Thursday, October 21, 2010

What's in Store...for October 23rd

This weekend marks the last weekend of our market season. We are so glad that you've shopped and socialized at the market. In addition to the Pumpkin Contest and Apple Pie Contest, don't forget that kids in costume get treat bags at the Market Master booth. There will also be music at the market on Saturday, and you can expect these fine vendors:

Barbra Weston Puzzles-jewelry and perhaps plants
Bardenherer Wine Cellars-wine (sorry, no tasting)
Big River Alpacas-wool hats, scarves, and other items
Carter's Produce-squash, pumpkins, gourds
Dan's Produce-late-season produce
DAP's-baking mixes
DeSoto Historical Society-historical information and maybe some produce
G&J New & Recycled Crafts-craft items made from interested items
Get Healthy De Soto-information about the market and it's parent organization
Grandma Mb's Baked Goods-pies and breads
Harold Ray Underwood-birdhouses and other wooden crafts 
Kurt Lantz-eggs
Lisa Uzzle-soy candles
Mike Long-rabbits
Nick Stateler-cedar furniture
Ott's   Produce-butternut squash and other late-season produce
St. Andrew's-muffins, coffee, and juice
Stuart J. Lippman-birdhouses, crocheted washclothes, and other handmade crafts


We'll see you on Saturday...and don't be surprised if you see one of these!



Vendor Spotlight: DAP's General Goods

DAP's General Goods is owned by Pam. She is located in DeSoto, and can be reached by phone at 636.337.7026. She first started selling at the market in the 2009 season, and we're lucky to have such a great vendor. She sells baked goods, baking mixes, dog bones, dips, & jam. She likes to sell at our market because it's close to home and because we're all such friendly folks. When asked what makes the De Soto Farmers' Market Special, Pam said it's "...meeting local people and learning from others." We couldn't agree more, and we hope you'll visit Pam this weekend.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

2010's Very Unscientific but Helpful Survey

We value feedback from customers, volunteers, and vendors. To give you an opportunity to provide feedback, we developed this very simple 5 question survey. It's not a highly scientific survey, and we won't be running a chi analysis on a sampling of the responses. However, it will be a quick gauge for us to determine what has really worked this year...and quite frankly, what hasn't. We want you to be honest with your responses, and if you have comments, there's a place for that as well.

Please share this survey with others that you know have taken part in the market, either as a vendor, volunteer, or customer. Thanks for taking a few minutes to complete the survey!

Survey Link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3W8QCYK

Apple Pie Contest

On October 23rd, the market will host the 2nd Annual Apple Pie Contest. Last year's winners are, I'm sure, already hard at work. Here's a bit about the contest and expectations for the event. If you have questions, please contact Darlene at St. Andrew's since she's the one that heads up the pie contest (586.2472).

Apple Pie Contest Rules
  • Pies must be delivered to De Soto Farmers’ Market between 8:00-9:00AM
  • Pies should be in a disposable pie plate
  • Contest is open to all.

There are three categories:
Junior Division ages: 5-17
Adult Division ages: 18-49
Senior Adult Division ages: 50+

Pies will be judged on Appearance, Taste and Consistency. All pies entered become property of the De Soto Farmers’ Market. (That sounds kind of sinister doesn't it, but there's a good reason.) The pies will then be sold for tasting by market visitors with the proceeds going to the market for next year's event. Winners will be announced on the main stage at the end of judging.


Judging Criteria

Appearance (1-10)

Pre-Slice:

Basic eye appeal. To what extent does the whole pie entice you to want to try it? Is the decoration creative and appetizing?

After Slice:

A single slice unveils the looks and consistency of the filling and crust. Pies should have generous, well distributed fruit as well as, good color and definition. The servibility of the pie will also be considered.


Taste & Texture – Crust (1-30) and Filling (1-30)

Crust & Filling:

The judges will evaluate two primary components of a pie – individually and then as a combined entity. These two components are the crust and the filling. They should first each stand on their own merits; and then blend together into a great combination. The judges will evaluate aspects of the crust first, then the filling. Here are some aspects they will consider:

Flavor:

Nice aroma.

Pleasant, uniform flavors. All ingredients taste fresh and are well balanced. A complimentary use of spices and seasonings that is not overpowering. Generally, crust has a pleasant, mild flavor that complements the filling. However, in some specialty pies, the crust may be used to help create flavor accents.

