Organic and Heirloom Seed Exchange on March 29, 2008!

Traders Point is proud to have the Slow Foods Seed Exchange at our Green Market on Saturday, March 29 from 10:00am-1:00pm.  This Seed Exchange is a great opportunity for individuals to share seeds with others that have been saved from organic and heirloom plants.  If you do not have any seeds to exchange don’t worry you can buy some. 

If you are not familiar with this terminology or the practice of saving seeds from generations past, take a few minutes to check it out.  Seed exchanging is the best way for the plants to remain off of the endangered species list, plus it helps to preserve unique local and cultural strains.  The mission of a seed exchange is to retain the integrity of plant species.

Did you know:
•    Since the 1600's 1,140 edible plant species have become extinct.
•    31,500 are on the endangered species list
•    80% of the global diet comes from 4 plants: Rice, Corn, Wheat, Potatoes
•    Seed companies discontinue seed cultivation based on demand.  Last year 25% of commercial seeds were dropped, dooming them to extinction

Join us for this opportunity to exchange seeds, learn new skills and diversify your garden. No matter the level of your gardening ability, you'll enjoy the chance to mingle with other gardeners and swap favorite seeds and bulbs.

$10 Lunch Special in The Loft

 This week we are featuring a delicious spring-time favorite, Egg Salad.  We are taking our free-range organic eggs and creating a fresh and flavorful Egg Salad sandwich.  Our Egg Salad has diced red onion, green peppers and fresh chives served on toasted whole grain bread severed with a side of our signature salad.  

Join us for lunch Wednesday thru Saturday in the Creamery Cafe from 11:30am-2pm.  Reservations are accepted and encouraged for large parties by calling 733-1700, ext. 25.

The Green Market

Wow!  It’s exciting to see the Red Barn full of folks!  Last weekend, we had a full house of vendors.  This weekend, we have even more!  Let me formally introduce Stan and Laura Skillington of Skillington Farms even though you may have seen them last Saturday.  Stan and Laura come from Lebanon, Indiana where they raise their animals on pasture, do not use hormones, steroids, antibiotics or growth incentives.  They plan to be here each weekend so be sure to stop by and say “hello”.

The folks taking care of the Seed Exchange will be along the South end of the Red Barn exchanging or selling seeds.  This will be a great resource for Organic and Heirloom seeds. 

These are the vendors who plan to be here Saturday, March 29:
* Bluffwood Creek Honey-creamed honey in a variety of flavors including jalapeno, honey sticks, lip balm, and salves all made with honey
* Brown Family Farm-100% Grass Fed Beef in a variety of cuts; lamb; and stewing hens
* Endangered Species Chocolate-organic and natural chocolate bars
* Flower Child Aromatherapy-handmade soaps, sachets, incense, and perfumes
* Grabow Orchards-breads, pies, dumplings, sorghum, apples, and applesauce
* Harvest Cafe Coffee Company-freshly brewed coffee, a variety of freshly roasted coffee beans or freshly ground beans 
* Harvest Lodge Catering-a variety of tamales, sweets, soups, and salsas; granola
* Homestead Growers-mushrooms, mushroom patties, tomato sauce, and ravioli
* Hoover's Country Store-nitrite and nitrate free bacon, ham and other pork products; lard, freshly ground cornmeal and real maple syrup!
* Murphy Farms- fresh chicken eggs
* New Day Meadery-a variety of honey meads
* Peace Leaf Tea-custom green tea blends and tea accessories
* Perfect Pick Catering-soup and salsas like Spicy Black-eyed Pea and Kingston
* Phelps Family Farm-a variety of meats and sausages as well as eggs
* Redwine Farm- a variety of dehydrated vegetables, frozen whole tomatoes; lots of peppers; beef; turkey and duck eggs
* Seldom Seen Farm-a variety of greens
* Seven Springs Farm-beef, stewing hens, eggs, and Border Collie puppies!
* Skillington Farms-a wide variety of chicken cuts and whole roasters plus chicken eggs
* The Swiss Connection-unique cheeses, meats and ice cream plus a variety of pet products
* Top to Bottom Cleansers-an all natural multi-purpose home cleanser for everything from mirrors to countertops
* Traders Point Creamery-a variety of grass fed, Certified Organic, non-homogenized dairy products; 100% grass-fed beef; and free range eggs
* Valentine Hill-a variety of homemade breads, including a new wheat-free Spelt bread; baked goods and pasta 
* The Village Bakery –whole grain donuts, breads, and pastries
 
Come by any Saturday through the end of April to see what we're all about. The Green Market runs from 9am-12noon in rain, snow, hot and cold weather. The Creamery Cafe serves breakfast from 9-11:30am and lunch from 11:30am-2pm so no matter what time you get here, there's a hot meal waiting.  Keep in mind most of our vendors accept cash and check only.  A few vendors can accept credit and debit cards.  The Farm Store, The Dairy Bar, and The Creamery Cafe all accept cash, check, credit, and debit

Help Us Hit a Ton of Paper Recycling this month!

As you know we like to nourish the land that nourishes us all and we ask that you join us in our recycling efforts.  At the South end of our parking lot we have a yellow and green colored dumpster especailly for recycling newspapers, magazines, and paper.  Help us acheive our goal to recycle one ton of paper each month!

 

Eggstraordinaire!

The refrigerator in The Farm Store is busting at the seams with free-range organic eggs.  We have dozen upon dozens of eggs to sell.  Now is a great time to stock up!  Take home a dozen or so and make a healthy egg salad for lunch or scramble 'em up to go with that left over ham.  The possibilities are egg-endless!!

New Customers

The Cheese Shop in The Fashion Mall at Keystone Crossing, is now carrying our raw milk Fleur de la Terre and our new "Chouda" Cheddar-Gouda cheese. 

The Cheese Shop provides Indianapolis with some of the finest cheeses from around the world, and now they have finest cheeses from just around the block!  We are proud to be among their selection of fine foods.

Farm Bloomington is now serving gourmet yogurt parfaits, featuring an assortment of Traders Point Creamery European style yogurts.  Don't miss chef Daniel Orr's new restaurant with a focus on local fresh ingredients matched with exotic flavors from around the world on your next visit to Bloomington.  Our yogurt is featured on their brunch menu, paired with coconut and sesame granola and fresh fruit.  For more information visit their website- www.farm-bloomington.com or see for yourself at 108 East Kirkwood Ave.

Recipe of the Week

Egg Salad

12 Traders Point  organic free-range eggs
1/2 medium red onion, chopped
1 stalk celery (with leaves), chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt


Serving suggestions: 8 slices country-style organic whole grain bread, sliced tomatoes, salad greens

In a small bowl soak the onions in cold water for 15 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, place the eggs and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Cover the eggs, remove from the heat, and set aside for 8 minutes. Drain the water from the pan and cool the eggs in the pan under cold running water. Peel the eggs and cut into sixths.
In a large bowl, mix together the onion, celery, mayonnaise, chives, mustard, lemon juice, and salt.

Add the eggs to the mayonnaise mixture and gently mix them together. Season with pepper, to taste.

Use in sandwiches, with lettuce and tomatoes, or in a salad.