Update for Saturday May 1st

Join us for an Olive Oil Tasting!

For the past 6 months we have been bringing in coffee to the market from the Kew Park coffee farm in Jamaica.  This “direct from the farm” concept is great because it provides consumers an opportunity to buy something really high quality and fresh.  It also supports the farmer because it puts more money in their pocket by eliminating the middle men involved in the traditional distribution system.

Recently I have been researching expanding this concept to another one of my favorite foods- olive oil.  I have focused my attention on growers in California.  The industry in California has come a long way over the past two decades.  The industry is still developing and evolving, but California is now producing oils that are as good as the ones we get from Italy and Spain.  The good news is that there are many small farms that are producing great oil.  I have been corresponding with quite a few farms and they are really excited to be introduced into the Pittsburgh market.

I plan to buy the oil in “bulk” and dispense it into reusable glass bottles.

To get the process started, I am hosting an olive oil tasting this Saturday at the market.  We will be featuring oils from 3 farms-

· Corto Olive- located in Stockton

· Sylverleaf Olive Oil- located in Loma Rica

· Pasolivo- located in Paso Robles

It will be helpful to get feedback from people to help decide which oils to carry at the market

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Riverview Dairy- I visited Sam Byler at his farm in Emlenton this week.  I had a great time and was really impressed by what I saw.  When I got there around 6:00 in the evening, Sam was busy doing the second milking.  The goats were just wonderful and seem to have a great life.  The operation is very clean and organized.  The goats feed on grass in the fields and grain.  I was very impressed by the sustainable practices that Sam uses in the operation. He uses a wood burning boiler to create heat for the cheese making process.  He also uses huge blocks of ice that he cuts from a local pond to chill the coolers where stores the finished cheese.  I got an advance look at some new cheeses that Sam is developing by forming wheels of cheese using molds, and then aging the cheese.  He hopes to have them at the market in July.

Zang’s Greenhouse- Rick will have some fresh locally grown salad greens.  He will also have ramps again this week, which are a wonderful delicacy available only a few weeks a year.  Near local (New Jersey) Swiss Chard will be at the market.

Greenawalt Farm-  will have fresh eggs and other items.

Kistaco Farm- Local apples and cider are still available.

Kew Park Coffee- Thanks to everyone who turned out to meet Peter Williams from Kew Park Estate Coffee Farm.  Peter just loved meeting everyone and hearing people share stories of how they love his coffee.  People seemed to like the French Press brewed coffee so we plan to continue making it at the market.

See you at the market-

David Lagnese

The Farmers’ Cooperative Market of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 Noon every Saturday of the year.