Events

Friday March 14th Announcements

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Sweetwater  Local Foods Market –

What’s New for Friday, March 14,  2014

Hello Friends of Sweetwater

No, this is not your regular Market Email, but we have a few things we wanted to be sure to share this weekend. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 15th, will be the last Saturday that we are closed until after Christmas!

Sweetwater Community Gathering on Sunday, March 30, 2014.

Please see the Poster at link below regarding an event coming up on Sunday, March 30th from 2-6 at Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven.  While we know that the market has always been a gathering place for those of us who love and appreciate healthy local food, we thought it was time to sit down and share a meal together as a community. Bill Bobier of Earthscape Farm will be speaking, and the menu will be local, of course!

Poster is  here: http://sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/mar-30-spring-gatherfinal2.pdf

Time to Sign Up for Community Supported Agriculture!  This is the time of year we usually have a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Day at the market, but both because of the crazy weather and because there are only two farms involved in CSA this year, we are publishing the information about them in this email.

The most basic answer to the question “What is Community Supported Agriculture?”  is that of eaters supporting growers in the most direct way possible. Members of a farm’s CSA pay up-front ahead of the season when farmers are most in need of money for seed, supplies and equipment. In return eaters are guaranteed a share of the farm’s harvest. The CSA community is one of shared risk and shared reward, empowering both consumers with the knowledge of where their food comes from and farmers with a more secure market for the fruits (and vegetables, leaves & shoots) of their hard work. Please give consideration to one of these farms this season.

 

Funny Farm of Grant

Jim & Barb Loe

13181 Centerline Rd.

Grant, MI

funyfarm@riverview.net

We’ve been farming organically for over 20 years. Going into our 12th year as a CSA farm, we are now accepting new members for 2014 season. Full & half shares available. Call 231-234-8643 or stop by our booth at Sweetwater Local Foods Market for more information.

 

Five Oaks Farm of Montague

Dustin Anderson, Farm Manager

6543 Hancock Rd.

Montague, MI 49437

fiveoakscsa@gmail.com

Although we’ve always grown organically in the almost 30 years we’ve been here, this is our 2nd year operating as a Community Supported Ag farm. We’re accepting applications for both full & half shares and this year we’re also offering a Market Share for those who cannot consistently use a box of vegetables every week. For an application and to learn more about our farm, please visit our farm website at http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/2014-share-application.html

We will also be at Sweetwater Mkt with information, or you can call (231)292-1152.

Saturday, October 26th: Customer Appreciation Day!

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Sweet Cust App Day

Customer Appreciation Day to Open Winter Season at Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, October 26th, 9:00am to 1:00pm

Sweetwater Local Foods Market will open its Saturday indoor winter market season at Mercy Lakes Campus, 6401 Prairie St., Muskegon, with a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 26th. Market hours are from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Shoppers can expect to sample items from many of the vendors and can also enter a drawing to win one of 12 Sweetwater Market bags, each of which will have a coupon for free items from Sweetwater vendors.

During the winter season, the market will be open every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm through December 28th. The market will then be closed on January 4th and will re-open January 11th and every other Saturday until the end of February. “Since we began our winter market in 2006 we have always stayed with an every other Saturday market from January until May,” said Market Manager Diana Jancek, “but now that we have six farms utilizing season-extending hoophouses in their farm businesses we find that we need to go back to an every Saturday schedule much sooner. It’s a good problem to have.”

Sweetwater Local Foods Market is a “values based” farmer’s market whose goal is to provide excellent food & products along with education about healthy nutrition, ecologically sound farming, and the value of buying local. “Our market slogan, ‘Healthy. Humane. Homegrown. Local food you can trust.’ says it all, ” said Jancek. “All vendors sign a Pledge to Our Customers that spells out the practices they must conform to in order to sell at the market.”

Living Downstream Documentary Screening in Muskegon March 27th

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concept 3c

PRESS RELEASE   PRESS RELEASE   PRESS RELEASE

 What: Screening & Panel Discussion of the documentary film Living Downstream

Where: Muskegon Community College- Stevenson Center, Room 1100

When: Wednesday, March 27th, 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Co-Sponsors: Sweetwater Center for Organic Opportunity &

Muskegon Community College Sustainability Task Force

Living Downstream

Critically acclaimed documentary film details the life and work of biologist and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber

March 11, 2013 – A new documentary film that has met with sold-out shows across the continent, standing ovations in major centers from Boston to Toronto, and rave reviews in media outlets such as The Washington Post, is screening at Muskegon Community College – Stevenson Center  on Wednesday, March 27th from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

Like the book on which the film is based, Living Downstream documents the growing body of scientific evidence that links human health with the health of our environment and concludes that the best way to beat cancer is by preventing it in the first place.

Living Downstream is directed by Chanda Chevannes of The People’s Picture Company (The PPC).  “The film follows Sandra, who is on a journey,” says Chanda, “but the chemicals against which she is fighting are also on the move.  We follow these invisible toxins as they migrate to some of the most beautiful places in North America.  We see how these chemicals enter our bodies, and how, once inside, scientists believe they may be working to cause cancer.”

