FARM-TO-TABLE: FINDING LOCAL FARM FRESH FOOD

BY SUZIE WELLS

With so many farms across the region, in spring we celebrate the fresh, delicious foods raised or grown right in our backyards. No need to depend on the big box stores shipping products across the country; everything people need or want is usually available at the neighborhood farmers markets, farm stands, pick-yourown farms, and community supported agriculture (CSA) partnerships. ese options provide freshness second-to-none and usually have a more personal touch as customers interact with farmers who put their heart and soul into the business. Win-win.

ere’s nothing quite like perusing the stands at a farmers market, bag or basket in hand, senses on alert, consuming the aroma or even samples of fresh baked goods, produce, and farm products, with the cadence of friendly, happy sounds of neighbors and friends reconnecting with smiles. Ideas ow for meals and dishes to accentuate the avors of the week’s harvest. e community comes together with each week’s harvest.

Ontario County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) touts, “People are rediscovering the pleasure of fresh, healthy food from local farms and a more meaningful connection with the land and the community. Buying directly from farmers is a way to enjoy this experience and Ontario County has many opportunities to do it.”

Livingston County has a Buy Local campaign, a community-based initiative to increase farm to restaurant connections, establish farm to institution connections, and provide access to fresh and nutritious food to low-income families. ey say, “Our goals are to foster the environmental, economic, and social vitality of our community by increasing the connections between consumers and farmers.”

And Monroe County has a plethora of farmers markets across the region; the Rochester Public Market even runs year-round in their heated facility. Check out a farmers market this week to see what treasures you can nd.

Monroe County Farmers Market Locations

Brighton Farmers Market: Sundays 9am-1pm

Brockport Farmers Market: Sundays, 8am-1pm

Fairport Farmers Market: Saturdays 7am-12pm

Greece Ridge Mall Farmers Market: urs. & Sat. 8am-3pm

Irondequoit Farmers Market: ursdays 4pm-dusk

North Chili Farmers Market: Saturdays 8am-1pm

NOTA Farmers Market: Mondays 4-7pm

Pittsford Colony Plaza Farmers Market: Saturdays 9am-1pm

Pittsford Village Community Farmers Market: Saturdays 9am-1pm

Rochester Public Market: Tues. & urs. 6am-1pm, Sat. 5am-3pm

South Wedge Farmers Market: ursdays 4-7pm

Webster’s Joe Obbie Farmers Market: Saturdays 8:30am-1pm

Westside Farmers Market: Tuesdays 4-7pm

Livingston County Farmers Market Locations

Avon Farmers Market: Wednesdays 3-6pm

Dansville Farmers Market: Fridays 11am-4pm

Lima Presbyterian Church Farmers Market: Tuesdays 3-6pm

Hemlock/Little Lakes Farmers Market: Saturdays 9am-12pm

Nunda Farmers Market: Saturdays 9am-12pm

Geneseo Farmers Market: ursdays 3-6:30pm

Springwater Farmers Market: Fridays 3-6pm

Lakeville Farmers Market: Fridays 4-7pm

Ontario County Farmers Market Locations

Canandaigua Farmers Market: Saturdays 9am-12pm

Farmington Farmers Market: Fridays 3-6pm

Geneva Farmers Market: Saturdays 8am-1:30pm

Victor Farmers Market: Wednesdays 3-6pm

Don’t see your community listed? Search for your local farmers market in the National Farmers Market Directory (nfmd.org).

Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a mutually supportive and cooperative relationship between producers (farmers) and consumers(customers). econsumerpaysamembership/subscription fee at the beginning of the season, and then receives a crop “share” of fresh, quality produce each week throughout the season. Consumers enjoy a supply of fresh, quality produce grown in their region, o en without harmful chemicals or preservatives. ey also have the unique opportunity to connect with the land their food is grown on by assisting in production or visiting the farm for pick-ups and events. CSAs foster community and keep food dollars within the local economy. To nd CSAs in your area, check out usdalocalfoodportal.com e Farm to School program puts food from local farms directly into school lunchrooms, providing students with fresh, nutritious foods and educating them about where their food comes from. Farm to School connects the community to agricultural producers, bene ting students and farmers alike. In Ontario County, several school districts and farms participate in Farm to School programming. Learn more at cceontario.org/agriculture/local-foods/farm-to-school.

MeatSuite

MeatSuite is a CCE Agriculture Educators’ website to help consumers nd locally produced, high quality meats to purchase in bulk across many NYS counties. To search by zip code/neighborhood or by species across the region to nd farms near you, visit meatsuite.com.

