1,600 People Enjoy Market Grand Opening

More than 1,600 people enjoyed the Grand Opening Celebration at the market on Saturday, May 30! Marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and some words from our guests, along with great entertainment from the Turkish Teen Dancers and RTOOT (the Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle), it was a gorgeous day to celebrate our community’s new market.

A special note of thanks goes out to speakers Jan Faulkner, mayor of Morrsiville; Tommy Esqueda, Environmental Services Director for Wake County; Brent Henry, County Extension Director; Jennifer Robinson of the Cary Town Council; and Lindy Brown, vice chair of the Wake County Commissioners. Morrisville Mayor Pro Tem Liz Johnson, Cary Councilman Erv Portman, and Leah Goodnight, retail manager of The Umstead Hotel and Spa, and her mother Ann Goodnight, also came out to enjoy the festivities.

Visitors enjoyed a delicious local treat of strawberry gazpacho prepared by Chef Scott Crawford of Herons in The Umstead Hotel & Spa. Ed Witkin of Solar Tech South shared information about solar energy and brought several solar “toys” to market; they were a big hit with the kids! Dr. Jiger Shah of Serene Smiles Dentistry was there to share information with the public about dental health and nutrition.

More than 50 shoppers went home with raffle prizes from our vendors, including everything from gift certificates for a bushel of peaches this summer to fresh seafood to produce to baked goods.

This market is all about bringing fresh, healthy, local ingredients to the community. Thanks to all who came out in support of our local farmers and vendors!

See you at the market next Saturday!

Grand Opening Celebration May 30!

Get ready for a big party this weekend at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market (WWFM)! We are celebrating our GRAND OPENING complete with special guests, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, entertainment and giveaways. All our amazing vendors will have their best products on hand for you to fill up your kitchen with fresh, healthy, local options starting at 8 AM.

Here’s a peak at what we’ve planned:

• Ribbon-cutting Ceremony: 9:45 AM. You won't want to miss the opportunity to hear about how and why we got started.
• Prizes from our vendors every half hour, starting at 8 AM.
• Entertainment: bring a blanket and chair for the 10:15 AM performance of the Turkish Teen Dancers, who are sure to thrill all ages. At the other end of the market, enjoy the sounds RTOOT (The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle), a unique 75-piece symphony orchestra, at 11:00 AM.
• We have two special education features this week. Dr. Jiger Shah of Serene Smiles Dentistry, a sponsor of the WWFM located right in Carpenter Village Marketplace, will discuss nutrition and dentistry. Also visit with Ed Witkin of Solar Tech South who can answer all your questions about solar energy.
• Local Tastes and Talk: Chef Scott Crawford of Herons in The Umstead Hotel and Spa, a sponsor of the WWFM, will serve a dish using market ingredients and share his "tricks of the trade" about cooking with local foods.

Be sure to visit several new vendors: Iron Gate Vineyards, Fickle Creek Farms, and Cary’s own La Farm Bakery. See you Saturday at the celebration!

Vendor Applications

We are no longer accepting new vendor applications for the 2009 season other than seasonal or currently non-represented produce. Interested vendors may apply for the 2010 season.

Suburban Girls Shellin’ Peas

This afternoon, my 5-year-old daughter did something few suburban kids do these days: She helped me shell fresh peas for dinner. In fact, I’m not sure I have ever done this, having been raised a suburban girl myself. It was great fun! I bought the peas on Saturday at the market, and I’ll admit I thought they were sugar snap peas at first. With a great big smile on his wise and knowing face, the farmer corrected me. I laughed at my mistake and happily purchased them.

So today we sat outside in the spring sunshine with a colander and a bowl for the husks. My daughter struggled a bit at first, but soon got the hang of “unzipping” the peapods. We quickly got a rhythm going. I’m not sure what my favorite part of this activity was: watching my daughter take part in this wholesome and kind of "old-fashioned" activity or listening to her personal insights about the peas. “Each one is unique. Some have small peas, big peas, and medium peas. Some have five and some only have two!” she pronounced with enthusiasm. She also told me she couldn’t believe how good she was at shelling peas the first time she tried. Indeed!

Make a “Green” Grocery Bag from Your Old T-shirt!

A big thank you to Jennifer Blakeslee who brought her sewing machine to the market on May 23 to show everyone how to repurpose their old tshirts into new market grocery bags. The whole family got involved, especially the dads.

Jennie is a Montessori School teacher who is earning her accreditation as an environmental educator. Jennie has a passion for introducing children to all aspects of nature, and helping them learn to be a part of environmental protection and preservation. She brings creativity and imagination to the work she does with children and adults.

Hugs for Honey Bunnies from Great Harvest Bread!

We would like to give a big thanks to our delicious bakery vendor, Great Harvest Bread Co. $2 from each scrumptious honey bunny they sold during the Easter season went to the WWFM and it turned out to be a very sizable donation. The WWFM wholeheartedly thanks Great Harvest Bread Co. for their support.

Board of Directors WWFM Inc.

Juliann Zoetmulder

President

Lisa Flanagan

Vice President

Janice Crawford

Secretary

Jim Pellegrini

Treasurer

Kevin Gordon

Operations Manager

Learning at the Market – COMPOSTING

On May 2 Brian Rosa shared the ins and outs of worm composting at the Market Education Tent. For more information go to:
www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/ag473-18.html

Bountiful Harvests on Opening Day!

Colorful offerings brought smiles to the many faces that visited the Western Wake Farmers' Market on May 2.

With over 1100 visitors on Opening Day, vendors sold out quickly and promised to supply even more fresh, whole foods this weekend.

Many folks gathered around the Education Tent for some fun, hands-on learning about worm composting from expert Brian Rosa.

Decide what's for dinner and shop fresh this Saturday between 8:00 AM and noon at the WWFM located at 1226 Morrisville Carpenter Rd in Cary.