Community Corner
Slow Food Fosters Fast Friendships with Farmers
A packed crowd attend the Slow Food potluck Thursday evening, where participants had a chance to meet and greet with local farmers.
The event may have been billed as a "slow food" potluck, but the goal of the Thursday evening get-together at the in West Tisbury was to foster fast friendship between the community and farmers.
The event was sponsored by Slow Food Martha's Vineyard, a local chapter of an international movement that celebrates real food and advocates for sustainable, local food production.
Eleven farmers from throughout the Island spent the evening introducing themselves to attendees one table at a time and answering questions about their offerings.
Find out what's happening in Martha's Vineyardwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"This dinner was really to bring Island farmers to community tables, so people can know: Where are these farms located, how can I get there, how can I get products that they have, what do they have in season?" said Roxanne Kapitan, who organized the potluck.
Attendees were treated to a special announcement: Slow Food International founder and president Carlo Petrini will travel to Martha's Vineyard to speak at Slow Food MV's annual summer potluck in August.
Find out what's happening in Martha's Vineyardwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A full list of the farmers who attended Thursday's potluck can be seen below. For more information on Slow Food MV, or to join the group, go to www. slowfoodmarthasvineyard.org.
421 South Road, Chilmark; 508-645-9064
Farm Store: Organic pastured eggs, chicken, grass-fed lamb, pork, organic fertilizer, compost tea, wool products. Allen farm is one of the oldest working farms on the island, owned by the Allen family since 1762.
9 Middle Rd., Chilmark; 508-645-3492
Self-Serve farm stand & barn: Raw cow’s milk, pasteurized yogurt, feta cheese, beef and lamb, raspberries, heirloom tomatoes and other seasonal vegetables, veggie seedlings. Check out their new cheese cave under construction. Open year-round.
94 North Rd., Chilmark; www.nativeearthteachingfarm.org
Self-serve farm stand: Eggs, pork, duck and chicken. Seasonal fruit and vegetables, veggie seedlings. Farm tours, rural skills classes and educational events. Community garden plots are available. Open year-round, Wed, Sat. & Sun 10-6
The Grey Barn and Farm
22 South Rd., Chilmark; 508.645.4854
The Grey Barn and Farm is a Certified organic farm in transition. This summer at the West Tisbury Farmer's Market they will have pasteurized milk, cheese, eggs, pork and rose veal. Raw milk will be available at the farm on Thursdays. This summer they will offer farm tours every Thursday.
Blackwater Farm
Lambert’s Cove Rd. (behind Cottle’s Lumber), West Tisbury; 508-693-9785
Self-serve farm stand: Eggs, pork, beef. Seasonal vegetables sustainably grown including heirloom tomatoes, baby salad greens and arugula. Veggie seedlings. Open year-round.
Stoney Hill Rd., West Tisbury
Fresh local produce sustainably grown June to November, available through the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), WT and Tisbury Farmers Markets. CSA members can choose a large or small share for 5 weeks, 10 weeks or a full season. Served 500 families last year! 2011 shares currently on sale.
Edgartown, Edgartown-West Tisbury Road
Market Farm Stand: Seasonal fruits and vegetables from one of the island’s largest farms, plus corn, eggs, chicken, beef, and lots of goods baked in their farm kitchen. Opening around May 12 this year. Don’t miss the spring asparagus crop – over 1 acre in production - available in the greenhouse even before the farmstand opens.
14 Aero Ave., Edgartown
A teaching farm that educates children and adults in sustainable agriculture through the operations of a working farm. Seasonal vegetables available here and at the WT Farmers Market. Grass-fed chicken, lamb and pork are available through a Meat CSA, offered in 1, 3 and 6-month shares. Join the FARM Institute along with other island sheep farmers for “Sheepapalooza – A celebration of Sheep, Shepherds, Food, Farming & Fiber” a weekend of events, cooking classes, cheese tastings and more on April 29, 30 and May 1.
977 State Road, Tisbury
Market garden at the Scottish Bakehouse restaurant. Produce, cut flowers, and veggie seedlings available at self serve stand, Cronigs, and the WT Farmers Market. Season runs May-November.
The Good Farm
Tisbury Meadow Preserve, Tisbury
Pastured raised chickens – unvaccinated, non-medicated and great tasting - are available by order. Jefferson Munroe plans to raise about 2,500 chickens this season in the fields of Tisbury Meadow Preserve, with his first flock ready for processing the third week in May. Their chickens will also be available Tuesdays at the down-island Tisbury Farmers’ Market.
Bayes Norton Farm
223 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd., Oak Bluffs; 508- 696-5989
Market Farm Stand: Seasonal fruits and vegetables sustainably grown on this 50-acre farm run that’s been in the Norton family since 1837. Open Mon-Sun 9 to 5 p.m. Their season begins in June with perfectly ripe Island strawberries and fresh peas and continues through October.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.