HIPFiSHmonthly

eating the coastLocal FareaBy Elia SeelyFeeding us allProgram SpotlightBaked Alaska Chef Chris Holen commands theScavenger’s Feast, sending participants on achase through the Market for specific ingredients.When adventurers return to Mise En Place Kitchenwarewith the goods, Holen co-creates a fabulousSunday meal. The monthly Scavenger’s Feast is $45per person with a portion of the proceeds benefittingAstoria Sunday Market. On September 4 one childgets in free with a paying adult for a family scavengedfeast. To make reservations for The Scavenger’s Feastcall Mise En Place Kitchenware at 503-325-7414 orstop by and sign-up in person. Feast Dates: Sunday,June 5, July 10, July 31, August 21, September 4 (bringkiddos), and September 18.And at the Market Biz Kidz Tent, the young‘uns are busy learning what it takes to make and growtheir own products and sell them at the market. Inmid-June, the participants of the Young Entrepreneur’sClub will vend their wares at the Market at theKidz Tent. This opportunity is supported by the SundayMarket, Clatsop Co. 4-H, Western Oregon Waste,and Wauna Federal Credit Union.scene is expanding too, with 18 localand regional bands slated to performat the food court—as always the musicis free and an integral part of theMarket experience. One of Mudge’sfavorite aspects of the ASM that sheencouraged when she came on boardas Director in 2008 are the buskingpossibilities.“I grew up in Seattle with the PublicMarket in Pike’s Place,” she says. “Thebusking was fantastic there, a realpart of the thriving market scene. Iwanted to have that here. Now it’sgrowing and we had everything lastyear from free hugs to high schoolmusicians to folks traveling out fromPortland.” ASM does have a free butrequired busking permit that goesover the courtesy rules of performingat the market. Mudge asks folks tocontact her if they want to busk. “Thegood, bad and the ugly, they all addto the fun of the Market in ways you’dnever imagine,” Mudge laughs.Astoria Sunday Market is in its 11thyear. Rising gas prices have seen achange in the demographic of originalvendors, and some folks are retiringafter a long run with the Market.New vendors have come to take theirplace, and the mix of familiar withthe unknown keeps the Market fresh.ASM also runs a cruise ship marketthrough the cruising season thatcontributes to the local economy, andoffers another opportunity to vendduring weekdays. The Winter Marketkeeps others selling in off-seasonmonths.“The Market(s) are a huge communityasset. A community squarefor locals; a happy weekly celebrationand a great place to meet yourneighbors. Our vendors are like afamily, they take care of each otherand support each other. The Market isa joyful, compassionate environmentthat contributes to the vibrancy of ourregion.” Clearly Cyndi Mudge lovesher job.Astoria Sunday Market runs May8 through October 9. The Market isopen from 10 am to 3 pm. ContactCyndi Mudge: Tel: 503-325-1010Web: www.AstoriaSundayMarket.comHead Start with StartsGlimpses of blue sky and sun gets coastalresidents chomping at the bit to get outsideand begin gardening. But as long-timers know,the chance of a significant frost in May ishigh—so patience is not only a necessity but avirtue. Later planting with starts is one way tomitigate the wait, and fortunately the LowerNehalem Community Trust’s Community GardenProgram is hosting a sale of organic veggiestarts proven for the NW Maritime climate. Thesale is on Saturday May 14, from 9am to noonat the Alder Creek Farm. Greens, broccoli, cauliflower,cabbage, squashes, tomatoes, herbsand more are will be ready for adoption intoyour own garden.