Final indoor market is April 21!

Spring is in the air as we invite you to come get grounded at the farmers’ market. Support the folks who work year-round to bring you micro-roast coffee, free range and organic meat and poultry, fromage frais and other cheeses, lots of spinach and other fresh greens, onions, microgreens, potatoes, maple syrup, handmade soaps and lotions, eggs, lovely preserves and mustards as well as creative hop products, art guild treasures, and don’t forget the daikon radish!

We’re at the First Baptist Church in Bennington, 601 East Main Street, from 10am to 1pm on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of April. And mark your calendars, we’re moving back outdoors for the May 5 market!

April 21
Entertainment: Rosin the Beaux

Cookbook swap: Don’t miss your chance to find new inspiration – stop by the John G McCullough Library table to swap a cookbook for one filled with new inspiration.

Bennington College hosting Earth Day activities: Celebrate Earth Day with the Bennington Seed Library and a fun Earth-themed stamping activity.

The Bennington Seed Library, located in Bennington College’s Crossett Library, is a collection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds that community members can borrow for free. People grow the plants in their yard or community garden, harvest seeds from some of the plants they’ve grown, and return to the Library to replenish the collection and share the seeds with others.

Bennington College student Joana Santos will join the Bennington College table at the market on April 21. Of the seed library, when it was created last year, Santos said “You can save seeds for many traits — let’s save for resilience, let’s save for plants that we can easily take care of and are nutritious….Long term, maybe we’ll have developed local varieties of food and ornamentals that thrive in the Bennington area and preserved some heirloom types that are getting lost. I think raising the question of where your seeds come from and what that means and developing relationships and collaborations between community members is already a pretty good impact.”

Membership for the seed library is free. Join us at the April 21st market to join the library and in doing so participate in the act of both building relationships and collaborating for the sustainability of Earth. Can’t make it on April 21? Keep up with the library on Facebook and their website.

March 3 at the Market

Entertainment: Sam Diedrich (piano, vocals) and Leo Cohen (guitar) make up two thirds of Bennington College band, Aviation.

Free screenings: Bennington Free Clinic & SVC nursing students are conducting blood pressure & blood sugar screenings

Bennington College giveaways: Stop by their table near the manager’s table for reusable giveaways for the first 50 people

Cookbook swap: Stop by the John G McCullough Library table to swap a cookbook for one filled with new inspiration

Manager’s Table: Stop by for a signature Bennington Farmers’ Market glass for $5

Fun after the Market:
The Dorset Players present Mothers and Sons
VAE’s Winter Basement Music Series: Aubrey Logan

A Successful Cookbook Swap!
Thank you to all who participated in our first cookbook swap at the market last month! Due to the popularity of the recent cookbook swap, the John G. McCullough Library will continue offering the swap table at coming markets. Peruse your cookbook shelf to trade in gently used cookbooks for fresh culinary inspiration with your fresh market fare.

Talk on Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting community wellness, the Bennington Farmers’ Market will present an information session on transitioning to a vegan lifestyle Saturday, March 17. Mount Anthony Union High School sophomore and food enthusiast Gabriela Griffin-Leon will begin her talk at 10:30 AM in the Lounge of Bennington First Baptist Church.

At Griffin-Leon’s information session she will discuss how she began her vegan journey, how she maintains a healthy vegan lifestyle in social settings, and even share some recipes she has created for mac n cheese, corn chowder, fat-free French fries, and blondies!

Guidelines for Mac and Cheese Cook-off

mac and cheeseThis event is first and foremost a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels and designed to promote fun!

