We also love to cook, and we’re delighted to welcome Chef Vera Samuels back this Saturday for a cooking demonstration, where she’ll prepare two seasonal dishes:  Shrimp and Bacon on Polenta, and Winter Vegetable Soup with Bacon.  Find her from 10 until around noon talking through her methods and offering tasty samples, as well as copies of her recipes!

In vendor news, you may think we are bringing in someone new, but in fact Belle Terre is changing their name and upgrading their look.  You’ll soon find the Whispering Willow label on bath and household products made by Wayne and Julia.  Read the story here: http://whisperingwillow.net/blog/2012/02/19/whats-in-a-name/.  They’ll also begin offering their pumice soap beginning this week, and introducing other products regularly, so stop by and see what’s new.

Other outstanding new products we’re seeing and hearing about include WHOLE garlic pickles at Pickleville, three ounce honey bears from Cloister Honey, a new menu at Kobe’s Kreations featuring more local ingredients than ever before, and folk art iron flowers by ColdWaterCreek farmer and artist Brad Hinckley – these you have to see to believe.

Today is Fat Tuesday of Mardis Gras, and you’ll see us looking festive and getting a little silly this evening!  Come and get your grits and greens, and we’ll adorn you with a string of colorful beads.  Don’t be afraid to dress up and parade around in your funday finest.  You just never know what’s going to happen at the Atherton Market.

Keeping it fresh and local,
Lynn S. Caldwell
Atherton Market Manager
http://www.facebook.com/athertonmillandmarket

Keeping it fresh and local,
Lynn S. Caldwell
Atherton Market Manager
http://www.facebook.com/athertonmillandmarket

What’s happening this week at the Atherton Market?It’s that time again – now that we are into the New Year, I’m offering up a list of vendors by day at the Atherton Market.  Bear in mind that the rundown for any particular date is subject to change.  Also – there may not seem to be many vendors in attendance on Wednesdays, but many of their products are available through Simply Local.  We’re attempting to address your need for more hours through encouraging our vendors to operate cooperatively.

Enjoy this list, share it with others, use is as a guide but not the gospel, and embrace changes when they happen as an opportunity to experience something new!  In alphabetical order, with descriptions, days and links as available (T=Tuesday, W=Wednesday, S=Saturday):

Belle Terre – A purveyor of all natural, handcrafted soaps, lip balms and related products. They use only organic oils in their soap, lotion, and lip balm; use minimal and recycled packaging; and commit 5% of sales to a local charity while working to be carbon neutral.  Their new display is the “picture of the week.”   http://belleterrenc.com  T,W, S

Beverly’s Gourmet Foods – Beverly’s products are vegetarian and vegan.  She cooks only with olive oil and vegetable oil.  She doesn’t use processed foods, artificial coloring, artificial flavorings, or preservatives  -  only whole foods. http://beverlysgourmetfoods.com   T,W,S

Brewington’s Farm – A variety of NC grown produce using considerate conventional inputs. S

Cardais Gourmet – Cardais Gourmet offers a variety of baked goods, along with specialty granolas, chutneys, and gift bags and boxes. Stop by her booth to check out her photo album of desserts for specials orders — or visit her online at www.cardaisgourmet.com. T,W,S

Cheval Farmstead Dairy – High quality handmade and French style goat cheeses made the old fashioned way.  http://www.facebook.com/chevalfarmsteaddairy  S

Chosen Roaster – Freshly roasted nuts, including pecans, peanuts, almonds, and cashews.  Also preparing to introduce “mix your own” trail mixes!  T,W,S

Cloisters Honey – Cloister Honey offers natural honey as well as a variety of other wonderful honey-based products.  Generous samples – come experience the sweet life!  http://cloisterhoney.myshopify.com/ T,W,S

Clothesline Candy – Aprons and cloth creations handmade in Charlotte.  Sweet, green and clean.  clotheslinecandy.textiles@facebook.com   S

Coldwater Creek Farm – A local grower of certified organic produce.  Also carries dairy products for Cackleberry Farm.   http://coldwatercreekfarms.blogspot.com/ T,S

Dukes Bread – A small commercial bakery with fantastic breads and tasty accompaniments.  Also pizza dough!  http://www.dukesbread.com/    T,S

Harmony Gardens – Urban homestead garden producing unique varieties of produce and lots of eggs, just a few short miles from the market!  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harmony-Gardens/134443333235880?sk=wall S

Houston Farm – Located in Huntersville, Houston Farm produces a great variety and quantity of seasonal produce using considerate conventional means.  http://www.houstonfarm.com/   T,W,S

JW’s Farm – JW’s Farm is committed to bringing fresh, healthy, delicious, local produce and transplants to the Charlotte-Metro area, by using environmentally responsible and sustainable farming methods.   http://www.localharvest.org/jws-farm-M40172  S

