WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT M@D?

This week kicks off farmer’s market season, not just in the Wiregrass but pretty much in the whole US of A. While farmer’s markets have been around for many years, they seem to have come into vogue in the last 10 or 15 years becoming a favorite culinary and cultural experience.

What’s not to love? Fresh food is a given, but depending on the size and location other sights, sounds and treats are available. One of my favorite memories, dancing with my little grandson to live bluegrass, happened on opening day of the Memphis Farmer’s Market only four years ago.

Admittedly, M@D is only an open air tent market like that a few times a year. We LOVE setting up in person and interacting with the public, but not doing that as much or as often is one of the things that makes it possible for us to be here for you ALL THE TIME, not just in the summer months.

Another difference is accessibility. Everybody needs healthy nutritious food, but not everybody can even go to a grocery store, let alone walk around outside in the summer heat. Ordering online from the comfort of your home makes it possible for you to get even higher quality of fresh locally grown food.

And since I mentioned QUALITY – all of our vendors with farm produce have been screened to make sure their products line up with M@D’s sustainable standards. It is possible to find sustainably grown foods in traditional farmer’s markets* but that is the exception and not the norm as most growers use traditional methods that include GMO’s, chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

We remain committed to our core values of Fresh, Local, Sustainable, and Year Round and are perfectly ok that it means we’ll never be a huge market. We are just proud and happy to offer you the BEST.

* Avalon Farms will be participating in both Poplar Head and Ozark Farmer’s Market this summer.

GROWER & MARKET NOTES

NEW & RELISTED NEW – Zoodles**! Zucchini* – Avalon and Grows In Rows Patty Pan Squash* – Avalon Farms Zephyr Squash* – Avalon Farms *Avalon is offering squash in 2 lb bags – Avalon Farms **A Zoodle is a spiralized zucchini squash that makes an excellent low carb replacement for pasta in many recipes. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HORTONS FARM: Blast From the Past – If you are not a subscriber to the Dothan Nurseries newsletter we highly recommend you do so! We had a bit of fun after last weeks newsletter as JD shared some info with a new herb the Nursery is carrying – a Toothache Plant. The blast from the past part was our blog entry (from 2009!) about the Toothache Trees that grow on our property. It was fun sharing info and while your fearless market manager was on hand Friday I had to check out this new discovery.

I have to tell you – my trees have nothing on this little plant! Just as described, the leaf had an interesting flavor, and just as warned, the little yellow bud made my mouth feel like some kind of cool psychedelic explosion happened in there.

If you want to check out our trees copy and paste this link: https://beemusement101.blogspot.com/2009/09/more-weeds-to-love-well-if-i-keel-over.html . If you are fearless and brave or just up for an adventure, JD’s Tootheache Plant is in the Herb Shed at the Nursery.