Panel Discussion: Living Downstream and the Movement Towards  Healthier Local Food

After viewing the hour-long documentary there will be a brief intermission followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A period with the audience. Diana Jancek, Director of Sweetwater Center for Organic Opportunity, will moderate. Panelists will include:

Claire Schlaff
Claire worked for Muskegon Public Schools as an occupational therapist from 1978-2002. In response to her son, Doug’s, death of Ewing Sarcoma in 2008 at the age of 35, and news reports of several other young White Lake area residents being diagnosed with cancer, Claire wanted to know more about the causes of cancer and about possible environmental links to cancer. From 2009-2012 she and a group of volunteers conducted the White Lake Area Cancer Mapping Project, and she is currently in communication with organizations about mapping and analysis of the data.

Patrice Bobier
Earthscape Farm & Full Circle Midwifery
Patrice is a farmer and Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), credentialed through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and since 1977 has personally attended over 1400 home births. She and her husband have lived on their 260 acre farm since 1972,  raising kids and grandkids as well as organic meats and vegetables.

Patty Oltean
ImproveAble Feast http://improveablefeast.com/

The Energy of Cancer http://theenergyofcancer.com/
Holding a degree in Environmental Communications, Patty is an athlete, a yoga and pilates instructor, a mom, wife, a cook, and is passionate about connecting the dots between how we treat our planet and how we treat our bodies. She holds workshops in West Michigan for cancer support groups, and for those wanting to learn more about cancer prevention.

The screening is being co-sponsored by Sweetwater Center for Organic Opportunity,  a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Muskegon County whose mission is to educate, advocate and celebrate organic agriculture and food production, both on our farms and in our urban landscapes, and the Muskegon Community College Sustainability Task Force

For more information on Living Downstream and public screenings, visit: http://www.livingdownstream.com

For more information on this event, please contact:

Media contact persons:

 Diana Jancek, Director

Sweetwater Center for Organic Opportunity

Phone: (231) 292-1152

Email: dijaan1@charter.net

or:

Darlene DeHudy, Co-Chair

MCC Sustainability Task Force

Phone: (231) 780-2799

 

 

 

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week Aug 1-7!

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National Farmers Market Week Aug 1-7!

For Immediate Release

Contact : Diana Jancek

(231)893-3937

dijaan@charter.net

August 1, 2010

SWEETWATER LOCAL FOODS MARKET CELEBRATES

NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK

United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed August 1-7, 2010 as National Farmers Market Week.

This year marks the 11th annual National Farmers Market Week.  Since the USDA began declaring National Farmers Market Week in 2000, the number of farmers markets has almost doubled, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to 5,274 in 2009.

According to the USDA, Sweetwater Local Foods Market is one of the approximately 6,000 in the country operating in 2010, of the more than 220 in Michigan. The Sweetwater Local Foods Market began in 2005, and currently has 16 farmers selling a wide variety of products at the area’s only year-round farmers market, including Certified Organic blueberries, Certified Naturally Grown pastured poultry, pork, & beef, organic baked goods, goat & cow cheeses, and so much more! The market was one of a small handful to accept SNAP/EBT Bridge Cards back in 2006, along with Project Fresh Coupons. Vendors also regularly donate to area food banks.

“Farmers markets are good for you for health, good for your community, and good for the economy” says Stacy Miller, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition, a nonprofit supporting farmers markets across the country.  “During Farmers Market Week, we invite everyone to celebrate the freshest foods from America’s most entrepreneurial farmers by supporting their local farmers markets.”

“Our market slogan is ‘Healthy, Humane & Homegrown’, and we think that philosophy accounts for why our market is growing in popularity every year” says Diana Jancek, Market Manager of Sweetwater Local Foods Market. “Come celebrate National Farmers Market Week with us!”

.Other facts about farmers markets:

  • California, New York, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Kentucky are the states with the most farmers markets.
  • The USDA estimates that farmers markets provide income opportunities for at least 150,000 direct-marketing farmers and food producers across the country.
  • More than 870 markets operate nationwide between November and May in 2009, a time often considered ‘off season.’  This number is growing rapidly.
  • It’s estimated that approximately $1.3 billion in direct farm-to-consumer sales occurred in farmers markets in 2009.
  • Farmers markets accepted over $44 million in WIC (Women, Infant and Children) and SFNP (Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program) vouchers in 2009 – making fresh food available to millions of low income families.
  • More than 1,000 farmers markets are estimated to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in 2010.  Between 2008 and 2009, the amount of SNAP dollars redeemed at farmers markets increased more than 100%.
  • Farmers at farmers markets donate hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local social service agencies across the country each year.

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Celebrate! Sweetwater Turns 5 & our Queen of the Market turns 100!

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Happy Birthday Jeanette - 100 years and going strong!

CELEBRATE!

Michigan’s oldest farmers market vendor and
Sweetwater Local Foods Market celebrate birthdays
with special “Pasture-Raised Local Meat”

On Saturday, July 3rd the Sweetwater Local Foods Market celebrates its 5th Birthday (since founding in 2005) with the opening of month-long “Pasture-Raised Local Meat” sale. The sale will begin with cake and music in celebration of the 100th birthday of our official “Queen of the Market” – Jeanette Keiser of Marne.

“Our market’s farmers sell a great variety of meats produced from animals raised gently on pasture and according to organic principles,” said Market Market Diana Jancek. “Their beef, pork, lamb, and poultry has no equal in Michigan. It is what really sets our market apart. We even have goat meat.”

Samples of Nathan Creswick’s sausages will be grilled between 11am and 12 noon on Saturday, July 3rd. “Creswick’s sausages are famous locally for their excellent flavor and high quality,” continued Jancek. “Nathan lives to make great lamb, pork and beef sausage. His Braunschweiger is so good that we have to warn people not to get addicted.”