People from all walks of life are united in their desire to eat healthier, support their local economy, and know where their food comes from. Enjoy the Rochester area’s bounty of farmers markets, road stands, CSAs, and livestock farms.

is Cat Clings too Much

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My 6-year-old cat Ella has gotten very clingy lately. She was always fairly independent and preferred to lounge atop the sofa and watch the world outside the window. Now she refuses to do that. She runs to greet me at the door, meows nonstop until I feed her and then wants to climb into my lap the instant I sit down. She also begs to come into the bedroom and curl up at the end of the bed next to my feet. I know this sounds just darling, but it’s unusual behavior from her. What’s your advice? -- Susan

W., Burlington, Vermont

DEAR SUSAN: It’s interesting that Ella’s behavior has changed so noticeably, so fast. Has anything changed in the home environment, like you have a new work schedule, or moved furniture around, or added (or lost) a human family member?

Also, has anything about Ella’s health changed? Does she have any underlying condition that might be getting worse? Check with the vet to be sure.

If neither environment nor health are the problem, you can try to enforce some rules to alter Ella’s behavior.

-- Boredom: Make sure you play with Ella more o en each day. e clingy behavior may be a request for additional attention.

-- Boundaries: Don’t change feeding times just because Ella demands it. And don’t let her into the bedroom if you don’t want her there. Keep the door shut.

-- Bribery: Well, not really bribes, but positive reinforcement. When Ella goes to her old lounging spot, reward her with praise or a treat. Don’t give her treats when she’s in your lap; instead, lead her away and give a treat to her elsewhere.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

Down Home

Apple Pie Popcorn

Yield: 10 cups

3 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 cups popped popcorn

1 cup dried apple chips, broken into large pieces

1/4 cup toffee bits

Heat oven to 300 F. Whisk melted butter with vanilla. Toss brown sugar with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.

Toss popcorn with butter mixture. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixture. Stir. Transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle apple chips and toffee bits over top. Bake 15 minutes, or until toffee bits start to melt. Cool before serving.

Tip: Add chopped pecans for extra crunch.

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Catholic

Sts. Mary & Matthew Faith Community

St. Mary’s, Honeoye and St. Matthew, Livonia www.stsmaryandmatthew.com • Rev. William Laird

9am Daily Masses - Mon. & Wed. St. Matthew, Tues. & urs. St. Mary’s

Weekend Schedule:

Saturdays - 3:30pm Reconciliation and 4:30pm Mass at St. Matthew

Sundays - 8:30am Mass at St. Mary’s, 10:30am Mass at St. Matthew

Christian Science

Christian Science Church

3350 Middle Cheshire Rd., Canandaigua, NY 14424

Sun. Service & Sunday School: 10:30AM

Wed. Testimonial Meeting: Noon at Church

Reading rm. @ Church Tues. 11AM - 2:30PM & before & a er services christiansciencechurch@frontier.com • christianscience.com

Find us on Facebook at Christian Science Canandaigua • 585-393-9935 for info.

Lutheran

St. John’s Lutheran Church LCMS

153 Church Ave., Farmington • 315-986-3045 • www.pumpkinhook.org

Pastor Robert Weidmayer

Wednesdays 7:00pm live/streaming

Sundays 9:45am live/streaming (8:30am Sunday School) www.facebook.com/pumpkinhook

St. Mark Lutheran Church (Mendon) - LCMS

18 Victor-Mendon Road, Rte. 251, (east of Rte. 64) • 624-1766

Pastor Brian K. Smith www.stmarkmendon.org

Sunday 9am Services in person and streamed on Facebook Live (facebook.com/stmarkmendon)

Methodist

Honeoye Falls United Methodist Church

31 East Street, Honeoye Falls • 585-624-3387 honeoyefallsumc.org • o ce.hfumc@gmail.com

Pastor Christine Mitchell • PastorChrisMitchell.UMC@gmail.com

Sunday Service is held in person at 10:30am and available on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/HoneoyeFallsUMC. Come as you are, all are welcomed.

Vine Valley Methodist Church

6370 Vine Valley Road, Middlesex 585-554-0402

Pastor J. Lanni

Sunday Worship – 9:15am

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Finger Lakes Bible Church

Barry Slater, Pastor

“Building Lives on God’s Word”

FLCC, Canandaigua Campus, Room 2302

Worship: Sunday 9:45am • Bible Study: Wednesday 6:45pm (online only) 585-622-7161 • bcnys@gmail.com • FingerLakesBibleChurch.org

Faith Bible Church

9041 West 20A, Honeoye • 367-3230

Pastor John Karle

Sunday School 10am • Service 11am

Sunday Evening Services 6pm

Orthodox

Protection of the Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church

100 Stanford Dr., Rochester, NY 14610 • 585-224-0554

Archpriest Gregory Naumenko, Rector • A ROCOR Parish

Serving all English and Russian Speaking Orthodox Christians

Full schedule of services and live service streaming at www.pomog.org

Quaker

Farmington Friends Meeting

A Quaker Worship Community

187 County Road 8 • Farmington, NY 14425

Sunday Meetings for Worship

Unprogrammed Worship 8:30 a.m. • Programmed Worship 11:00 a.m. 315.986.5559 • www.farmingtonfriendsquakermeeting.com