Suburban Life: County Farm Markets, Stands Offer Variety Of Gourds For Carving, Baking

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fall is here, and that means its time to begin thinking about the season’s fruits, vegetables and decorations.

Fresh-picked apples are available from mid-August through mid-November. And while pears and watermelons should be around through the first part of October, you probably won’t find corn, beans and tomatoes after the middle of September.

Pumpkins and gourds are now out in full force, along with other fall decorations including Indian corn, hay bales, corn stalks and mums.

York County has a wealth of locally owned markets and stands where you can find fall fruits, vegetables and family activities.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/community/ci_26583752/suburban-life-pumpkins-gourds

Rep. Mark Painter: Farmers’ Market Vouchers Available For Seniors.

SANATOGA, PA –  State Rep. Mark Painter, D-Montgomery, reminds older residents about a program that provides low-income seniors with vouchers redeemable for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at local farmers’ markets.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides qualified seniors with four vouchers totaling $20 that they may exchange for Pennsylvania-grown produce. Recipients are given a list of participating farmers and farmers’ markets when they receive their checks.

“This program is immensely beneficial for senior citizens to enhance their daily diet with nutritious produce grown right here in Pennsylvania,” said Painter, a member of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

To qualify, recipients must be 60 or older by Dec. 31, with a total household income before taxes of less than $21,589 for a single person, $29,100 for a couple and $36,611 for a family of three, based on 2013 income.

The vouchers will be distributed at the Pottstown Cluster from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays and Fridays; and at the Pottstown Senior Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The vouchers, made available through funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, are distributed on a first-come basis.

Painter said constituents with questions may contact his office at 610-326-9563.

Contact: Tom Andrews, 717-787-7895

Container Gardens Spring Up In Pottstown, Great Alternative For Beginners

POTTSTOWN — The sun is shining on some days and the rain is pouring on others, which makes it the season of gardening.

Although it’s the season to grow, gardening can seem intimidating for people who’ve never done it before.

Garden manager Laura Washington of the MOSAIC Pottstown Community Gardens said container gardening is a great option for beginners.

“It allows for gardeners to contain their garden in a small space,” she said.

Container gardening is also preferable for people with limitations such as arthritis in their knees, Washington said. People can place their carton on a stool or tabletop and work sitting down, she said.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20140429/container-gardens-spring-up-in-pottstown-great-alternative-for-beginners

The Produce And Information Stand Will Open Again This Saturday At The Mosaic Community Garden

Thanks to our generous garden members and our generous garden plots, we have plenty tomatoes, green peppers, herbs and local fruit for sale!

Stop by and pick up the latest copy of Organic Gardening or other information on food justice and where to buy fresh, wholesome foods in our local area!  We have a list of local organizations and companies who offer nothing but the best.  Pick up a copy during your garden visit this Saturday!

The stand and information stand will be open for business on Saturday, October 5th at 9:30 AM sharp!

Be sure to get there early so you don’t miss out on some of the super-fresh items being offered Saturday!  This may be your last chance…

Summer Of 2013 Suits Crops Just Swell

Editor’s note:  A good reason to buy local and support local growers!

A hot and rainy July has left Berks County crops looking good and tasting great.

“They’ve been beautiful,” Carolyn Preston said Friday of the 25 varieties of peaches she grows at her South Heidelberg Township orchard.  “I’ve been selling out within hours.”

Peaches are picked and sold daily at Preston Orchards, 168 Preston Road, and are never put in cold storage so they don’t lose flavor, she said.

“We’ve been getting the best of both worlds,” she said of the heat and rain.  “The apples are looking good, too.”

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=496174

Buy Fresh Buy Local invites York County Residents To Discover Locally Grown Food And To Support Area Farmers

“Food. 1-buy it with thought, 2-cook it with care, 3-use less wheat and meat, 4-buy local foods, 5-serve just enough… – NARA – 512592 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  We here at Roy’s Rants fully support any Buy Fresh Buy Local program!

York County Buy Fresh Buy Local invites you to learn more about the home grown goodness York County has to offer.

Miller Plant Farm will host the Tastes of York event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15 with sample goods from local vendors and musical entertainment.

BFBL is about supporting local farmers and growers and helping consumers to un derstand the importance of buying locally grown foods and how to find those local growers.

“Nutrition is tied to freshness. Why buy some thing that is shipped when you can find fresh food grown right here in York County?,” Dave Miller said.

The proceeds from Tastes of York go to sup port Buy Fresh Buy Local and to help pay for the food guide for this year, he said.

Read more: http://www.inyork.com/community/ci_23384025/homegrown-goodness

Mosaic Community Gardens Work/Fun Day

Pottstown, PA— Have you ever wanted to have your own garden, but didn’t have enough room in your yard?  Would you like your children to learn how to grow their own fresh vegetables, but don’t know where to begin?  Would you like to meet a diverse group of individuals who love spending time outdoors?

The MOSAIC Community Land Trust Community Garden is waiting for YOU! Located at 423 Chestnut Street.

The community garden is now accepting applications for this year’s growing season!  On Saturday, April 13^th from 9-12 – the garden will host its first Work & Play day of the season.  There will be a brief information session to explain what community gardens are all about and to take applications for raised bed garden plots for the 2013 season.  There will be a wide range of free seeds and seedlings for garden plot owners to dig in and plant that day.

Garden plot owners pay a small annual fee to lease their plot and actively cultivate it throughout the entire growing season.  The MOSAIC encourages new and seasoned gardeners alike to be a part of this neighborly experience.  Individuals, families, community organizations, youth groups, and local restaurants are all welcome to apply for a plot.

Can’t make on the 13th?  The next Garden Work & Play Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 20^th from 9-12. Please make a note of it and plan to attend.

For more information, contact Laura Washington, Garden Manager, at 484-300-2410 or wash5000@msn.com.

Allentown Wins National Award For Fighting Childhood Obesity

The future of the city’s fruit-and-vegetable green cart is no longer followed by a question mark.

Allentown took home a first-place national award — and a $120,000 grant — for the program, securing its immediate future fighting childhood obesity.

Six cities were honored nationally. Allentown was the only city in Pennsylvania to win recognition for the award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Association.

“More than 40 percent of our kids are either overweight or obese,” Mayor Ed Pawlowski said. “We are tackling that problem head-on.”

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-obesity-prevention-award-20120118,0,2108514.story