Other Sweetwater Market meat vendors include Earthscape Farm, Liberty Family Farm, and Hickory Ridge Family Farm. All raise their animals on pasture using no GMO feed, antibiotics or hormones. “This is the best meat in Michigan,” said Jancek.

Stop by the Agriculture & Health Alive booth anytime during the market and wish Jeanette Keiser a happy 100th birthday and have a piece of birthday cake with her. Live birthday music will be provided by the Front Porch Pickers.

For more information contact Diana Jancek at 231-893-3937 or 231-670-4817 (mobile). Email her at dijaan@charter.net. For more information and directions to the market visit our website at…

Father’s Day Specials and a Special Musical Guest!

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Sweetwater Local Foods Market
Saturday, June 19th, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Partners/Hackley Health at the Lakes
On Harvey St just 1/2 mile North of Pontaluna Rd.
We are a Bridge Card market

All Eligible Vendors Gladly Accept the Bridge Card!

Father’s Day Specials & A Special Musical Guest!

Join us from 9 to 11 this Saturday & hear Ukulele maestro Aaron Lee! Aaron is touring the country this summer playing songs from his newest release, The Ukulele Project.

This Week’s Vendors

Fruitful Acres of Manistee

Hugh Bowling returns with his “Jewel” certified organic strawberries.

Earthly Kneads of Muskegon

Father’s Day Specials – We’re making it easy to make dinner and dessert for dad this Sunday! Pizza crusts, just top & bake. Parmesan, Herbed, or Cheddar & Onion Flatbreads, just split and stuff with goodies instant sandwiches. Shortcakes all ready for making strawberry shortcake. Pick up some of Fruitful Acre’s beautiful strawberries to go on them. Roasted Spring Garlic and Onion Bread made with spring onions from Earthscape Farm and spring garlic from Frasure Farms. Lavash Crackers, perfect for snacking or dipping in hummus. STRUDELS!!! Either Apple Cinnamon with cream cheese or Apple Lemon & Fig (this is a delicious combination!). These are made with a flaky organic crust and the last of our fresh local apple stash. No more apple goodies until the fall!  There’s nothing like a warm piece of strudel topped with a little bit of vanilla ice cream. YUM!

Bread – 100% Whole Grain Spelt, Seeded Spelt, Peasant Bread, Tuscan Bread, Italian Rosemary, Regular Challah with or without poppyseeds

Scones – Blueberry Lemon, Cinnamon Raisin, Apricot Almond

Muffins – Blueberry Pie, Rhubarb Pie

Cookies – Cinnamon Raisin Sunflower Butter Cookies, HUGE! Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies, Coconut Pecan Macaroons, Peanut Butter Cookies, and more!

We’ll have granola, gorp, and muesli, too.

Shiitake Mushrooms – fresh and dried available this week!

We will also have our usual assortment of Naturally Nutty Nut Butters and Food for Thought Preserves, Hot Sauces, and Salsa.

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

Veggies this week ~  Carrots!  Chinese Cabbage! Broccoli!  Kale! The last of the Spinach;  Mixed Salad Greens;  Head lettuces including Anuenue and Michelle Crisp-head; Turnip greens,  Red Scallions; Radishes; Cilantro, Parsley, Rosemary, fresh Oregano.

Chive Plants; Plus 2 kinds of parsley – Flatleaf Gigante d’Italia and Curly Krauss.

BEEF ~  We will have  beef by the pound and package at Sweetwater on Saturday.  Steaks, roasts, ground beef,  stew meat, cubed steak, soup bones, heart.  SALE!  Chuck and Arm Roasts 10% off.  Also  ground beef in 10 + # quantities  (1-2# packages) for $3.50 per lb.

We  have Quarters of our Grass-Fed Beef FOR SALE!  It is getting butchered soon.  Order a quarter now and you can have it cut & packaged the way you want, or get our standard cut.  Email pbobier@voyager.net or call for details.

ON SALE!  Organic Olive Oil ~ Choose your favorite bottle. 10% off.
HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE ~  I’ll be bringing a new shipment of 1# bags.
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG ~  http://www.earthscapefarm.blogspot.com

Ayurvedic Farm of Montague

Customers who love Microgreens will be thrilled to learn that we now have a regular vendor for them! Chris Brooks and Rebecca Todd will be bringing their signature mix of radish, broccoli microgreens, to be cut fresh at the market. Also: handmade soy candles & garden art.

Dancing Goat Creamery of Byron Center

The creamery produces award winning Chevre cheese which is used at several local restaurants and is now available at Sweetwater!  Barbara Jenness is owner and Master Cheesemaker. Try the delicious Spring Roll Chevre: Fresh goat cheese infused with spring chives & a signature pansy!

Also at the Dancing Goat booth, find Little Rooster Breads from the Lubbers Farm on-farm bakery run by son Casey Lubbers. Please check the Little Rooster website for a description of how these wonderful breads are produced.

