JoAnne's Archive

Time For Strawberries And Cream
By JoAnne Leone

I was blessed today. Georgia and Kevin Whitmer shared with me a giant bag of Spring greens. Kevin is one of our new growers that will be featuring his produce at the market this season. Now, I grew up with grandparents who immigrated to Western NY from Sicily. This time of year, my Dad would carry a small machete in the car. He’d scope out the wild greens in the fields, and when he saw a patch of anything delectable, the tires headed to the shoulder of the road and the big knife and bucket came out. Mustards, dandelions and burdock were always my favorite. But the Whitmers brought me greens I’ve never seen or tasted before. I can’t wait to experiment with them.

Spring greens may still be available to you at the Strawberry Jubilee. Yes, “green” isn’t the only color that we harvest in the late spring. On Saturday morning, May 28th, from 8am-1pm the Farmers Market will be celebrating the mouth watering red strawberry. Some of our produce folks have collaborated with growers in Western Carolina to bring the best strawberries to Union County for sale that day. There will also be lots of crafters, music and a wonderful meet and greet begins our season. There will be jams and jellies and lots of fresh breads and baked goods sold that day, too.

As a special treat, Logan Turnpike Mill will be selling everyone’s favorite – Strawberry Shortcake. Cecelia Holland has a special sweet biscuit recipe she’s baking up, and topping it off with the reddest, sweetest fruit of the season. Cecelia loves the Market and participates every week. She wants more folks to be aware of what a great Market we have here in Union County, so she has generously offered to share half of the proceeds of her Shortcake sales to the marketing efforts of the Farmers Market. So, be sure to help spread the word by purchasing your Shortcake at the Jubilee.

If you would like to participate as a vendor at the Jubilee, please contact our market manager, Mickey Cummings at 706-439-6030. There is no charge for a booth for this event. And as always, I encourage you to visit our website for all the latest news, updates, and calendar of all the functions happening at the Market. This Saturday, The TriCounty Business Women will be holding their Expo at the Market. Always a great event – so come on out and join us. Would you like to participate in our Trash and Treasures Sale, Flea Market, Farmers Market or other event? Email us at UCFarmersMarket@gmail.com with your questions. Have a delightful week.