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Celebrity Farmers: The Next Big Thing?

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

These days, it seems anything can make you a celebrity. We have celebrity artists, celebrity socialites, celebrity reality TV contestants, and, of course, celebrity chefs. So could celebrity farmers be far off?

In a recent James Beard Foundation writeup on the notion, Top Chef executive producer Shauna Minoprio was quoted as saying, "Celebrity farmers? It's a fabulous idea. I am 100 percent for it. I don't think it would take much work to interest people in a television series about farmers."

Here in the Bay Area, I constantly see farm names thrown around like designer labels on menus, like "Niman Ranch pork chop" or "Marin Roots Farm chicory." While it's true that San Francisco is the epicenter of the eating local movement, I know that the spotlight on farms has spread to certain parts of the country. Do you think this concept has the potential to catch on?

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7 Spectacular US Farmers Markets

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:50:45 -0700

Last week, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed Aug. 2-8 as National Farmers Market Week. In the past year, the number of farmers markets has grown nearly five percent, and there's good reason to get behind them: they're sustainable, community-driven, and personal. But perhaps most importantly, they're fun! While all farmers markets have a way with engaging all the senses, here are some of our top picks from across the country. Keep reading for greenmarkets worth seeking out.
Source: Flickr User ahl

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President Obama Hopes For White House Farmers Market

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:20 -0700

In March, Alice Waters and other supporters of the local food movement thought they'd finally gotten what they wanted when the Obamas announced the planting of an organic garden in the White House. But yesterday reformers were pleasantly shocked when President Obama announced his hopes to set up a farmers market at the White House. At the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum on Thursday, Barack Obama revealed that he and the first lady are looking into the idea of a farmers market outside the White House that would sell food from the White House garden or other local farmers:

"One of the things that we’re trying to do now is to figure out, can we get a little farmers’ market - outside of the White House . . . that is a win-win situation. It gives suddenly D.C. more access to good, fresh food, but it also is this enormous potential revenue-maker for local farmers in the area."

He also discussed the importance of connecting local farmers to school districts, in an effort to improve the federal school lunch program. I wholeheartedly applaud the idea - if established, it would be the first-ever White House farmers market, setting a landmark precedent for Americans to start shopping more frequently at farmers markets across the nation. Do you think President Obama will follow through on this idea?

Do You Eat at the Farmers Market?

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:15:59 -0700

At the Slow Food Nation market this weekend, there were about a dozen vendors who sold "fast" slow food - that is, sustainably produced food that was already prepared and ready to eat. The stands served everything from tamales to rotisserie chicken with potatoes, and people were eating all around me.

I'm curious to know: When you go to the farmers market, do you buy food that's ready to eat in addition to stocking up on your usual produce items?

First-Ever White House Farmers Market Makes Its Debut

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:50:44 -0700

Some legislation, like healthcare reform, might take a little more work for the White House to push through, but other initiatives, like the White House farmers market, are happening virtually overnight. Less than a month ago President Obama revealed that he and the first lady were looking into holding a farmers market outside the White House - and the plan's already come to fruition. At the opening of the FreshFarm market yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Washington DC mayor Adrian Fenty spoke to a crowd of about 300 shoppers about the importance of eating healthy, local food.

The visitor that drew the most attention was Michelle Obama, who encouraged Americans to get to know the farmers that grow the market's food, and stressed the importance of fresh markets, particularly in urban deserts.

Located at 810 Vermont Avenue, just blocks from the White House, the market runs Thursday afternoons through the end of October, and accepts food stamps. It sells pasture-raised meats, artisan cheeses, milk, yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, flowers, and preserves. DCers, have you had a chance to visit?

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Show Us Your Farmers Market Totebags!

partysugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:15:02 -0700

The culinary world is gearing up for Slow Food Nation. The festival, which celebrates local, sustainable farm-to-table food, is in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend. Slow Food encourages people to purchase seasonal produce from farmers markets in an environmentally-friendly manner. That means toting the goods in a reusable bag rather than a disposable one. In my opinion, carrying a fabulous farmers market tote is just as glamorous as sporting a designer handbag. Currently, I'm obsessed with this large, bright-blue tote by Chronicle Books. The tote perfectly demonstrated the publisher's motto ("see things differently") because it folds up into a flat book when not being used.