The creamery is on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dancing-Goat-Creamery/178787637813?ref=ts

Little Rooster Bread Company info: http://www.littlerooster.net

Creswick Farms of Ravenna

Pastured Raised, Antibiotic & Hormone Free, Artisanal Meats
Featuring this week
FOR THE GRILL
Ground Lamb (1 lb. packages)
Chicago Style Hog Dogs
Garlic Kielbasa Sausage
Moroccan Lamb Sausage
Chicken Spinach Feta Sausag
Apple Chicken Sausage
BEEF
Hamburger Patties (1/3@), Flank Steak, Gourmet Patties, Filet Mignon
PASTURE RAISED, SOY FREE POULTRY
Chicken Breasts, Chicken Leg Quarters, ground chicken in 1# bulk pkgs.
PORK
Pork Chops, Pork Tenderloin, Hickory Bacon, Apple Bacon, Bacon Ends for Soup Seasoning
SPECIALTY SAUSAGES & MEATS
Braunschweiger
Ring Bologna
Chorizo
Deli Ham Slices
Pepperoni Slices
Breakfast Sausage (Bulk 1 lb. packages + links)
Italian Bulk Sausge (1 lb. packages)
Meat Snack Sticks
Panchetta
Soy Free Eggs: Available by pre-order only (see below).
Important Notice Regarding Pre-Orders: If you pre-order meat you will have to pick it up on Saturday by no later than 12:00 noon or the items will be put back in stock. If you have an emergency and can’t make it you can call the cell phone to reach me before the noon cut-off at 231.670.4817. Thanks!

Pre-Orders: Email Chris Bedford at chrisbedford@charter.net by no later than Monday morning  before the next market and he will have it ready for you to pick up on Saturday. For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com

Grassfields Farm of Coopersville

Raw Milk, Organic Cheese

Gouda, Gouda w/dill, Gouda w/cumin (Leyden), Edam, Gouda w/chili, Lamont Cheddar,

Hickory Ridge Family Farm
Pastured Poultry. Whole chicken &  cuts including chicken breast & leg quarters, wings, soup stock. Chickens raised on pasture & supplemented with either certified organic feed from Grahams Organic, or non-organic but not GMO feed from a local farm co-op.

Garlic scapes.

Eggs.

We still have an small assortment of Happy Hill Frozen Turkey & Chicken.

McLaughlin Grows! Urban Farm of Muskegon

Dustin Anderson, farm manager of this new inner city urban farm sponsored by Community EnCompass, returns with heads of Romaine lettuce, bagged mixed greens. Easter egg radishes and herbs.

Harmony Gardens of Montague

From the Hoophouse: Hakurei Turnips. Arugula. Kales. Lettuces. Green onions.

Olson Farm of Shelby

Jim Olson will be bringing his 2010 batch of Taste of Spring Maple Syrup, lettuces, and possibly strawberries.

Liberty Family Farm & Abundant Harvest Bakery of Hart

From the farm:

Fresh Pasture Raised Chicken. Fed non-GMO grains, supplemented with flaxseed. Whole chickens, Boneless Skinless Breast, leg quarters, wings & livers.

Grassfed Beef. 1# ground beef,patties, soupbones, oxtail. tongue & liver.

Grassfed Goat & Lamb all cuts available. Chops, steaks, shanks, ground and ribs.

From The Bakery

Fresh baked pies, cookies & breads!

From the Garden

Fresh specialty greens & lettuces!

Agriculture & Health Alive of Marne

Garden supplies. We will have 10 oz to 10# sizes of various garden supplements, like Berry Mix, Liquid Fish & Kelp concentrates, Maxicrop, Dry Kelp Meal, Milky spore & Diatomaceous Earth.

From the bookshelf: Ask Mother Nature: A Conscious Gardeners Guide, by Ellen Vandevisse. Or How to Grow More Vegetables, by John Jeavons.

Also: Nantucket Bakery Cinnamon Raisin Bread and other baked goods.

Northern Naturals Cherry Concentrate. Blackstrap molasses, honey & maple syrup.

HandCrafteds

Good for the body & soul!

Imagination to Creation Jewelry of North Muskegon

Inventory reduction sale…All Swarovski crystal on sale at 30% off !!!
Who knows, maybe a piece you’ve been eyeing will be there.  1 Day only!
I will also have the 50% off men, boys and young lady’s jewelry table.  Hope to see you there!

Soul Infusions of Cedar Springs

Ready for the gallon jug, Sun Tea Bags will be $3.00 ea or 2 for $5.00

Stock up on summer herbs and salts for grilling. Lots of tea and we will be sampling “Almond Blossom oolong” iced tea..also for sale by the glass $2.00. See you Saturday!

Brittanie’s Thyme of Cedar Springs

We will return to the market on June 26th. See you then!

Bee & Botanical of Spring Lake

Stop by and check out our wonderful beeswax candles, certified organic soaps, lip balms, lavender sachets and other great organic and natural products. Candles are made with 100%  pure Michigan beeswax and 100% cotton wicks.

Certified Organic Soaps in Peppermint, Grapefruit, Lemongrass Tea, Northern Forest and others wonderful scents made with essential oils (no artificial fragrances or colors are used in these soaps). Specialty soaps including Rows and Furrow’s Gardener’s Soap with the orange oil and ground almonds to cut the grit and grime that come from a good day of gardening or other dirty work (nice for the kitchen too).

Dog Shampoo Soap in a regular Dirty Dog blend and also one for dogs with itchy or dry skin, Oatmeal and Honey, which includes honey, almond oil and oats.  Both are made using rose geranium, neem oil, rosemary, lavender and other oils to keep away ticks, fleas and mosquitos in a natural non-toxic way.

