With the Harvest moon now waning, we quickly harvest the last round of tomatoes and hope we can get more basil before the season ends with a hard frost. We begin to see and smell the autumn season coming. Kitchens begin to burst with sweet, heavenly smells from local apples, peaches and pumpkins. Easton and its residents are so blessed with this location. Fall colors are just the start of all the fall happenings. Tourists come from all around to see the leaves transform before their eyes. I call them peepers and pickers, the people out looking for those famous New England colors rolling across our landscape and farmlands. Us New England natives get to enjoy them throughout the season, especially on fall family outings to pick apples and pumpkins. Locally, we have so many options for pick-your-own-apples farms. My two favorites are CN Smith in East Bridgewater and The Big Apple in Wrentham. The scents of apple pie, cinnamon and cider are to die for. As a pumpkin fanatic, I have a long list of pumpkin related events and (PYO) pick your own pumpkin places, but I will keep the list small. Ward’s in Sharon, Langwater Farm in North Easton, Flynn’s Farm in South Easton and Beaver Brook Farms in East Bridgewater are all great places. All four offer pumpkin-related fall events of some kind.
With time so limited in the fall, we at the Original Easton Farmers Market have tried to bring all the fall events to you and then some. Sorry to say you can’t pick your apples off the tree but the farmers represented at the market do bring you the best they have, and sometimes you can find a deal on seconds if you ask. If Grandmother’s famous apple pie used cut up apples you can bet she looked for deals on the fruit; just cut the bad off and bake the rest. I know my grandma did and so did my mother, and yes, so now do I. Oakdale and Souza Farms will have you covered for apples, peaches and other fall fruits. Have you ever gotten the amazing heirloom tomatoes from Second Nature? Well, the late fall ones are just amazing, add some basil from Flynn’s, mozzarella from Lawtons and let’s not forget about the wine from Running Brook. All the key ingredients to start a Saturday evening with friends off right.
As you shop and chat with your local farmers and neighbors, don’t forget the market is a kid and dog friendly place. The kids’ corner is looking pretty active. This weekend, author Kelly Darling, along with illustrator Ginger McEachern, will be there for a book signing of Kelly's new children's book "A Fishy Tale"! And our local Girl Scouts are welcoming fall with an apple stamping craft! Decorate your own paper lunch bag or greeting card with apple stamps in the Kids' Corner! Everything you need to create your own beautiful apple-stamped creation will be provided. Then on September 28th join South Shore Great Pumpkin Challenge for the ending of their second annual school grant program sponsored by Coast of Maine Organic Products. With over 3,000 kids from five different communities battling it out, it’s kind of special that it will culminate at our cozy, little market. The pumpkins will arrive well before the Market opens, kids’ activities, a photo face cutout board and a 50/50 raffle will be offered throughout the Market. The grant winner will be announced at 1:00.
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As I start to wrap this up I still have one last thing to share. As you all know, the Original Easton Farmers Market is overseen by the Easton Agricultural Commission. With support from town officials and market vendors, the commission will be extending the Original Easton Farmers Market to a year round market. As we do this we are looking for some help from you, the Market shoppers. The OEFM is planning to make an electronic cookbook. The first edition will highlight fall and winter recipes and we hope to have it available for the opening of the winter market. Although we will welcome all recipes, we would like to focus on what is available locally during the season that you can cook with in the fall and winter months. So put on your thinking caps and bring your recipes to the Market Manager, Cathy Buckley. Remember the market is open Tuesday 2-6 and Saturday 10-2 for all your farm fresh needs and so much more. To stay current on the market news be sure and like the markets Facebook page.