Mouth feel:

Smooth, uniform liquids, moderately viscous, with no chalky, gritty, pasty textures. Fruit should be well distributed, have good definition and be firm, but not overly crisp. Pastry crust should be flaky and melt in your mouth, should not be greasy or oily.

Crust Consistency:

Pastry crusts should be flaky and delicate, but not fall apart too easily. They should melt in your mouth with a mild, pleasant taste that complements the filling. They should be a light golden color, baked throughout and an even thickness across the side and bottom. The crimp should seal thoroughly all the way around the pie.

Aftertaste:

Generally, most crusts should have very subtle aftertastes. Aftertastes may vary widely in fillings, however, the important aspect of an aftertaste in pie tasting is whether it is unpleasant and for how long it lingers.


Overall Flavor/Taste (1-30)

This is the judges’ final chance to rate the pie overall. What makes a good pie? Here is a brief guideline for what traditional wisdom makes a good pie…

Crust:

Flaky, melt in your mouth consistency that has a mild, pleasant flavor and is baked evenly throughout to a light golden color. The crust should have a tight seal around the edges.

Filling:

Smooth uniform components with pleasant aroma and flavor which matches the advertised flavor, appealing color, and a nice aftertaste. Fruit used in quality pies should be well defined; good size, evenly distributed and have a firm, but not overly crisp, texture.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

What's in Store...for October 16th

Fall is certainly upon us. This weekend's weather is supposed to be superb, with just a little chill and a lot of sun. When you visit the market on Saturday, here's who will be vending:
  • Au Naturale Jewelry with handmade beads and jewelry
  • DAP's with baking mixes and spice mixes
  • Gaye Valle with assorted produce and crafts
  • Harold Ray Underwood with wooden crafts
  • Idle Time Jewelry with necklaces, earrings, and bracelets
  • Judy Brown with quilts and afghans
  • Julie Ott with winter squash, okra, and maybe pumpkins
  • Margaret Pillen with apple pies, apple butter, and quilts
  • St. Andrew's UMW with muffins and coffee
  • Stuart J. Lippman with birdhouses, crocheted items, and butterfly houses
  • Weston Puzzles with jewelry and maybe plants
  • Wood Unlimited with fine cedar furniture and decor
We'll have music from 9-11 as well. We hope to see you then.

Kids in Costume

On October 23rd, the De Soto Farmers' Market will celebrate the end of another successful year and the close of our market season with Autumn Day. There will be an Apple Pie Contest and a Pumpkin Decorating Contest, and we'll get more details about those next week. (You'll need to go ahead and test your pie recipe this weekend if you want to have a chance to beat last year's winners.)

Next weekend will also be close enough to Halloween, that kids in costume will receive a free treat bag from the market. We'll be giving the bags out at the Market Master tent, so be sure to bring your hobgoblins, pumpkins, and ghosts along on the 23rd.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Pumpkin Contest

The 2nd Annual Pumpkin Contest will be held on October 23rd. We will have separate adult and childrens divisions in the following categories:

  • Best Carving
  • Best Drawing/Painting on a Pumpkin
  • Funniest
  • Scariest
So get out your crayons, paints, markers, glue, glitter, and (with adult supervision) carving knives and see what wonderful creations you can come up with.

We promise, no pumpkin smashing!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

What's in store for.. Oct. 9th

This Saturday is our last special Art Mart of the season, thus there will be a few more artisan vendors this weekend. So if you like to find unquie gifts for special occasions stop by the market this weekend! We are also approaching the dread frost date so now is the time to snatch up late season produce!

St. Andrews' United Methodist Church - baked goods
*Pam and Stuarts's Old Time Crafts - bird houses and knitted items
Julie's Produce - sweet potatoes, okra, lettuce, brocolli, squash, radishes, beans and peppers
*Joann Lippmann - shawls, handpainted shirts, crochet items, and mittens
Puzzles - plants and jewelry
*Harold Ray Underwood - wooden crafts
*Lori Dycus - Idle Time Jewelry
Grandma Mb's Baked Goods
*Rhonda Lawson - handcrafted glass necklaces
Margaret Pillen - Apple butter, apple pies and quilts
*Loring Donahue - flower harclips, headbands, and hats
DAP's General Goods - convient mixes, dog treats, jams
The Bug Doctor

*Denotes Artisan Vendors