Westfield Farmers Market Newsletter Week of September 22nd

For safety reasons, we ask that customers not enter the
Market grounds until the 12 noon opening bell.

For public health and safety, only service animals are permitted to enter the Market.

Parking for the Market
We know that parking has been challenging this season and we appreciate your patience while we work on easing the crunch in the back parking lot.  Market customers may not park in the lot at The Arbors next to the Market. That is private property, and reserved only for staff and visitors of The Arbors.  Any vehicles parked in the Arbors lot without permission are subject to being towed at the owner's expense. 
​ Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission will be at the Market performing public outreach for their upcoming Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) .  The RTP is their long-range transportation plan which guides planning activities, including state and federal funding for regional transportation planning and projects, over the next 20 years.   There will be a survey for anyone interested, and there will also be free giveaways for anyone who takes the survey.

Market Vendors

AeroGreen Urban Farm
Auntie Janet's Gifts
B's Breads **
Been's Beans Coffee
​Commonwealth Care Alliance
Crystal Clear Emotions
Della Terra Farm
Doce Mercer
​Firefly Fields
Growing with Minerals
Mark's Clay Creations

Meadow Burn Farm
​Mike's Crafts
Pignatare’s Farm
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission * 
​Pitchfork Farm
The Prop Shop Plants
Ray's Family Farm
​The Savoy
Sweet City
Sweet JJ's
Vlad's Fired Pizza
West Parish Orchard

While B's Breads is busy baking for the Big E and a Harvest Fair, Doce Mercer has graciously agreed to sell B's Bread at their booth this week. Thank you, Doce!

Music at the Market

    Marion Dunk and Chip Arnold    
12pm-2:30pm

 Ron Henrichon and Greg Hart
2:30pm-5pm

Vendor Spotlight: Ray's Family Farm

Ray's Family Farm, Inc has been a longstanding local operated farm stand run by the Brzoska family for three generations. Our commitment to providing our wonderful and loyal customers with the best and freshest produce at the most competitive price has withstood the generations. We provide our customers with the finest seasonal flowers, and are known for our highly prized geraniums, hanging baskets, and diverse and beautiful annuals and perennials. We are well known in Hampden County and beyond for our fine produce including the most luscious melons, tomatoes, sweet onions, cucumbers, beans, pickles, and so much more. We also offer a large variety of fall produce and customers a make a special trip to Ray's to purchase their prized Christmas trees and wreaths. We are open April 1st through December 23rd.

"Do you remember
The 21st night of September?
Love was changin' the minds of pretenders
While chasin' the clouds away
Our hearts were ringin'
In the key that our souls were singin'
As we danced in the night, remember
How the stars stole the night away, oh, yeah"

-Earth, Wind and Fire, September

Recipe of the Week

Honey Roasted Apples
by Sabrina Snyder

Crispy while soft, sweet while salty, these Honey Roasted Apples are an absolute amazing side for pork, chicken, and stuffed pastas.

Yield 4 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients 
2 Granny Smith apples
2 Braeburn or similar apples
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 425.

Remove the core of the apples and cut into 1 inch chunks, toss with lemon juice.

Heat a cast iron skillet on medium high heat with the butter in it.

When the butter begins to brown add the apples and kosher salt.

Sautee for 5 to 7 minutes until the edges start turning a rich brown color.

Add the honey and put in oven for about 8-10 minutes.

The apples should be tender but not mushy and richly caramelized.

Carefully serve with spatula, taking care not to smash them.

Rachel’s Table provides food via the vendors and patrons of the Westfield Farmers' Market to "Reduce Waste and Relieve Hunger." Market customers may bring unexpired non-perishable items from home, or make fresh produce purchases for Rachel's Table the day of the Market, and bring them to the Market Table, where they will be held until pickup at the end of the day. Rachel’s Table volunteers will deliver to agencies that feed the food insecure in Westfield as well as further into Hampden, Hampshire or Franklin Counties. Your purchases will go far in alleviating hunger amongst our neighbors. 

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