That being said, we do have a few rules:

  • $5 entry fee per crock-pot. All entries must be homemade (even Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese is not allowed. It wouldn’t win anyway, we hope.)
  • Tables, serving utensils, and power will be provided.
  • Bring entry(s) to the First Baptist Church, 601 Main St., Bennington by 9:30 on January 20 and plan on being there to serve (there will be people who can spot you for bathroom breaks, etc.).
  • We’ll begin selling tickets at 10 a.m. and continue untill about 12:30, when votes will be gathered and counted. Winners will be announced around 12:45.
  • Samples will be approximately 1/3 of a cup, about the size of a ladle or large serving spoon.
  • A list of ingredients must be provided near your entry for those with food allergies.
  • Any size slow-cooker is allowed. In fact, for your sake, the bigger the better because …
  • Judging is done by attendees, who purchase tickets for $1 each or 6 for $5. Each ticket entitles the holder to one sample and one vote. The more samples you sell, the better your chances of coming in first, so it pays to get as many of your friends and family members to come out. Tell them to vote early and often!
  • The top three entries will win a wooden spoon (gold, silver and bronze) as well as other prizes. The top vote-getter wins a $50 gift card from King Arthur Flour.

Thanks for your interest and good luck!!!

Jan 20 – Second Annual Macaroni & Cheese Competition

It’s time to dust off the cheese graters and casserole dishes for the Bennington Farmers Market’s Second Annual Macaroni and Cheese Competition to benefit the Bennington County Meals on Wheels program Saturday, January 20.

Last year’s event was a big success with more than a dozen delicious dishes delighting the palates of attendees. More than $400 was raised for Meals on Wheels, the figure to beat this year.

Over $100 dollars in prizes have been provided by the King Arthur Flour company, including a $50 gift certificate for the chef who creates the winning mac and cheese. Entrants pay a $5 entry fee and bring a large slow-cooker full of their best Mac and Cheese. Patrons purchase tickets which give them samples and votes. Everyone leaves with full stomachs and the satisfaction of participating in a good cause.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to join the fun as chefs or samplers. Interested cooks may sign up at the Bennington Farmers’ Market manager’s table Saturday, January 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bennington, 601 Main Street, or by contacting Audrey Pietrucha at vermontvanilla@gmail.com.

Outdoor Market Opening Day is May 6

Join us for the first outdoor market: Saturday, May 6, 10am-1pm!

photo of herb startsWe’ll be back outside at the Riverwalk Park near the Station Restaurant (150 Depot St.) The stage is all assembled for The Ransom Notes, Tim Marr will lead a Green Up group to clean the park and riverside, and the children’s tent will be run by Growing Up Right.

Come visit your favorite vendors, and stock up on great food for the week!

 

Musical entertainment announced for the 2017 outdoor market!

Photo of belly dancers

MAY
6 The Ransom Notes
13 Dave Kellner, David Banulis
20 Bud and James
27 Chris Giannitti (Mowgli)

JUNE
3 Barry Hyman
10 Cosby Gibson
17 Joe Tucker
24 Steve Spensley

JULY
1 Bruce Wheat
8 Beledi Tribal Bellydance
15 Passin Thru
22 Linda Cullum
29 Trio Cafe Budapest

AUGUST
5 Cindy and Kelly
12 Gus Bloch
19 Scott Forrest
26 Deena Chappell

SEPTEMBER
2 Bernice Lewis
9 TBA
16 Aura Shards
23 TBA
30 Ms. Wicker and Mr. Tony Elbow

Can Your Mac & Cheese Compete?

mac and cheese

Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m. till noon:
Think about entering our Macaroni and Cheese Cook Off! The competition is open to mac and cheese aficionados of all ages and skill levels, including everyday fans of the creamy comfort food, amateur chefs, and local restauranteurs.

To participate, sign up at one of our upcoming markets, or contact Audrey at the phone/email listed below.

Bring a hot crock pot full of your best recipe by 9:30 the day of the competition.

Samples of the entries will be for sale for $1 each to patrons, who will cast ballots for their favorites. Votes will be counted starting at noon, though samples will still be available for sale.

Prizes will be awarded at 12:30 to the top three entrants.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Bennington County Meals on Wheels.

For a list of rules or for more information please contact Audrey Pietrucha at 802-733-6981 or at vermontvanilla@gmail.com.