I can’t believe its been a week since the last farmers market. Time goes by so fast.
Both this week and last week I ran into Tina Thompson, a local Clarkstonite and one my best wines reps from National Wine & Spirits. Tina and I were curious about the price differences between normal eggs and free-range eggs. The normal eggs were going for about $3/$3.50 dozen and the free-range eggs cost about $4.50 dozen. Last week Tina purchased both to do a taste test and the results are in. She said hands down the free-range eggs were tastier.
One way you can tell the quality of an egg is the hardness of the shell. If you crack the egg and it is soft and brittle its a pretty economical egg. Thats from a farm that’s “pumping” them out if you will. Their primary concern would be quantity not quality. Another trick is the color of the egg yolk. A bright yellowish orange color most likely comes from a chicken that has a good feed. The last big hint is the difference in taste.
Stephanie at Ginn Farms said a major factor in determining the price of the eggs is the cost of grain. She religiously uses flax seed. She said the diet of a laying hen determines the nutritional quality of the egg. Flax seed is the best way to increase Omega-3 in eggs.
Try the egg test yourself at home and see if you notice a difference.

Any way enough about eggs. Today I purchased some organic tomatoes. Yes tomatoes this time of year. How you may ask? Stephanie got them from Green Thumb Produce in Cass City, MI. They are from an Amish farmer that uses some ‘heat the ground method’ and is able to plants crops in his greenhouse during the winter. I was fascinated about this method and will have to do some research (but thats a whole other blog). If you have any information on this farming practice please email it over to me. Thanks. In the meanwhile be sure to stop over from some awesome Caprese Salad or Margarita Pizza. I gave one of the chefs the night off to enjoy the fireworks thus I’m cooking! See ya later.

I love driving through the countryside checking out the scenery, finding cool antique shops and most importantly stumbling across farmers markets. It doesn’t matter if I am in Italy, New York or Michigan I’ll always stop at these stands. Today was one of those days.
Driving along the back roads I discovered the Springfield Farmers’ Market. I was on my way to a catering event when I saw a few hand painted yellow and pastel green a-frame signs promoting the market. After the brunch I swung by to see what they had.
I ended up purchasing some fresh leaf lettuce to mix with our house garden salad. I also scored a bunch of basil for Chef Mike’s tomato basil sauce and the caprese salad. Oh how I love the smell of basil. Personally I ended up buying some ‘natural bee pollen’. The bee lady said its for increased energy. In color and size it looks likes natural cane turbinado sugar. She warned me to only to have 5 a day for a week and then 10 a day. I also got a really cool “Springfield Farmers Market” tee-shirt.

Be sure to check them out:
Springfield Farmers’ Market
12000 Davisburg Rd.
Davisburg, MI 48350
Sundays 10am-2pm

Farmers Market Time

Yesterday marked the opening of many farmers markets including The Clarkston Farmers Market. If you’ve been to it before please note that this year they are at a new location. They are now located in front of the Clarkston Community Education Building.
I woke up early to check out the scene. They had about 20 or so local growers and artists. To become a vendor all goods must be grown within a 100-mile radius and wholesale vendors are prohibited. Both food and non-food sellers must be directly involved with the production of their product. If it says organic, it is. All vendors must show the Market Manager certifications from the State.
I fully support sourcing locally but don’t see why wholesale items are prohibited. To increase foot traffic I think our market should included both local farmers and artists as well as wholesale suppliers. I believe more people would attend increasing the draw to downtown Clarkston. Don’t get me wrong its great to have a locally grown organic heirloom tomato but some people just want an ordinary fresh tomato and they don’t want it from Kroger. Why shouldn’t we let vendors from the Detroit Produce Terminal sell their items in Clarkston? I believe in giving customers choices. The local farmers will still be there and people that want the local, organic items will still buy them.
Sometimes it would be nice to walk back to my apartment with some tropical fruit like mangos, kiwi, or bananas. Sugar cane or avocados imported from Mexico would be cool too. Just because something isn’t grown within 100 mile radius doesn’t mean it isn’t coming from a family owned and operated farm. For example look at my uncles winery in Traverse City. Family owned, family operated, working on organic certification, no pesticides, making cheese, hand cut vines, other than grapes he also has mouth-watering peaches, apples, plums and garlic. But because it easily exceeds the radius I could never sell any of his products at the market. Guess we won’t be seeing any Traverse City cherries either.
In summary never skip a farmers market. I’m just fussy and have a couple pet-peeves. 1. Poor produce selection (because it’s early in our season and of the rules and regulations to participate). 2. I think there are to many prepared foods. I would like to see more artists, fruit, produce and meat vendors.
Again I love farmers markets and will continue to shop at local farmers markets throughout the season but hope for a. increased foot traffic b. better variety and c. lower prices. Below is a list of advantages and disadvantages of ‘local only’ farmers markets.
I would like to hear from you. Email me your thoughts at danny@joebologna.com?
Benefits of buying at a local farmers market:
-local jobs
-high quality
-close to your house
-keeps the dollar circulating around town longer
-fresh, healthy products
-you know where it comes from and if any pesticides or herbicides were used
-less food miles
-less packaging
-community strength
-socialization
-meet the farmer
Disadvantages:
-seasonal availability
-less variety
-more expensive
-less convenient
-limited quantity
-limited hours/days

See you at the
Clarkston Farmers Market
6558 Waldon Rd, Clarkston MI
Saturdays 8am-2pm

Please save me some produce for the restaurant!

Catering is in the air.
I’d like to thank all the customers that have ordered food from us this summer. Whether it was Tray items for Full Service our catering business has skyrocketed. We have done record numbers of weddings, graduations, showers, and brunches. One of my favorite parties was a little unconventional. Because the couple was hosting a fancy antique car club at their compound outside they didn’t want a traditional buffet or stations of food. They were to nervous about bugs, heat and what not. We ended up preparing “toothpick/kabob” style foods that the waitresses offered up cocktail style. It worked perfect! And what a beautiful setting I may add. Mike did a great job creating their menu. Some of their items included prosciutto & mellon, caprese kabob, coconut chicken drizzled with a honey cream sauce kabob, fried risotto balls wrapped in filet mignon, exotic fruit kabobs, gourmet orzo cups.

Look for changes. I am busy building a new site.

Any suggestions on what I should include? email them to me at danny@joebologna.com