“Proceeds from the sale will help with theongoing improvements to our greenhouseand gardens,” says Karen Matthews, LNCT’sCommunity Garden manager. “We continuallyupgrade our garden practices which allow ourproductivity to flourish. The more our gardengrows, the more fresh organic produce we candonate to the North County Community FoodBank.” Essential, as food banks continue to seeexponential rise in demand, especially for freshand nutritious foods.LNCT’s community garden is another avenueto local food access and food security. The 25active gardeners share the work and harvest offood from the ½ acre garden. Other ways to getinvolved in the Trust include membership; a 4in. plant start can be yours with a commitmentto get involved.Annual membership in the LNCT begins atjust $15 and includes benefits such as reducedadmission and tuition to events, programs, andworkshops.To reach Alder Creek Farm & Natural Area,turn south off of Hwy 101 at Underhill Lanebetween Manzanita and Nehalem. Followthe Lane to the end of the road for plenty offree parking. Tel: 503-368-3203 Email: lnct@nehalemtel.net Web: www.nehalemtrust.org .Growin’ A RowGrowing a garden this year? Food Roots ofTillamook County is encouraging local gardenersto plant an extra row or bed for donation tothe hungry. No donation is too small or large,and neighbors or friends can team up to makea bigger impact. The usual suspects of carrots,onions, squash, peppers, beets, and so on arepopular, but lesser-known plants are welcometoo. Produce should be in good, edible shapeand it is appreciated if it is field washed.There are two ways to donate: bring the foodto the Regional Food Bank of Tillamook Countyat 2105 Fourth St. in Tillamook; or take yourproduce directly to a food pantry, soup kitchenor other community program. For a list of theseprograms call The Regional Food Bank at 503-842-3154 x1 or x4.Spread the word about the Grow a Row program,and help increase access to high qualitylocal food. For more info about the program,contact Food Roots. Tel: 503-842-3154 x2Email: info@foodrootsnw.orgPostals Packin’ PeasMay 14 is the day of the world’s largest onedayfood drive, and everyone with a mailbox(and without, for that matter) is invited to participate.More than 4,000 letter carriers in urbanand rural areas throughout Oregon and ClarkCounty, WA will join with letter carriers acrossAmerica to collect donations of nonperishablefood from their postal customers during theNational Association of Letter Carriers FoodDrive, Saturday, May 14.The Run down:1. Look for a white, plastic, degradable fooddrive bag in your mail during the first weekof May.2. Fill the bag (or any sturdy bag) with nutritious,nonperishable food. The Oregon FoodBank Network will recycle your bag.3. Place it by your mailbox early on Saturday,May 14.All donated food stays in the communitywhere it was collected. Letter carriers willcollect nonperishable food donations left bymailboxes and take them to their local postoffice, where more than a thousand volunteersthroughout Oregon and Clark County willpack the food. Trucks will pick up the food anddeliver it to regional food banks of the OregonFood Bank Network. If you miss your letter carrier’sdaily visit, drop off your food donations atany post office by Wednesday, May 18.Foods to donate:• canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon),• canned and boxed meals (soup, chili, stew,macaroni and cheese),• canned or dried beans and peas (black,pinto, lentils),• pasta, rice cereal,• canned fruits, 100 percent fruit juice(canned, plastic or boxed),• canned vegetables,• cooking oil, boxed baking mixes.Avoid the Obvious:Rusty or unlabeled cans, glass containers,perishable items, homemade items, noncommercialcanned or packaged items, alcoholicbeverages, mixes or soda, open or used items.Up-Beet ShoppingUp Wahkiakum WayTwo Island’s Farm Market began their sixthseason Friday, May 6th at Stockhouse’s Farm, 59W. Birnie Slough Road on Puget Island. Markethours have been extended and will run Fridaysfrom 3-6:30 pm through October. Fresh Wahkiakumgrown vegetables, cut flowers, veggiestarts (23 varieties of tomato plants), perennials,artisan breads, free-range eggs, and USDAprocessed meats (goat, beef, lamb and pork) bythe cut are often available. Market booths willaccept Senior Farmers Market Checks and SNAPcards this season. The Up-Beet Stage is readyfor a new season with an Open Mic—all musicianswelcome—3-6:30--a great sound systemwill amplify your talents! The Chief Wahkiakumtrolley will run shoppers from the ElochomanMarina to the Farmers Market, leaving themarina at 3, 4 and 5 pm on Fridays (weatherpermitting). Contact Rob or Diane Stockhouse,Tel: 360.849.4145, or the Wahkiakum Chamberfor more info, Tel: 360-795-9996.may11 hipfishmonthly.com30