Opening Day Starts out Sweet for 2011

Wednesday April 20TH is Opening day of the Fair Grove Farmers' Market, consumers will find plenty of flowers blooming as several of the farmers are bringing bedding plants, house plants and vegetable starts. Also available will be lettuces, spinach, mustard, kale, radishes and other cole crops, some jams, bakery items, fresh farm eggs, birdhouses, soaps and lotions,pottery, Rain Barrles,plus a surprise or two. The Growing with Kids program Starts out with Free Tree's Wednesday, Then at the end of June Jennifer Farr, will have a pottery class for the kids. Jennifer Farr has pottery at the Market every week, Jennifer makes and designs her own Pottery. Jennifer works out of her own studio in Marshfield. Ingrid Taylor is a new Vendor at The Market with her passion for baking. In previous restaurant work, Ingrid has cooked for vegans and vegetarians and folks on special diets. In 2008 Ingrid was hired at the Developmental Center of the Ozarks (DCO) where she learned about the dietary needs of some very special young people. Gluten-Free diets are encouraged when dealing with ADHD and the Autism spectrum, IBS and other digestive diseases and conditions, such as Celiac disease. Being a Type 2 diabetic, Ingrid Taylor has a personal interest in working with sugar-free baked goods that taste as good as the “real” thing. Ingrid loves to fill the kitchen with the aroma of fresh baked fruits from our pies; the butter, cinnamon and toasted nut flavor of Chuck’s coffee cake; the comforting smell of a freshly baked cake. Ingrid's joy is in prepping the apples, carrots and other fruits and veggies that go into carrot cakes and gluten-free Morning Glory muffins. She loves to inhale the mouth-watering smell of warm chocolate when it follows her out the front door from a freshly baked batch of cookies! Ingrid is proud of the awesome gifts of “loving’ from the oven” our candy cakes make when someone needs a ‘thank you’ or birthday gift. (Miniature cakes dipped in chocolate that look as good as they taste, in case you haven’t had the pleasure.) And what could be better than the wholesome, healthy smell of freshly squeezed, sliced or crushed lemons and oranges, being readied to go into a cake, pie, scone or cookie recipe? This is the 12Th year for the Fair Grove Farmers Market, and we are very proud of our friendly community-orientated market. Come share our enthusiasm for fresh Missouri grown and produced vegetables, fruits and products. Support our local farmers and know you are eating fresh items produced by possibly a friend or neighbor. If you don't know our vendors, come get acquainted. We are a friendly, helpful group here to serve you, our friends, every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. through Oct. 5Th. We are open rain or shine, located under the Wommack Mill Pavilion at the corner of Mo. 125 and Main Street, downtown Fair Grove, just two blocks east of U.S. 65. We are easy to find with plenty of parking. If you buy more than you can carry, don't worry; I or any vendor will be happy to hold your purchase or carry it to the car for you. Need help with anything, just ask for Debbie or Brad. We will be there each and every week to help make your shopping an enjoyable experience. We hope to see you there. We are a proud member of Agri Missouri and the Missouri Farmers Market Association, promoting Missouri grown and produced products. For more information, call 417-459-9734 The Market Cafe will be serving up Brisket sandwiches, taco salads. and other menu items. Wear you Fair Grove Farmers' Market T-Shirt this Wednesday and get a free Hot dog from the cafe. Eat Fresh, Buy Local, Stay Healthy Debra VanBenthusen