~~Come and check out the market this Saturday; more vendors are showing up every week! I know it’s hot and we don’t have fall vegetables yet, but some of the veggie re-sellers will have what you’re looking for, which may not be local (some is local) or organic, but still better than what you get in the grocery stores and you are helping to keep us all there for you. Obviously, our stuff IS local and non-chemical or should I say “non-certified Organic” and we personally buy other produce for our own consumption from other vendors at the market. Hey, the coconut oil is supposed to be available again this week from Natural Vibes for Life–I’m really ready for some–and I haven’t gotten around to trying the new vendor’s gourmet fish spreads (they are located at the south end of the market, not far from us); mainly because I know I’ll be hooked!!
~~This week of course we’ll have raw water buffalo milk–for your ‘loved ones’–woof, woof! Please let me know if I should reserve some for you. Veggies and fruit to include: Starfruit, Persimmons, Ice cream bananas, Guavas (last week), Okra, sweet potatoes (last week for awhile), tropical pumpkins (stored supply is getting low), Israeli basil, Redbay leaves (new supply) and more. We’ll be bringing more Super Nutra-loaves, Seasonal Pesto, and maybe some moringa products.
~~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://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/05/36-ways-to-use-whey-and-5-ways-to-make-it/
and of course Raw Milk, which is regularly priced at $9/half gal. or $17/gal. It’s always helpful to pre-order the raw dairy products if possible (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!
- Just to make it fun, we are running a weekly contest. Text Keyword CURB to 51660 to join our text program and enter to win $10 worth of Market Bucks, which can be spent with any Market vendor. Winners will be notified via text each Saturday.
- What happens if you don’t win the week you joined? No worries! You can try again week after week. Just text CURB to 51660 each week (Sunday–Friday), and you’ll be entered for that week’s drawing!
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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!
~~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.
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/farmerscurbmarket.aspx
and sign-up for the market e-newsletter. Dogs, children and fun galore!
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. New supply this week!
Pesto! Various Seasonal ingredients – great for seafood, pasta, potatoes and more! New supply this week!
Florida Red-Bay leaves – use like other dried bay leaves in soups, beans, etc.
Tropical Pumpkins – have small to large sizes available for a short time
Fresh Rosemary – We may bring a couple of small bags
Sweet potatoes – sweet tropical orange flesh & blue sweet potato, which is less sweet with lots of antioxidants; both yummy & super nutritious
Israeli basil – very heat & rain tolerant; tastes and smells wonderful!
Lemongrass culms/leaves – may be available some weeks
Okra – Good supply, but it goes fast
Ice Cream Bananas – this week
Starfruit – should have some this Saturday
Persimmons – Astringent (must be very ripe) & non-astringent (can eat hard, like an apple)
Homemade jams made with very little sugar (organic) – strawberry, strawberry/basil, peach
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!