RDs at Farmers Markets Promote Many

It was 2 years ago I conducted monthly culinary demos at our summer farmers market while employed at the hospital.  Then I retired.  Last year the community services department of the hospital did not take me up on my offer to volunteer my time.  I missed the demos.............and the farmers missed them too.

This year I'm back, working with a local farm family.  They welcomed me into the kitchen of their farm store and meat processing plant.  They worked with the other farmers in the market to gain some produce and cheese donations and they readily provided any other supplies.  I volunteered my time to work at the store the day before the market to prepare ingredients.  We, other farmers and market managers advertised the opening and demos on social media.  The newspaper interviewed farmers and the market staff and wrote a great story.

The opening market was a big success.  We prepared 200 (1/4 cup) samples of Chicken Strawberry Salad.  The salad had 4 ingredients:  Baked Chicken, Mixed Salad Greens, Fresh Cut Strawberries and Feta Cheese.  The dressing had 3 ingredients:  Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Buckwheat Honey.  The dressing was mixed with the chicken just before mixing with the other ingredients.

Chicken Strawberry Salad

200 (1/4 cup) servings

24 pound bone in chicken, baked, skin and bone removed, diced
2 pound feta cheese, crumbled
6 # lettuce, torn in small pieces
7 pound strawberries, stem removed, sliced

Dressing
1 1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup honey
1 cup 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

RDs at Farmers Markets Promote Many Things:

• Improving the health of the people of our state.
• Advancing education of the community.
• Empowering members to be food and nutrition leaders.
• Supports the farmers.
• Increases the farmers sales.
• Builds positive relationship with community members.
• Learning and enjoyment for the RD