Last but not least

If you would like to become a Friend of the Market for a suggested donation of $10.00, which entitles you to a free cup of coffee at every market you attend for a full year, please see me at the market this Saturday! We will also have  Higher Grounds Coffee by the Cup for a suggested donation of $1.00.


The “Ukulele Project” Tour Comes to Sweetwater this Saturday!

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Aaron Lee & The Ukulele Project!

New Hampshire based Ukulele Player and Songwriter Aaron Lee is touring to support the release of his new album titled The Ukulele Project, which includes 14 original tracks that all creatively and intentionally feature the word ‘ukulele’ somewhere in the lyrics. In the studio, Lee is joined by the talents of Jeff Bartolini on acoustic bass and Jeff Marion on Piano and Organ. He currently performs both as a solo act and with his trio.

The record, titled The Ukulele Project takes us on a journey, stopping everywhere from the Androscoggin River in Maine, to the Andes Mountains in South America and everywhere in between.  Aaron introduces Kaylee Ukulele, who likes to “sit between the dunes and play her ukulele”, proclaims that Arkansas should be known as “the ukulele state” and lets us know what happens if you break his ukulele.  We are invited to begin our day by waking up with a ukulele, dance a ukulele waltz, and finish our day with a ukulele lullaby.  The record is guaranteed to make you laugh and will leave you with a smile on your face and a ukulele song in your head.

Where? Sweetwater Local Foods Market

When? Saturday, June 19th from  9:00am until 11:00am

Michigan Organic Community Mourns Loss of Farmer Educator Nancy Jones-Keiser

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Paul Keiser & Nancy Jones-KeiserPaul Keiser & Nancy Jones-Keiser

The Michigan organic farming community has suffered a huge loss with the passing of Nancy Jones-Keiser on Monday, September 28th 2009.

Growing up on a farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Nancy was involved in organic farming and gardening for over 30 years and taught classes on these topics for more than 25 years. When she and her husband Paul came to West Michigan in 1996 to begin a CSA farm & charter school Nancy served as the bio-ag teacher. Called the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science it lasted two years during which time students were involved with not only learning to grow their own food but also the preparing, processing and storing of the nutrient-dense foods grown on the CSA farm.

Nancy was also a certified English teacher & Reading Specialist, teaching classes at both Grand Rapids Community College and Baker College of Muskegon.

Ever the educator, Nancy was hired as an organic certifier for Organic Growers of Michigan until that program ended in 2001 and was a invaluable long-time board member of MOFFA (Michigan Food & Farming Alliance).

Nancy and Paul had a large collection of films concerning environmental awareness and they shared them with the public through two consecutive film festivals; one, a Winter Film Series & Farmers Market at the Wealthy Theater held two Wednesday evenings a month from October 2006 through June of 2007, and the second was begun in late 2008 and held weekly at San Chez Bistro right up until the time her health began to deteriorate.

Nancy was a farmer as well as an educator; she and Paul built the Ag & Health Alive business together on their farm in Marne, MI, raising breeding flocks of sheep, ducks & chickens as well as a large production garden and farming a piece of land owned by friend Bob Johnson for many years. Nancy was very proud of her lovely home garden and brought her produce to the Fulton Street Farmers Market, where she was a vendor. Last winter she accompanied Paul occasionally during the winter months of the Sweetwater Market. We remember her great grilled cheese sandwiches & squash soups!

That all of this work was accomplished by just one woman may seem impossible, unless you knew Nancy. She was a force of nature, a tireless worker and a tenacious activist on behalf of our planet. She was only 62 years old, and we will miss her greatly.

Note: If you would like to send a message of condolence to her family:

Paul Keiser, 2757 Hayes Rd., Marne, MI 49435

Summer’s Bounty!

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Healthy. Humane. Homegrown. Local Food You Can Trust!
Healthy. Humane. Homegrown. Local Food You Can Trust!

What’s New at Sweetwater Local Foods Market
Saturday, August 15th, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Mercy Health Partners/Hackley Health at the Lakes
On Harvey St. ½ mile S of Lakes Mall-exit US31 at Pontaluna Rd
We are a Bridge Card & Project Fresh Market

Food, Inc Returns to the Harbor Theatre This Friday!
Sweetwater Mkt representatives will be there for a Q&A after the show…..http://www.theharbortheater.com/

