We need your help!
One of our favorite parts of the markets we run is the magical transformations we see each day. At all three locations, we change an ordinary parking lot into a vibrant community gathering place and back again within just a few hours.
If you've ever been at the market at closing time, you may have caught a glimpse of how quickly things go back to normal, but did you know that all of that work is done by only a few people? Along with a dedicated corps of volunteers, the Neighborhood Roots staff move about 1000lbs a day to help create your market!We could use your help. Our Nokomis market has plenty of opportunities for new volunteers
If you're interested in learning more about the behind the scenes view of the market, sign up for volunteering now! You can fill out an interest form here. Not only will you learn a lot about the market and help your community, if you do set up or tear down, you'll also get quite the workout. Several volunteers have told us that their work with us is their new favorite arm exercise.
If heavy lifting isn't your thing, that is okay! We have lots of other opportunities for volunteers to get involved. Just let us know in your interest form what might work for you. As you see in the photo above, we've got volunteers of all ages and abilities, and we'd love to see what you bring to the table!
Tech Dump
It's never too late for spring cleaning, especially here in Minnesota where spring only lasts about a week. This year, we want to help you clean out your junk drawer and get rid of your old electronics while helping a good cause! That's why we are bringing Tech Dump to each of our markets this year.
Tech Dump is a local nonprofit that helps you safely dispose of your old cell phones, tablets, and cords while also providing job training to adults facing barriers to their employment. To learn more about this amazing organization, check out their website here.
It can be hard to remember which week each of our amazing events is happening, so be sure to check out our Facebook events for reminders - each one is linked below!
Quick on the draw?
We know that there are so many fun things to see at the market, and we want to help you share your favorites with your friends and family!
For the first time ever, Neighborhood Roots is putting together a coloring book full of line drawings submitted by our market-goers. All of our favorite submissions will be made into a coloring book that will be sold at all three of our markets, and all proceeds will support the market that you know and love.
We'll be providing supplies and help at Fulton and Kingfield this weekend (June 29th and 30th) and at Nokomis on July 3rd! To share with your friends, visit our Facebook events pages here:
To learn more, visit our info table at any of the markets.
To submit a design, email emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org any time this season!
Nokomis Bake-Off July 24th!
Do you wish you could be on the Great British Bake-Off? Do you want baking bragging rights? Can you bake a beautiful brioche? Enter our Nokomis Farmers Market Bake-Off below!
All you need to do is make 100 sample sized bites of your favorite baked item and bring your creation to the Nokomis Farmers Market Info table on Wednesday, July 24th 18th by 4:30pm. We know 100 samples sounds like a lot, but even 25 cookies or your standard 9x11 baking dish can bear that many!
If you can't make it to the market, contact Emily at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to make alternative arrangements.
Special consideration will go to those who use local, seasonal produce from the market! We'll have rhubarb, greens, strawberries, and herbs for all of your sweet and savory needs. We even sell eggs!
For just $5, your neighbors will purchase a sampler plate of all of the entries and vote their favorite. Eating Judging will start at 10am and all proceeds will support the market. The winner will receive a special market prize pack and 15 minutes of fame!
To enter your baked good(s), fill out the form below:
Fulton Bake-Off July 13th!
Do you wish you could be on the Great British Bake-Off? Do you want baking bragging rights? Can you bake a beautiful brioche? Enter our Fulton Farmers Market Bake-Off below!
All you need to do is make 100 sample sized bites of your favorite baked item and bring your creation to the Fulton Farmers Market Info table on Saturday, July 13th by 9:30am. We know 100 samples sounds like a lot, but even 25 cookies or your standard 9x11 baking dish can bear that many!
If you can't make it to the market, contact Emily at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to make alternative arrangements.
Special consideration will go to those who use local, seasonal produce from the market! We'll have rhubarb, greens, strawberries, and herbs for all of your sweet and savory needs. We even sell eggs!
For just $5, your neighbors will purchase a sampler plate of all of the entries and vote their favorite. Eating Judging will start at 10am and all proceeds will support the market. The winner will receive a special market prize pack and 15 minutes of fame!
To enter your baked good(s), fill out the form below:
Kingfield Bake-Off June 23rd!
Do you wish you could be on the Great British Bake-Off? Do you want baking bragging rights? Can you bake a beautiful brioche? Enter our Kingfield Farmers Market Bake-Off below!
All you need to do is make 100 sample sized bites of your favorite baked item and bring your creation to the Kingfield Farmers Market Info table on Sunday, June 23rd by 9:30am. We know 100 samples sounds like a lot, but even 25 cookies or your standard 9x11 baking dish can bear that many!
If you can't make it to the market, contact Emily at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to make alternative arrangements.
Special consideration will go to those who use local, seasonal produce from the market! We'll have rhubarb, greens, strawberries, and herbs for all of your sweet and savory needs. We even sell eggs!
For just $5, your neighbors will purchase a sampler plate of all of the entries and vote their favorite. Eating Judging will start at 10am and all proceeds will support the market. The winner will receive a special market prize pack and 15 minutes of fame!
To enter your baked good(s), fill out the form below:
What's happening at the markets in June?
by Sarah Woutat for the Southwest Journal
The Neighborhood Roots farmers markets are in full swing with produce coming into season and lots of meats, canned goods, prepared food and crafts available. Of course you come to the market to buy your groceries and chat with your farmers, but the market is also a community space where you can learn, be creative and dance. We have a great lineup of events and music this summer to round out your market experience.
