E-newsletter

It’s Official

After seven years as an independent, nonprofit organization, Houston Farmers Market, Inc., has become an official part of Rice University.  Visitors to the market will notice the new logo created by Rice graphic designer Jackie Limbaugh.

The renamed Rice University Farmers Market will continue as a marketplace for local food and other related agricultural products and services. Know more.

Feed the Music

From time to time we are fortunate to have some very talented musicians come to Market to play for vendors and customers.  The past few weeks Mickey Hobbs has been delighting us with his rendition of new and old standards.  The musicians who play at the Market are busking, that is, they are playing for tips.  It is a time honored practice that helped many now famous musicians and performers get their start. So if you like what you hear go ahead and show your appreciation by throwing money in the tip jar. You could be helping a future Grammy award winner.

Vegetable Keeper

Although all vegetables contain a panoply of vitamins and minerals, obviously the fresher the vegetable the better will be the quality of its nutrients.  If you stock up at the farmers market one day a week, it is good to know how to retain the freshness of your vegetables.  A cold, moist environment such as the crisper drawer of a sealed refrigerator is perfect for most fresh vegetables.  However, because moisture causes vegetables to rot, it is best not wash them until just before using.

 Vegetables with stalks and buds such as broccoli and cauliflower, or long-stemmed greens should be plunged in cold water and then refrigerated.  Greens without stems (e.g., lettuce) should be wrapped in barely moist paper towels and placed in a perforated vegetable bag.  Cut off the greens of any root vegetables that are still attached and store them separately.  Mushrooms store well in a loose paper bag.  Eggplant, garlic, onions, potatoes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, yams and tomatoes are best stored in a cool, dry place – ideally between 45○ and 50○ (your refrigerator is around or under 41○).  The kitchen pantry might have to do since it’s unlikely you will find a basement this far South.

Give a dog a home

Janice Blue of the nonprofit, True Blue Rescue, does her best to find new families for the dogs she rescues from death row.  There's a pooch to meet everyone's specifications.  Need a laid-back grown dog or a high-energy small dog? Short-haired? Long-haired?  There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why some of these dogs have ended up on death row.  The financial downturn may have played a role as some families have been forced to downsize and give up their pets. These dogs have been rescued from "kill shelters" with a high rate of euthanizing unwanted dogs and cats.  Many of these facilities are located in small towns in the region that do not have the population density of a big city, thus limiting the chances of finding a stable home.  If you would like to meet these pooches, visit the Tuesday market. (Bobby, pictured here, has been adopted.)

Cash or check

Although there are ATM machines near both markets, the fees may be more than you want to incur.  Cash is always appreciated but sometimes it doesn't cover the extra special items that may not be available the following market.  We are not equipped yet to handle debit and only some vendors can accept a credit card.  Therefore we advise bringing a checkbook just in case.  Market tokens can be purchased in $5 and $1 denominations at the Market Information Booth. There's no expiration date on the tokens so what you don't spend at one market you will have for the next. They make great gifts as well.