This Week’s Vendors
Blueberry Heritage Farms of Holland
Certified organic blueberries! Brendan will bring more of the wonderful Bluecrop blueberries this Saturday!
Fruitful Acres of Manistee
Hugh Bowling’s helper Adam returns this week with more luscious Blackberries, and the Tart Cherries are holding steady for one more week!
Creswick Farms of Ravenna
Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
New! Nathan’s newest creation: Red Hot Brats! Per customer request he’s really kicked these sausages up a notch!
Pork Sausages: Blueberry Brats, Jalapeno Brats, Garlic Kielbasa, Breakfast Links & Bulk, Chorizo.
Chicken Sausages: Apple Chicken Links, Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese Links.
Lamb Sausages: Back this week – Moroccan Lamb link sausage!
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork.
Back this week! Country Style Ribs! Tender, meaty, excellent grilled. Also: Ham steaks. Pork Chops. Apple Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Soup Seasoning Bacon Ends.
Grass-fed Beef
Fire up the Grill – We’ve got STEAKS! Back this week: Flank Steak (think Fajitas & London Broils), T-Bones, Ribeye & Sirloin Steak. Filet Mignon. Also: Chuck Roast. Gourmet Burgers, grass-fed beef & hickory smoked bacon 3-1/3lb patties per pkg. Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg. Ground Beef Patties 3-1/3lb patties per pkg.
Sale continues! Creswick Smoked Meat Snack Sticks! Regular price $5.00 for 4 sticks, this Saturday get $1.00 off each pack!
Pastured Poultry
Boneless/skinless chicken breast, chicken wings, leg quarters, whole chicken & ground chicken in 1# pkg.
Also: At this point we are only taking pre-orders for eggs. See below.
Pre-Orders: Email Chris Bedford at chrisbedford@charter.net by Monday before the market and he will have it ready for you to pick up on Saturday. For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com .
Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia
BEEF SALE! BUY 10 PACKAGES OF OUR GROUND BEEF AND GET 10% OFF. BUY 2 ROASTS AND GET 10% OFF! Other cuts available: RibEye, New York Strip, oxtail, tenderloin, TBone, Porterhouse, liver, heart, stew meat, Swiss steak, ground beef bulk and patties. This is a mix of all grass-fed beef and some beef with our usual few months of grain to tenderize the meat. Please send me your advance orders and I’ll be sure to save beef for you.
VEGGIES THIS WEEK: Cucumbers in quantity with dill for canning! Also: Celery, eggplant & fingerling potatoes in quantity! Tender young Green Beans, Broccoli, Red Norland Potatoes, Carrots, Beets with Greens, Lettuce Mix, Head Lettuce, Chard and Kale, summer squashes, cucumbers, and whatever else we find ready to pick on Friday! Fresh herbs: parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary, chives. CSA members got sweet peppers, eggplant and tomatoes this week so we will have some for you all in a few weeks.
Sale! Organic Olive Oil! Bring in your quart jar and fill it with Catalan Spanish oil for $35, or buy a jar from us. In the famous Rioja wine producing region of Northern Spain, the three Catalan brothers and their proud families produce an exceptional olive oil from their small orchard of Arbequina olives. It is smooth-tasting with a great balance, very good fruit, and the aftertaste is a bit peppery. The unfiltered oil is Certified Organic by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture. It is exceptional with lamb, beef, salad or spicy foods. I will also have Moutere Grove from New Zealand ~ 250 ml $20; 500 ml $30 and bottled Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24.
HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE! I’ll be bringing an assortment of 1# bags. More is on order, here’s hoping it arrives by Friday.
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG! http://www.earthscapefarm.blogspot.com
Earthly Kneads of Muskegon
Our new helper Diane is working the market this weekend – stop by and make her feel welcome to the Sweetwater Market! Can’t make it to market? We’re open at the shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., too. If you would like to order ahead, please call the shop – 231.728.6383. Make sure you speak with a live person and NOT the voicemail system. Be sure to specify where you’d like to pick up your order. Our booth will have a little different look to it starting this weekend (the display case has met an unfortunate end). We still have muffins, scones, and other goodies – they’ll just be packed a little differently.
* Bread – Specials this week: Pumpernickel; Cheesy Hot Pepper (made with organic cheddar cheese and in very limited supply – we were only able to get our hands on a small number of local organic peppers because it’s been so cold lately); Leek & Sage Spelt; Potato & Dill. All the veggies are from either Earthscape/Full Circle Farm or Funny Farm. We will also have our regular Saturday schedule of bread (visit www.earthlykneads.com for details) minus the beer breads (had to make room for the specials!).
* Sweets – Mini Zucchini Spice Loaves, Zucchini Muffins with Cinnamon Frosting
* Scones – Dark Chocolate Chip, Honey Lemon & Fig, Blueberry Cardamom
* Muffins – Blueberry (made with the big, beautiful organic blueberries from Blueberry Heritage Farm!), Orange-Mango
* Cookies – We have A LOT of cookies this week! Sugar; Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip; Vegan AND Gluten Free Coconut; Sundrop; Snickerdoodle; Cranberry Almond; Sweet & Salty Cashew; and Malted Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
* Granola – 5 different varieties this week, plus Gorp & Muesli
* Extras – Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms, Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, and Organically Grown Heirloom Garlic (these bulbs are HUGE!) from Frasure Farms. We’ll also have an assortment of Food for Thought and Naturally Nutty with us.
Olson Farm of Shelby
Ailsa Craig onions are in! Jim claims they are hands down better than any Vidalia he’s ever tasted! Also: red potatoes, green beans and this spring’s batch of Taste of Spring Maple Syrup.
Happy Hill Farm of Hart
Sale! Our 2008 chicken is on sale now – 50% off while it lasts!
Hoophouse & Veggie Garden! Multi-colored carrots, Mortgage Lifter tomatoes & Cherry tomatoes. Cucumbers are in! Pickling & slicing. Also canning quantities of beans! Green, purple, & yellow, drago & rattlesnake pole beans. Lettuce, collards, chard, kohlrabi, beets, green onions & big onions, mixed greens. Squash: green, yellow & 8 ball zuccini. Yellow scallop squash. Broccoli. Yukon Gold potatoes. Herbs: Fresh & dried parsley, cilantro, basil, rosemary & sorrel.
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Happy Hill will have Abundant Harvest Bakery goods at their booth, including
Granola Breakfast Cookies and several gluten-free offerings.
Free-Range Eggs: Large. Also, goose eggs.
Grassfields Farm of Coopersville
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition.
We will have Gouda with Dill, Garlic & Onion Gouda, & Edam. Learn more about our cheese, and other products at www.grassfieldscheese.com
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread.

