~~More great produce coming in at Ecofarm! We officially have our carrots ready, some Red Mizuna, Dandelion, Spinach–and all five kales for our trademark bundles. The kales are so young and tender at this point that we have to bundle them delicately–or just bag them when stems break…any way that you get them they’re simply the best. Once you eat our heirloom collards you’ll be hooked on those too. You’ll be thrilled to know that we’ll finally be bringing a little lettuce this week; it’s soooo sloooow this year. Next week I see some nice romaines that will be ready (maybe some small ones this week). The Sungold Cherry tomatoes are going nuts, and, the beautiful heirloom tomatoes are ripening more and more. To top off your salad pick up some of our cucumbers, arugula, red radishes, green onions and dill…WOW! Hog heaven for real salad lovers. Actually, Karen’s Seasonal Pesto can be diluted to make a killer salad dressing to really top it off.
~~We hosted a very successful sugarcane event last Sunday, with potluck and good cheer–and more of our Pure Cane Syrup. A few folks bought some our potted edible plants, produce, water buffalo meat and milk (“for pet consumption”) and other items we had for sale. If you want to see how it’s done, look for our next announcement in this email.
~~Check below for other items we may be bringing to the market this week, and don’t forget to come early for surprise items and those in high demand…see you at the market!
~~Raw Water Buffalo Milk & other ‘Pet Consumption’ 
products (ask us if you don’t know what this means): When milk is plentiful we’ll have good farmers cheeses, Kefir, buttermilk (best for cooking; the fluffiest pancakes ever!), unsalted creamy white butter, Whey http://
and of course Raw Milk, which is regularly priced at $9/half gal. or $17/gal. However, we have been eating/drinking all of this ourselves and other than the Raw Milk can only make it for you if you order ahead of time(Please give us a week – ecofarmfl@yahoo.com).
~~For our complete availability list (except for last minute items) check the bottom of this email.
~~Thanks for your support!! See you at the Market Saturday 
Check this out from the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbmarket Newsletter:Text to Win!
Keep up with Market news via text message!
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~~We are always happy to take your used, clean plastic grocery bags (no garbage please) and green pint baskets that strawberries come in…Please remember to bring them to us this week…Thanks!
~~ Italian ischia sourdough starter http://www.telegraph.
and Pizza dough, ready to use right away–active and ready to use (please pre-order this a week before so it can be activated) $9. Also, let me know ahead of time and we can have a Kombucha ‘mother’ available for making your own brew (also $9).
~~Raw Water Buffalo Milk sales: We normally sell milk in plastic half gallon containers @$9 and a convenient quart size plastic container for $5. If you would prefer quart or half gallon wide mouth glass containers there will be a $1& $2 deposit to cover the cost of the jars and you will need to let us know ahead of time by email. Kefir only comes in quart sized jars ($8 or $7 with a wide-mouth quart jar to trade). Butter comes in 8 oz. plastic containers for $8. Remember, this is for ‘Pet Consumption Only’ by Florida law. Your ‘Pet’ will be eating like royalty 🙂
~~We grow everything organically; all ‘chemicals’ are OMRI approved for Organic growers and our fertilizers consist of composted manures (buffalo and more) and fish emulsion. We are not Certified Organic as the cost and ongoing paperwork is prohibitive for ‘real’ farmers–and there are too many variances allowed for Corporate Organic farms–and now they are certifying hydroponics so many original Organically Certified dirt farmers are speaking out and/or dropping their certifications, which are now meaningless. Remember: Ecofarmers do it in the Dirt!
Ecofarm is currently able to participate in only one market with super fresh, organically grown produce (not Certified) and other farm products for your convenience:
* Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbmarket Saturdays 8AM-2PM all year except August. We are located on Kentucky Avenue in front of Crispers restaurant. Check out the market website at www.ldda.org/home/
and sign-up for the market e-newsletter. Dogs, children and fun galore!
* Temple Terrace Farmers Market – Saturdays 9AM-1:00PM – A true Farmers Market – For more information check it out at:http://www.ttfarmersmarket.
or https://www.facebook.
Note: We have been providing some of our produce to this market and will continue to increase our support whenever possible.
~~The Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbmarket is now taking your EBT/SNAP cards; and you can double your dollars by purchasing Florida grown produce & honey!! There are about 25 of us selling honey, cane syrup, cottage industry foods, produce, breads, seeds, edible plants and more that qualifies for SNAP; and about six of us that can double your money with our produce, thanks to the Fresh from Florida program. The Market booth is set up at the south end of the market and they can explain the process and you can purchase tokens. Vendors participating in the program will have a sign in front of their booths. In addition, you can ride the bus free in Polk County to come to our market and participate in this program. Please pass the word!
Following are some of the products we may be bringing to the market this week:
Super-Nutra Loaf – Fresh weekly; full of seeds & nuts.
Pesto! Various Seasonal ingredients – great for seafood, pasta, potatoes and more!
Florida Red-Bay leaves – use like other dried bay leaves in soups, beans, etc.
Fresh Rosemary – We may bring a couple of small bags
Sweet potatoes – Available this week! 2-3 varieties; our yummy sweet potatoes have a reputation!
Dino kale! – The most heat tolerant kale; more varieties coming soon
Sungold Cherry tomatoes – Finally, a good supply
Heirloom Tomatoes – just starting to ripen! No comparison in flavor!
Spinach – our luscious, semi-savoy spinach is back
Pink Pomellos – few left
Green onions – beautiful bundles this week!
Heirloom collards – nice bundles
Mustard greens – resting this week
Mizuna – very small crop – beautiful, lacy red mizuna is a mild green good for salad mix or lightly cooked
Arugula – good supply, nice large leaves
Red radishes – decent supply this week
Cilantro!
Cucumbers!
Carrots – perfect bundles with tops intact–and very edible
Strawberries – a few pints now available
Semi-savoy (crinkled leaves) Spinach – Just starting to get big enough
Lambs-quarters – Wild greens that are super nutritious and tasty
Wild purslane – another wild plant that is more nutritious that what we try to grow–and tasty too!
Israeli basil – very heat & rain tolerant; tastes and smells wonderful!
Lemongrass culms/leaves – may be available some weeks
Powdered Moringa – just a teaspoon in your breakfast or other meals does wonders
Okra – small supply, we may be taking them out soon
Dandelion – a few bundles
Starfruit – Not this week
Homemade jams made with very little sugar (organic) – strawberry, strawberry/basil, peach and Cranberry Hibiscus
Pure Cane syrup – Yes! Give our own local, sustainable sweetness a try; not just for pancakes.
Luffa seed packets – not currently available
Luffa sponges – Check out the real thing–and no, they don’t come from the ocean!
Java Planet Coffees (whole bean, Organic, Fair Trade, Shade Grown & Bird Friendly!) Good Selection of single, blends, dark & medium roasts
Thanks for supporting local farmers, artists, musicians and craftspeople!
Debbie, Jon & Billy plus C.J. & Hayley–the kiddies that inspire us
Ecofarmers do it in the dirt!