Yesterday's Farmers' Market at MCC was a lively event, shortened by the sound of rumbling thunder and the threat of severe weather coming in from the west. Our brave band of merry farmers and vendors were a dedicated group, setting up and having the market for as long as possible under the pine trees by the band shell on Manchester Community College's campus. Our beloved Colette from La Brioche was back this week with chocolate eclairs, pies, French baguettes and pastries. Great Harvest Bread Co. from downtown Manchester brought hearty breads, snack bars and mint chocolate chip cookies (you have not lived, until you've tried one.) Brenda Thompson from Thompson Street Farm was on hand, with micro-greens, Chinese spinach and baby kale. Thompson Street also creates lovely herbal sprays, soaps and sachets from their homegrown lavender and herbs. Sweet Pea Cheese had a variety of goat milk and cow's milk products. The "dill and garlic" or plain "dill" Chevre are fast becoming crowd favorites. As luck, or the weather would have it, MCC's summer programs for children stopped by the market just as we were packing up, and it was heard loud and clear– "Has anyone tried goat milk cheese?"
We missed Tom from Olivia's Garden, who was on vacation this week, but will be back next week with plenty of fresh farm produce. The July 17th market will also see the return of our previous Market Manager, Patrick Sullivan and live music from his group, "Black Cadillac."
Our esteemed colleague and friend, Deborah Simmons performed a shortened live acoustic set yesterday, and the comment was heard– "such a beautiful voice, so mellow." The wind was a challenge as well as the Market Manager vying for the microphone to announce the track of the storm and the close of the market, much to the chagrin of the audience gathered to hear Deborah perform. Deborah will be performing live music again at MCC on Main, July 19 and August 16th from 8pm-10pm. MCC on Main is located in downtown Manchester at 903 Main St. Contact Kenyon Grant: KGrant@manchestercc.edu for more information regarding upcoming programming and events at MCC on Main.
We missed Raw-Youverse yesterday, but perhaps the weather also kept them from trying out the market, apologies to all who came looking for a smoothie. The Community Table sold out of CT-grown organic purple kale, yellow beans, snap peas and snow peas very early as well. And through it all, the calm and relaxing Lani Dove Roth performed miraculous chair massages which left each market attendee who tried one, walking away uplifted and serene. We hope to see everyone back at the MCC Farmers' Market next Wednesday– weather permitting :)