HandCrafteds
Locally made products good for the body and spirit!

Brittanie’s Thyme of Cedar Springs
We’re celebrating our organic certification and offering our loyal customers 20% OFF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE! Six years after our inception (and the real Brittanie has now turned 5!) we have reached a tremendous milestone and we want to celebrate with you! We received a great response on our website in June to our “Free Facial Serum Sample” offer. Thank you all for answering the product survey in return. Just so you know we are deep in the planning stages to launch our new facial serum this fall, at the very latest the first of the year.
Something cute and new we’ll have at our table this Saturday is hand tie-dyed hair ties. $1.50 each or a bag of 5/$5.00 just in time for going back to school!
And a short note: We are anticipating a cost increase in September, so please take advantage of our sale prices on your favorite items this market!
Theresa’s Bags n’ Blooms
Theresa makes very unique hand sewn bags from recycled & new fabrics that you can use for shopping, school and more. She is also a flower lover and grower and will bring a selection of her favorite blooms.

April 11th What’s New at the Market?

Published on by sweetWaterAdmin

9:00am to 1:00pm
Winter/spring Market Indoors at Hackley Health at the Lakes
On Harvey St. ½ mile S of Lakes Mall-exit US31 at Pontaluna Rd
We are a Bridge Card Market

This Saturday is Kids Day at the Market!
All Kids Receive a Special Treat!
Bring Your Earth Day Poster and Enter Our Contest!
Learn How to Play a Musical Saw! Workshop from 9:30 to 10:00am                                   Click on Kid’s Day tab at top of page for more details!

Music this Week by Muriel’s Kitchen, The Sorensens, with Bill, Donna and Jo Ann!

This Week’s Vendors Include:
Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia
Are you interested in joining our CSA? If so, see Patrice at our table, or email pbobier@voyager.net
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG! http://www.earthscapefarm.blogspot.com
PARSNIPS ~ freshly dug, sweetened over the winter.
BEEF! We have beef – most cuts: steaks, short ribs, liver, heart, stew meat, ground beef. Stock up now! These were young Angus heifers, grass-fed their whole lives, and fed home-grown and ground grains for a couple of months before butchering.
HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE! I’ll be bringing an assortment of 1# bags.
Fresh Rosemary from the Greenhouse.
Organic Olive Oil! These oils are imported from all over the world. They are grown, pressed and bottled on small organic farms. Incredible quality! Check out http://organicoliveoilcompany.com
Now in stock:
Mansur 375 ml $15; 750 ml $25
Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24
Moutere Grove SALE~ 250 ml $20; 500 ml $35
Harmony Gardens of Montague
Hoophouse greens this week include: Parsley, Arugula, Kale, Osaka Purple mustard greens and a Senposai & Spinach mix.
Creswick Farms of Ravenna
Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork.
New this week: Soy-Free Eggs! Nathan will be at the market to answer your questions about why many customers are now requesting soy-free eggs.
New this week: Ham Steaks. Also: Hickory Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Boneless Pork Chops, Pork Breakfast sausage in links & bulk. Soup Seasoning Bacon Ends.
Pork Sausages: Garlic Kielbasa
Chicken Sausages include: Apple/Chicken Sausage Links and Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese.
Lamb Sausages: Moroccan Lamb Sausage.
Pastured Chicken
No chicken available until middle of April.
Grass-fed Beef
Filet Mignon, Round Roast and Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg and 1/3 lb. Beef Burgers 3/pkg
Beef Snack Sticks.
New Product! Creswick Farms is now offering a ½# package of ground mixed beef, lamb, & chicken for $2.00! Meat is frozen, uncooked. Cooked or raw, add your own fresh greens and cooked rice and you have a great locally made food your pets will devour!
Pre-Orders: Email Chris Bedford at chrisbedford@charter.net by Monday before the market and he will have it ready for you to pick up on Saturday. For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com .
Grassfields Farm of Coopersville
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition.
New! Chili Cheese! A tasty aged gouda with dried red chili peppers.
Fait Gras is back! Pronounced “fay gra”, our newest English style cheese has been selling out fast. It is made with a very high cream content, making it milder than our Lamont Cheddar; very smooth & creamy. We will also have Gouda, Gouda with Dill, Leyden (Gouda with Cumin), Gouda Spice (garlic & onion), Edam, and Lamont Cheddar.
Learn more about our cheese, and other products at www.grassfieldscheese.com
Earthly Kneads of Muskegon
For Sweetwater this week we will have lots of rolls & breads….whole grain, seeded spelt, Gouda for What Ales You and Tuscan Italiano!
Hot Cross Buns!
Scones!
Easter cookies, Bunny Shapes & Double Chocolate Cherry.
Special! Very limited number of cheesecakes. Irish Cream or Plain with Orange. Please call the shop at 231 728-6383 by 4:30 Friday afternoon if you would like one reserved for you at the market Saturday.
Our bakery is also open Saturday, from 9am to 2pm.
Visit the website at www.earthlykneads.com
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
New this week: Jerusalem Artichokes. Spring treat is a customer favorite.
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Chilled Whole Wheat Pizza Dough! Sold in single size bags, just roll out on a pizza tin, let rise a bit and then add your favorite toppings! Also: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread, Seven-Grain Sourdough bread, Cranberry Walnut bread and Health Muffins. Made of whole grain organic flours.
Again this week! Duck Eggs. Fed certified organic feed. Find out why many bakers insist on using Duck Eggs.
Lamb! This week at the market: We have individual cuts of lamb in chops, roasts, ground lamb, stew meat and shanks. We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
Monday’s at San Chez Bistro: Our weekly film/discussion event continues, this week April 13th, with a special Organic Gardening Workshop. Conducted by Paul & Nancy Keiser, all materials included. Cost: $15.00. Time: 7-9pm. April 20th:Barbara Jenness, of Dancing Goat Creamery. Barbara is the President of the West Michigan Herb Society, and her talk is titled “Twentieth Century Herb Cultures & Uses”. Time 7-9. Free event.
Happy Hill Farm of Hart
New this week: Duck Eggs & Goose Eggs.
Hoophouse Greens! Mixed greens, arugula, beet greens, radish, spinach, parsley.
From Rebecca’s Side of the House: Spinach & a tasty Salad Mix.
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Happy Hill will have Abundant Harvest Bakery goods at their booth, including
Granola Breakfast Cookies and several gluten-free offerings.
Martinus Maple Syrup of West Olive
We’ll be back this week with our newest batch of tasty Maple Syrup!

