North County Residents Can Savor the Flavor of Fresh Gourmet Food
Every Saturday at the Ferguson Farmers’ Market
Ferguson, MO (April 12, 2006) The Ferguson Farmers’ Market, AgriMissouri’s 2005 Market of the Year, kicks off its fourth delicious season on Saturday, April 29, launching an exciting special events schedule that includes live music, professional cooking demos, and an attempt at a world record! Wanting to celebrate the benefits of fresh food and healthy living, the market will host a Health & Wellness Festival on opening day, treating guests to fresh-cooked free samples, festive bluegrass music, yoga and massage demonstrations, fitness and nutritional assessments, and free glucose testing on BJC Healthcare’s Diabetes Busters mobile unit.
Later in the season, the market will host Southern Cooking Day, which includes a Collard Greens Cook-Off that residents can enter, and the Flavors of Mexico Fiesta, which brings secret family recipes and mariachi music to the streets of Ferguson. On the last Saturday of every month, the market is sponsoring the Old-Fashioned Ferguson Talent Show, inviting all brave souls to sing and dance for prizes. And on that same day, local children are invited to sell their homemade wares at the market’s kids-only booth.“In addition to an expanded special events schedule, this season will feature a dramatic increase in vendors and a much wider selection of goods for sale,” says Shannon Howard, executive director of the Ferguson Citywalk district where the market is held. New products include gourmet pasta, artisanal cheese, Amish baked goods, goat cheese, and freshly made chocolate confections. Once a month, shoppers can also buy handmade items by Peruvian artisans, with all proceeds going directly to poor families in Peru. Many of the market’s veteran vendors are returning as well, including:“R” Pizza Farm, a pizza-shaped, organic farm that has received national attention for its unique approach to farm education. Owner Walt Gregory sells organic meats, fresh eggs, bread, apple butter, produce, and many other healthful, homemade items at the Ferguson Farmers’ Market.
“R” Pizza Farm, a pizza-shaped, organic farm that has received national attention for its unique approach to farm education. Owner Walt Gregory sells organic meats, fresh eggs, bread, apple butter, produce, and many other healthful, homemade items at the Ferguson Farmers’ Market.Voss Pecans, a family-run operation and the only commercial pecan farm in Illinois. Owner Ralph Voss sells chopped, shelled and whole pecans at the market, as well as toasted nuts covered in cinnamon.
Voss Pecans, a family-run operation and the only commercial pecan farm in Illinois. Owner Ralph Voss sells chopped, shelled and whole pecans at the market, as well as toasted nuts covered in cinnamon.Cose Dolci, a team of two sisters with a special talent for making exquisite Italian baked goods.
Cose Dolci, a team of two sisters with a special talent for making exquisite Italian baked goods.Ann Fink, a one-woman artistic dynamo who adds hand-painted flair to brooms, pots, baskets, and many other everyday items.
Ann Fink, a one-woman artistic dynamo who adds hand-painted flair to brooms, pots, baskets, and many other everyday items.Centennial Farms, a 180-year-old family farm especially renowned for its succulent peaches.
Centennial Farms, a 180-year-old family farm especially renowned for its succulent peaches.“The Ferguson Farmers’ Market is a genuine farmers’ market,” Howard says, pointing out that every fruit and vegetable sold is actually grown by the farmer selling it. “You may pay a little less at the grocery store, but a grocery store can’t give you the taste and freshness that we can,” she says. “A lot of our produce is picked just hours before the market opens.” Though some non-local crops, like bananas and citrus fruits, are not available at the market, many edible delights, including jellies, herbs, honey, organic chicken, and fresh-baked pies, are ready to be enjoyed.
“This is the only farmers’ market in North County,” says Market Master Gunnar Brown. “This is a real asset to the community, so people should come out and support it. It’s a great place to spend a Saturday morning, especially now that we have café seating and professional chefs sharing their recipes every week.” Brown and the many other volunteers who make the market possible were recently honored by AgriMissouri, which selected the Ferguson Farmers’ Market as the best market in the state for 2005.The Ferguson Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday, 8am-12pm, from April 29 to October 28, and it takes place at the corner of Spot Drive and S. Florissant Rd. Ample parking is available, or guests can arrive via the new North County Bikeway, which is just a block away. For more details about special events or specific vendors, visit www.fergusonfarmersmarket.com.
###
For more information, contact:
Shannon Howard
Executive Director, Ferguson Special Business District
(314) 324-4298
fsbd@swbell.net