Kobe’s Kreations – Restaurant quality prepared foods including entrée’s, sides, accompaniments and soups that you can take home and enjoy in minutes with minimal preparation.   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kobes-Kreations/167977513288403  T,W,S

Landis Gourmet Mushrooms – Landis Gourmet Mushrooms is located in the basement of an old cotton mill that sat vacant for years. They grow three strains of oyster mushrooms and shitakes. T,S

Lomax Incubator -This incubator farm works much like a business incubator. Individuals interested in starting a business as a farmer can enroll in the program which provides classroom instruction on the business of farming in Cabarrus County as well as hands–on experience on the farm. T,W,S

Microfarm Organic Gardens – Organically grown heirloom seedlings and urban farm services including organic garden design, rain harvesting systems, chicken coops and more.   http://www.microfarmgardens.com  S

Monk’s Groovy Beans – Monk’s Groovy Beans is a specialty micro-roasted coffee company located in Fort Mill, SC. Monk’s passion is seeking the finest, green coffee beans from top-notch producers all over Mother Earth, and to keep Mother Earth happy, we choose only fair trade and certified organic beans.  Monk’s Passion for groovy coffee continues as we stay one step ahead in the industry by embracing the latest coffee trends, consulting importing partners as well as industry veterans, and fine-tuning our roasts and blends by our most favorite method: cupping coffee constantly.  http://www.monksgroovybeans.com/ T,W,S

Ohh-lio Express – A mobile taproom serving the Carolina’s with the freshest exotic cooking oils and flavor-infused vinegars.  http://www.ohhlioexpress.com/  S

Pickleville – Kosher-Deli Style pickles, pickled peppers & veggies, fresh salsas, Cajun spices, mixes, and snacks.  http://www.pickleville.net or http://www.facebook.com/pickleville    T,W,S

Proffitt Family Cattle Co. – Proffitt Family Cattle Co. raises 100% Pasture finished grass fed beef on certified USDA Organic pastures.  Their farm is Animal Welfare Approved and their cattle are never fed any corn or grain products. No hormones or antibiotics and guaranteed to be tender.  Come see why their beef is award winning and known as the best beef in town!  http://proffittfarms.com/  S

Rio Bertolini’s Pasta – Ever changing and seasonal menu of fresh cut raviolis, pasta, and gnocchi.  http://www.riobertolinispasta.com/   T,S

Round Table Creations – Creations offers ridiculously tasty gourmet brioche rolls, authentic Italian pastries as well as whole grain breads and whole wheat pierogies.  All our products are made from scratch, with local organic ingredients and recipes passed down through generations.  http://www.facebook.com/RoundTableCreations  T, S

Simply Local – Simply Local is a retail grocery within Atherton Market. She offers great local foods and goods that are otherwise not available at Atherton Market or often at other area markets.  With more than 20 cheeses, milk, butter, ice cream, sauces, kits, snacks, and even peanut butter, you are guaranteed a one-stop shopping experience!  Watch for a cheese feature each month at Simply Local throughout 2012. January’s feature is a 5yr aged cheddar from Ashe County Cheese Co. February’s feature will be a marinated chevre from Goat Lady Dairy.   http://www.facebook.com/SimplyLocal T,W,S

SkyeTurtle Designs – SkyeTurtle Designs at Atherton Market offers personally handcrafted jewelry using genuine materials and nutricious homemade organic dog treats.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/SkyeTurtle-Designs/151994301501410 T,W,S

Urbana Teas – Looseleaf teas to in a variety of blends to invigorate you or soothe your spirit.  From organic to rare to perfect for every day, you can create urbana wherever you are.  http://www.urbanatea.com/  S

Verve – Hand-poured soy candles in various fragrances.  http://www.pamatverve.blogspot.com/   T,W,S

Vin Master – Vin Master is a retail wine store that focuses on natural wines.  http://thevinmaster.com/ T,S

Windy Hill Farm – Windy Hill Farm offers local & naturally-raised pork, beef, chicken, lamb, duck and eggs produced on their small family farm in New London, NC. You can pre-order your meats and eggs at their online store or swing by the market and see what’s available. http://www.WindyHillFarmNC.com  T,W,S

Note that Essential Soap and North 40 Farm are taking a brief break to catch up after the holiday season.  Also – look for exciting new vendor news coming soon!

We also host a variety of artisans and food trucks weekly – stay tuned to our Facebook page and read your newsletter for updates.  Share this with your friends, and bring them along to the market!  See you soon.

Keeping it fresh and local,

Lynn S. Caldwell
Atherton Market Manager
http://www.facebook.com/athertonmillandmarket