Organic shopping at the Glenwood Sunday Market

Sunday morning at the Glenwood Farmers Market is delightful. I was a bit sleepy even after my 2 giant mugs of coffee as I walked down the cobblestones of Glenwood Ave from my vehicle. I LOVE that they offer bicycle valet service but this was not going to be the day. As I approached the market desk I got excited about the giant press pot of coffee sitting in front of Sheree the market director. Now fueled, I was ready to hit the stands.

Earth First orchard was sampling and selling their juice as they gear up for cider season. Their cider is amazing! I can drink a gallon easily. They are all organic too! I gotten to know the staff from markets that we’ve done together. Nice people!

Jim Vitalo is known as the Vinegar Man (Herbally Yours Vinegar) is there too! He and his wife are the best vinegar & hot sauce makers, ever! Their approach to no salt, no msg, and no sugars in their product lead them to represent Slow Foods USA in Italy at the world conference. I always have his vinegar & hot sauce on my shelf. Jim is always friendly, knowledgeable and happy to share recipes and ideas with you. Good people!

I definitely needed some veggies. Beautiful heirloom tomatoes, tiny crisp cucumbers and delightful fungi jumped into my market bag. I am very excited to make a simple vinaigrette to toss with these sweet tomatoes and cucumbers and my mushrooms will be grilled tonight!

It was a lovely surprise to meet Jenny from Phoenix Bean in person. Her tofu rocks! I order her product and my friend Vera from Videnovich Farms drops it off for me but I never get to meet Jenny. She is a delight. Not only is her product fresh and local, she has a custom grow order. So she knows exactly where and when! I love her extra firm tofu pan sautéed with a citrus-almond crust. Definitely stop by and taste her sauces. They are fresh and full of flavor layers, so much so that their sauces sell out fast.

Sweet finish…Katherine Anne confections. Need I say more? I can’t decide if the Apricot Basil or the Citrus Truffles are my favorite. Come to think of it, it is the Blackberry Fennel. Or was it? Hmmm I’ll decide when I have the last two flavors tonight.

What a lovely surprise! It is home!