HandCrafteds
Locally made products good for the body and spirit!

Ladybug Designs of Muskegon
Emma Hardiman returns this week with two great new items:
The “Organizer” These functional bags have a multitude of uses in the classroom, bathroom, kitchen, or baby’s room. Keep the kid’s mess in the car under control, use one for the Dance Recital, and more!
Laptop Computer Bags. Each one of a kind bag has plenty of room for your laptop and other accessories.
Also: Cozy knitted afghans, quilts, decorative doll clothes and angels.
Imagination to Creation Jewelry of North Muskegon
“Spring Cleaning Sale”…all jewelry on tables will be at 25% off (this week only).
Also, I will be having a drawing for the boys and girls who come to market with Mom or Dad. There will be a drawing for a boys “beach” necklace and a drawing for a young girls “butterfly & bellflower” necklace. I will also have Easter treats for children.
Creature Comforts of Grand Haven
Brighten up your table inside and out with colorful cloth napkins . There are 2 sizes– large adult size of many different patterns and smaller size for children with fun boy and girl patterns! Also come and feel the cuddly , soft , tied baby quilts that would be just right for a new baby or toddler . They are all handmade of pre-washed cotton and will stand up to many washings! There are also some special hand pieced and hand quilted baby quilts for that wonderful addition to your family or circle of friends.
Under the Pines of Fruitport
Looking forward to the sunshine this weekend and seeing you at Sweetwater!
Do you need some Easter basket goodies? We have great little gifts for bath and body.
Stop by and try our handcrafted soaps in the following aromas:
Patchouli and Sweet Orange, Lavender and Oats and Oils (no essentials added to this one for those who prefer unscented). All of our soaps have 10% shea butter added to help fight that post winter “dry” skin. Bath Teas are a nice treat as well as body butter (excellent for moisturizing feet, knees, elbows, cuticles and hands). A great assortment of our customers favorite lip balm too in several yummy flavors (buy 4 lip balms get one free)!
Back in stock, our hand made laundry washing soda with just the things in it you need for a nice clean wash without the harmful chemicals!
Bee and Botanicals of Spring Lake
Organic lavender dryer bags for field fresh laundry, nice to use with Under the Pines Washing Soda! New hand made cards and gift tags. Small bags with hand embroidery of muslin and burlap, make great little keepsakes presents for birthdays, Easter and Mother’s Day. Floral and woodsy sachets to tuck in drawers, cars, luggage, gym bags and closets. Fun catnip toys for your favorite feline : x o
Brittanie’s Thyme
Nancy Schaap will return with lots of great all organic body care items.New products coming soon! In April we are launching a new Teen Pack skin care set. It will contain our Organic Citrus Cleanser 4 oz, Organic Acne Treatment 4oz, and a 40ml vial of Organic Almond Oatmeal Scrub. Details are soon to be final on the packaging and the price will be $20.
Brittanie’s Thyme is listed at Coop America (www.coopamerica.org) and Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org), two entities who patrol the authenticity and safety of organic products.
Sochon & Halona Pottery of Twin LakeTransplanted to Michigan just two years ago from Chicago, Sweetwater welcomes husband & wife team Flynn Sochon and Halona Gustin! Flynn holds both a B.S. and M.S. degree in Ceramics from Illinois State University. He has given many workshops, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the region, and has taught at Flatland Pottery for 30 years. His works can be found in corporate and private collections in China, Japan, Germany, Israel, France, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the U.S. Halona exhibits her work at numerous arts fairs throughout the Midwest. Her work is inspired by nature, specifically the beauty of Western Michigan. They will bring a selection of their current works.
Last but not least: Big Sweetwater Hug & Thanks to Betsy Horrigan for renewing her Friend of the Market membership! If you would like to become a Friend of the Market for a suggested donation of $10.00, which entitles you to a free cup of coffee at every market you attend for a full year, please see me at the market this Saturday! We will also have Higher Grounds Coffee by the Cup for a suggested donation of $1.00. Please note: Higher Grounds Coffee 1# bags for sale at Earthscape booth.

Please remember that we are closed next Saturday, April 18th. We will be open again on Saturday, April 25th.

Hope to see you at the Market!
Diana Jancek
Market Manager