June is a busy month with the Nokomis market opening Wednesday, June 12, a bake-off at Kingfield, cooking demos, music and lots more.
At Fulton, during the weekend of May 31, enjoy the musical stylings of brass band Preludes to a Blizzard. At Kingfield you can reduce your environmental footprint by learning more about recycling, composting and renewable energy, while listening to music by Steve West and the Northern Stars. All music is from 10 a.m. to noon.
Come to Fulton for your morning yoga with Blooma from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 8, and then learn about how to make a worm hotel! Come to Kingfield from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 9 to learn about vermicomposting. Broken Heartland String Band will play at both Fulton and Kingfield that weekend.
Wednesday, June 12, is opening day at Nokomis. We’ll be there from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with all of your grocery needs and plenty to choose from for dinner, as well as worm hotels and music by Leonor Guelbenzu.
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own fermented foods, Jim from Topos Ferments will be teaching you how at Fulton from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 15. And the Raptor Center is back at Kingfield, from noon to 1 p.m. on June 16. Come to the market for an up-close view of eagles, owls, hawks and other raptors. Before the birds arrive, dance to One Ukelele’s upbeat tunes. Also, make sure you shop for ingredients for the next week’s Kingfield bake-off.
On June 22, Hana Bistro will be doing an Asian-inspired cooking demo with Fulton market ingredients and One Ukelele will provide tunes for the morning. On June 24, Hana Bistro will donate 10% of all dine-in, take-out and delivery orders to the Fulton Farmers Market.
June 23 is the Kingfield Farmers Market bake-off! Sign up online in advance and submit your creation by 9 a.m. We encourage you to use ingredients from the market in your recipe. Not a baker? We need you too! Buy a plate of goodies starting at 10 a.m. and vote for the winner. All proceeds from the bake-off support the Kingfield Farmers Market.
The winner will receive a special market prize pack, and well as 15 minutes of fame. Details are at neighborhoodrootsmn.org.
Market Fest at Nokomis is June 26. Our market host, First Evangelical Free Church, is hosting a community event that night, so we expect a bustling market evening. Preludes to a Blizzard will toot their horns while you participate in Market Science, a hands-on learning program.
During the last weekend in June, we’re making a Neighborhood Roots coloring book. Bring your submission to the markets, stop by and draw one, or email or mail it in. Make sure to include your name, age and which market you attend. We’ll compile all of the drawings and share the final product with our market community. The Matthew St. Francis Band will be at Fulton and the Roe Family Singers will be at Kingfield to round out great market days.
Double SNAP benefits with Market Bucks!
From KSTP: Market Bucks helps families fighting hunger at farmers markets
One non-profit is making sure low-income families don't go without food this summer.
The Food Group's farmer education program makes sure SNAP purchases can go a long way.
Farmers markets here in the Twin Cities and across the state are participating in the Market Bucks program. The goal is to not only support families fighting hunger but also provides an opportunity for emerging local farmers.
Big River Farms has a stand at the Kingfield Farmers Market.
"I know Market Bucks is a way for low-income families to have better buying power with their EBT cards, and it's just a way for people to get more fruits and vegetables, so I am all for it," said Faro Jones, a beginner farmer with Big River Farms.
The Market Bucks program offers a double your SNAP-EBT purchases up to $10 at participating farmers markets.
The program, run by the state, is in its third year and continues to grow.
The Food Group says it's a win-win for farmers and local families who need it the most.
"For folks who are struggling to afford food, summer is tough because kids are out of school and if they were getting free lunch at school, that's gone. Families are really struggling to afford the food they need to feed their families and what's great about Market Bucks is not only does it stretch people's buying power but also benefits local farmers," said Sophia Lenarz-Coy with the Food Group.
Kingfield opening day!
Are you ready for the first Kingfield Farmers Market of the year? Enjoy the local Americana, folk band One Ukulele while you up-cycle your old t-shirts into tote bags. You can also get a snack from Chef Shack Ranch and Northern Fires Pizza while you shop for your plant starts and produce.
Did you know that less than half of our operating budget comes from stall fees? The rest is from our amazing donors and community partners. If you want to support the market consider becoming a volunteer or a donor. To learn more, check out our volunteer and donor pages. Fulton volunteers help us with set up, tear down, story time, kid’s crafts, and so much more!
To learn more, check out our Instagram or our Facebook pages or sign up for our newsletter. Don’t forget to tag us @neighborhoodrootsmn!
Fulton opening day!
The day we've all been waiting for is almost here! Come join us at the opening weekend for Fulton Farmers Market! Not only will we have plant starts and local produce, but we will also have great food by Oh Crepe and Alimama's. Listen to the self proclaimed "good time, old time, hillbilly band" Roe Family Singers while you make your own re-usable tote bag for yourself or your neighbor through our new "take a tote, leave a tote" program!
Did you know that less than half of our operating budget comes from stall fees? The rest is from our amazing donors and community partners. If you want to support the market consider becoming a volunteer or a donor. To learn more, check out our volunteer and donor pages. Fulton volunteers help us with set up, tear down, story time, kid's crafts, and so much more!
To learn more, check out our Instagram or our Facebook pages or sign up for our newsletter. Don't forget to tag us @neighborhoodrootsmn!