FALL WEATHER, SUMMER CROPS AT YOUR FAVORITE FARMERS' MARKETS

SUMMER REFUSES TO GO QUIETLY
Although autumn officially took over the calendar last Wednesday, summer is stubbornly refusing to give up its place in farmers' booths at the Adams Avenue, North Park and Little Italy farmers' markets.  Black Cat plums and golden pluots were skirmishing with Bartlett pears, Asian pears and Gala apples for control of Smit, Heritage and Lone Oak farms' booths while a coalition of cantaloupe and watermelons battled pumpkins and other winter squash at Suzie's and J.R. Organics. Stay tuned for further delicious developments.

ONE PAN, ONE PLATE, DINNER!
Now that it's cool enough to use your oven again, turn it up to 400 degrees and dice an eight ball squash, a couple of carrots and an onion from your favorite farmer, and toss in an ovenproof pan with a handful of crimini mushrooms from Kawano Farms, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Now take a fresh fish filet from Poppa's or World Famous, season it, throw it right on top of the veggies, and put it back in the oven for about 8 minutes until the fish is done. Plate it, throw a pat of Springhill butter and a splash of white wine into the same pan, and cook till it bubbles and thickens a bit. Pour it on the fish - Voila! You're a chef!

FARM & FOOD EVENTS
Everyone says we need to do something about the unhealthy foods that our children are receiving from school cafeterias, but Renegade Lunch Lady Chef Ann Cooper is doing something about it. Meet her at the Little Italy Mercato on Saturday morning, and get discount tickets here for her October 3 picnic at Olivewood Gardens.

The Gourmet Experience comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds October 9th and 10th, featuring exciting artisanal foods and cutting edge cookware, fresh produce, and cooking demonstrations and books signings by some of San Diego's top local chefs and food personalities, including our own Market Maestra, Catt White. SD Weekly Markets shoppers get $10 off tickets to the event when you enter the code SDWM10 here.

Get your Taste of North Park tickets at the market on Thursday and get ready for 45 Tastes in one day at the 2nd annual restaurant crawl. Find all the info here.

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FARMERS MARKET VENDING 101
Learn how to apply for permits, how to apply for space, and how to successfully market your crop or product at San Diego farmers' markets. Tues, Sept 28, 6 pm to 8:30 pm Limited class size. Register now!

WILL PLAY FOR FOOD?

Want to make beautiful music at one of our weekly farmers' markets? Jazz, Funk, Latin, Fusion, or your specialty, we'd like our shoppers to hear from you. Contact us here with a link to your music site and let San Diego hear your tunes!

AFTER THE FAIR
Feeling a little worn out after all the craziness of the annual Adams Avenue Street Fair and Talmadge Block Party?  Refresh yourself with a glass of fresh apple cider from Smit Orchards, an organic orange from Paradise Valley Farms, or cup of locally roasted coffee from Java Jive, who are back from their travels this week.  If you need something heartier, try the new spinach and feta tamale from Gourmet Tamales, or grab some fresh pasta and pesto from Lisko Imports for an easy dinner.  Musical refreshment this week provided by Wes Davis and the Clean Dirt Boys.

30th ON 30th AND ON NORTH PARK WAY!
Restaurants up and down 30th Street throw a party on the 30th of each month and since September 30th falls on a Thursday, and we're pretty close to 30th Street, the North Park Farmers' Market is joining in with $1 gyros from Arslan's Kebabs, $3 natural pork or beef brisket sliders from Ranchwood Deli, $1.25 oysters on the half shell from Poppa's Fresh Fish and other great tastes. Now there's no chance of you shopping hungry while you pick up your favorite farm fresh produce, natural meat, artisan cheese and more!

LITTLE ITALY NEARS CENTURY MARK
No, the Mercato's not a hundred years old (it actually just turned two), but it is getting close to one hundred vendors of farm fresh produce, artisan foods and local handicrafts.  Tom King Farm and J.R. Organics are the latest local farms to join the party, and Morocco Gold Dates will be with us through the rest of their harvest season. Chefs at this year's Festa on October 10th will be using those farm fresh ingredients for demos at the Italian Table. You can use them on your own table this week!