To celebrate Slow Food, we've (YumSugar will share hers later this week) both taken pictures with our beloved farmers market totes. and now we want you to do the same! Snap a pic of you with your favorite reusable farmers market bag and send it to us. You can use the Look Book feature on TeamSugar, post it in a blog, or on your own website. When everyone's submitted their photos (due date: Sept. 1), I'll do a giant post featuring everyone's pictures (and you don't have to cover your face, we're just shy!)!

To be included in the roundup, notify me via email with "YumSugar Farmers Market Tote" in the subject line, or personal message me with the following information:

- Name you want me to use
- Where you're from
- What farmers market you shop at
- Details about your favorite totebag
- Link to your Look Book, blog post, or website OR photo of you holding your favorite tote
- One short sentence on why you chose that tote

After we've received all of the submissions, we'll pick one lucky winner and send her her very own YumSugar tote! I can't wait to see your favorite totes.

Don't Forget to Show Us Your Farmers Market Totebags!

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:19 -0700

Currently, I'm bringing back this navy blue Marc by Marc Jacobs tote that I bought last year. It's soft and flexible, yet able to hold everything I buy. I love the way it pokes fun at itself as well as designer labels in general.
To celebrate Slow Food, both PartySugar and I have taken pictures (she debuted hers earlier this week) with our beloved farmers market totes, and now we want you to do the same! Snap a pic of you with your favorite reusable farmers market bag and send it to us. You can use the Look Book feature on TeamSugar, post it in a blog, or on your own website. When everyone's submitted their photos (due date: Sept. 1), I'll do a giant post featuring everyone's pictures (and you don't have to cover your face, we're just shy!)

To be included in the roundup, notify me via email with "YumSugar Farmers Market Tote" in the subject line, or personal message me with the following information:

- Name you want me to use
- Where you're from
- What farmers market you shop at
- Details about your favorite totebag
- Link to your LookBook, blog post, or website or photo of you holding your favorite tote
- One short sentence on why you chose that tote

After we've received all of the submissions, we'll pick one lucky winner and send her her very own YumSugar tote! I can't wait to see your favorite totes.

Come Party With Me: Farmers Market Feast - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:30:53 -0700

Turn your patio or backyard into an inviting and eclectic dining space for a meal inspired by the freshness of the farmers market. Set up a wooden table and put a placemat in front of each seat. Place a blue plate, napkin, low glass tumbler, and silverware on the placemats. Avoid being matchy matchy; instead mix prints and patterns all in the same color scheme. Arrange different-sized recycled metal lanterns into a centerpiece. To ensure that guests don't have to make a trip back inside for a cold beverage, fill a barrel cooler with ice, wine, and carafes of watermelon-rum mash. Skip the fancy floral arrangements normally associated with dinner parties. Head to a local home store and pick up some plantable flowers like petunias.

Place them in planters boxes near the dining area and you'll enjoy them all Summer long!

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YumSugar Gift Guide: The Farmers Market Mother

partysugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:15:57 -0800

Wondering what to get your mother this year? Encourage her to head to the farmers market with a hook-and-go cart. She can hang her reusable totes packed with fresh produce and products on the side hooks.

If she's too busy to make it to the market bring the farmers to her with a community shared agriculture box. Each week local, in-season fruit and vegetables will be delivered to her door!

For more gift ideas, browse the selection below. Check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Exploring the Farmers Market of Oahu

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:45:08 -0700

After sampling the tasty treats around Oahu, I had to stop by a farmers market to witness the local food revolution firsthand. Luckily, Kapiolani Community College hosts a weekly market on Saturdays. While the vendors sell everything from tomatoes to abalone, the deliciousness of fresh local pineapple is hard to beat. I arrived around 8 a.m. and found the market already bustling with activity. Here are the highlights.

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