MARKET CHITCHAT

Summer Break Announcement This newsletter starts the first of two ordering cycles before Market at Dothan takes a short Summer Break with the last pickup date July 3. There will be no newsletter on Saturday July 4 and no Market pickup on Friday, July 11. Summer Break gives all our farmers a much needed breather and a chance to plan. We encourage you to order extra of the items you may need during the off week and of course you’re welcome to contact any of our growers directly if needed.

Do you read Product Descriptions? They can be very interesting! We learned this week while listing some of Sandy Valley’s new products that Raven zucchini are high in the antioxidant lutein, and that the Tempest yellow squash was developed for chef quality organic production. How cool is that? It will take some time to go through all 343 listings currently on the Market but go we shall!

Do you have any special 4th of July foods or traditions you enjoy year after year? If you’d love to share we’d love to publish them in next week’s newsletter.

GROWER NOTES

We have the best Growers in the Wiregrass! Please learn more about them on our Grower Page.

DANNY’S GREENS: Danny is only listing onions and carrots this week. The lettuce is growing much slower now because of the summer heat and needs time to grow to cutting size.

SANDY VALLEY: Scotty is excited to introduce three new products to the Market this week and wants everyone to know that if everything grows right he’ll have plenty of both corn on the cob and watermelons available for your 4th of July celebration.

Left to Right: Tempest Yellow Squash, Farmer’s Wonderful Watermelon & Raven Zucchini

LAURA’S CONFECTIONS: “Ghirardelli chocolate is dirt!” A familiar face at the Market said this to me a while ago and caught me so off-guard I was struck dumb. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but as someone who takes enormous pride and professionalism in bringing to you my very best efforts and ingredients I was deeply hurt by her opinion. The number of orders I process each week is modest leaving no allowance to purchase ingredients in bulk. I pay retail prices for everything and take special care in evaluating everything included in your orders. The reason I use Ghirardelli chocolate is based on taste, texture, and consistency. Somewhat more expensive it allows me to offer wonderful flavor at a price I believe is within reason. In comparison, Amedei is considered the best chocolate in the world. There are 20 ounces of chocolate in a 9" Triple Chocolate Cheesecake bringing the cost of the chocolate alone to approximately $170.00. Ghirardelli is a very fine baking chocolate I will continue to use until something better comes along at a price I believe is reasonable. 
I am on a constant quest challenging myself to learn advanced techniques and bake with the best ingredients at my disposal. I now use aluminum free baking powder and organic, terpeneless citrus extracts. If ever I fill an order you find unsatisfactory, never hesitate to inform me and allow me the opportunity to make things right. I am most thankful and grateful for your constancy, trust and business. Laura King

FOOTNOTES

We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite recipe, want to write a product review, have an idea or request for an article or information, let us know! You can reply to this newsletter or write marketatdothan@gmail.com.

Our COVID protocol is still in place for everyone who wants curbside service.

I. Order Payment:
1. Voluntarily prepay by 6 pm Thursday if possible using this PAYPAL link. This eliminates passing paper currency back and forth or handling debit/credit cards on site. Your invoice will be marked PAID and pickup is fast and easy. In the event of undelivered items you will be issued a Market credit that will apply to your next order.
2. Debit/Credit – One of us will briefly step within 6 feet for you to put your card in the chip reader. We do our best to avoid touching your card or you touching the equipment which means we sign an “x” for your signature.
3. Cash and Checks – You may hand them to us. Exact change is preferred if using cash to prevent a lot of passing back and forth. If you choose curbside pickup you are welcome to put payment in your trunk/tailgate as that would eliminate the need to come near your window.

II. Order Delivery:
1. Curb Service: Please pull up next to the Market Shed. We will direct traffic a little bit if needed. Have your trunk/ hatchback open and we’ll load you up!
2. Walk Up Pickup: Please do not come inside. When we see you coming we’ll put your order near the entrance and step back for you to claim it. This system works really well for those of you wishing to get extra veggies that may be available.
3. Regardless of how you choose to accept your Market order please know that we make every effort to practice safe distancing and ask that you do the same.