Just because a tad bit of moisture is passing thru town does not mean that we have to curl up our toes and hibernate!  There is still so much going on- things to do, places to go, friends to visit- just rustle around in the closet for those waterproof shoes and hooded raincoat and you’re good to go!

 

While you’re bustling around town be sure to stop at the Hoquiam Farmers Market for an infusion of homemade good food and heartfelt hospitality!  We have more homegrown apples coming in this week, and boxes of huge yummy pears are waiting for you.  Pat & Ruth are still harvesting green beans, and our tables are still laden with all sorts of local produce.

 

Oh, and don’t forget the honey!  We have an abundant supply of many varieties; wildflower, fireweed, blackberry, snowberry- in any size you want.  The bees have been in a frenzy all summer long, storing up the precious microscopic bits of pollen and nectar.  Their hives are carefully brought into areas where they can feed on the sweetest food, and they work from sun-up to sun-down.  Queen Bee stays home, of course.  Well, I guess somebody has to be in charge of all that activity!

Honey is simply the purest form of food in existence.  Did you know that it will never spoil?  The honeycombs are put into a spinner to extract the honey, and then it is put into jars.  That’s all.  No additives, no processing- the bees did all the work themselves!  Our honey lives in a warming cupboard, which keeps it at the perfect temperature, ready to pour out in a thick golden stream.  Biscuits & honey, buttered toast & honey, tea & honey, peanut butter & honey, carrots & honey, honey glazed ham- is there anything that isn’t better with honey?

 

Lest you think that the wax honeycomb is a useless by-product of the honey making, no sir!  Our favorite candlemaker, Jenny, takes all of that beautiful unscented beeswax and creates candles which will transform these darkening nights into a sanctuary of peaceful flickering shadows.  I believe it is a scientific fact that no one has ever been known to rush thru a meal when it is accompanied by candlelight.  

 

Clearly, the Hoquiam Farmers Market is on a mission to provide you with healthy alternatives to factory produced foods! If you lived in a city, how often would you even see a cow grazing in a field?  There are several local farmers who raise grass fed, hormone-free beef.  These cattle have the chance to live in a wide open pasture with fresh air, green grass, and plenty of time to think cow thoughts.  They are coming of age very soon, ready for that transition into food for the table.  If you are interested in purchasing a whole, half or quarter you can call Ellen at 360-532-7294 or email her at ptnew@techline.com  Tom Dineen also has beef available, angus@coastaccess.com  Ph.532-7253

 

Speaking of healthy non-toxic food- you have a rare opportunity to view a documentary film this Friday, 7pm at the 7th Street Theatre, titled ‘Food, Inc.’   I’m not saying that this is an easy film to watch- a Disney production it ain’t- but it is an important look at the current American food industry.  The sad truth is that most of our food comes from highly mechanized sources where cleanliness, concern for the animals, safety of workers and consumer health are sadly lacking.  If you are interested, please click here    http://www.foodincmovie.com/  We do have some free tickets available at The Market.  

 

Diedra’s Deli will be closed the rest of this week so that Deidra can take a well-deserved break.  Not that she doesn’t love making her monster sandwiches and salads for all of us grateful, hungry folks- I know that her dedication comes thru in every single bite!  She’ll be back at the deli on Monday, ready to whip up whichever favorite you want.  Refreshed and beaming, with one of the most infectious laughs I’ve ever heard.

 

Barbara Bennett Parsons   538-9747,   1958 Riverside in Hoquiam

open        Wed. & Thu. 9-5;     Fri & Sat. 9-6;    Sunday 10-4