Long Beach Sunday Market in California Heights is hosting a summer pie contest. The first event, which took place on opening day November 22nd, was a rousing success with over 30 entries! And don’t be intimidated to join in – a 4th grader took 3rd place with his interpretation of Joy of Cooking’s Key Lime Pie.

If you attend the market this coming Sunday you will be able to pick up the last of this season’s cherries, which I highly recommend doing…contest or not. The short but sweet cherry season may be over, but if you are going to do your marketing the week before the contest on Sunday July 11th-you may consider pluots, peaches, plums, and berries! This time of year is the most wonderful time for fresh fruit…the kind you can’t get at the grocery store. The market fruit is picked and brought to you just before it peaks, and the varieties available are not bred for holding, but for flavor! Don’t miss the selection and be daring-try something new!

To enter the pie contest-

Stop by the information booth Sunday June 27 or Sunday July 11th (market closed on July 4th), or sign up on the website Long Beach Sunday Market. Just enter “pie contest” in the subject line.

Pies should be made with fresh fruit of the season and delivered to the judging area no later than 11 am, with winners announced a little later around 1pm. Stick around do some shopping and have a sandwich, taco or crepe! Results will also be tweeted to facebook so errant winners can hustle back to the market to pick up their prizes!!

In addition to the pie baking festivities, the July 18th market will feature live Jazzy-Bluegrass tunes by Timbreline and Chef Denter of Culinary Coach will be back with those famous banh mi and fried egg sandwiches!! For more information please email LBSM@me.com

The Long Beach Sunday Farmers Market in California Heights is located on the play ground of Longfellow Elementary School. Maps address is 3800 Olive, 90807, while the actual location is on California at Bixby Road, between Atlantic Ave and Orange Ave. It is a weekly certified farmers market and will be held every Sunday from 9am to 2pm. Farmers, Food, Crafts, Chess, Face Painting, School Groups, Tot Lot, Community!

© Long Beach Sunday Market, 2010.

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The 3rd Sunday of each month is our Sustainable Themed Market and is sponsored by Tonia Reyes Uranga, our 7th district councilman.  Thanks Tonia!

Chickens-

We are a little chicken crazy these days with approximately 50 chicks in the Green Lab coop right now.  This Sunday at the market, the Hughes Goes Green Team will have information on keeping chickens in Long Beach…and a couple of chickens for you to ogle.  If you are really interested in Backyard Poultry, please join us at the Wrigley Garden this Saturday morning for a meet up of the Urban Chicken Enthusiasts.  There will be a potluck breakfast at Wrigley Community Gardens-located at 1960 Henderson…with a quick trip over the Green Lab Urban Farm to see the baby chicks!

Square Foot Gardening-

Jennifer van der Fluit will be at the market Sunday teaching a 45 minute seminar on the Square Foot Gardening technique.  Such a great way to grow your healthy veggies in the city.  Have one box in a small space..or line them up in your yard!!  You can find out all about it this Sunday at 11am.

What is the real Cost of all those plastic water bottles?-

Local resident Laura Wilbanks will be out to talk about the amount of oil it takes to make a water bottle and she will also conduct a water tasting.  She has shared with us some interesting links, Take Back the Tap and The Story of Bottled Water…food for thought…this is important stuff to keep in mind.  It’s not hard to pack your own water.  It’s probably the easiest thing to get into your lunch bag!

Food-

There is a rumor circulating that the Artisan Bakery – Shortnin’ Bread will be bringing tiny biscuit and ham sandwiches.  Yum!!

Another foodie favorite will be rolling back in to town…that hot pink truck, Baby’s Badass Burgers will be sliding in to market this week too!!

Don’t forget to check in with Salsa Anytime for their soup selection – a couple quarts of pozole in the fridge for the beginning of the week is just the right thing to do.

Farmers-

If you don’t think you can eat your way through a flat of strawberries, let me help you out with that lack of confidence!  Take half the flat and make 5 full pints of strawberry sauce.  Pack the rest in lunches.  Don’t wash the strawberries until you use them, and keep them in the fridge.  I send a cup of strawberries and with a little cup of dipping…maybe powdered sugar or a little cup of lemon curd!  It’s better for them than those nasty cheese and crackers…I think they just like the process of all the dipping.  Just a thought!!

Strawberry Sauce-

Rinse half a flat of berries.  Cut in to quarters.  Place in stock pot with 6 T sugar, juice of 2 lemons.  Simmer gently.  Mash or put through a food mill.  You have a chunky, tangy sauce that is perfect over that greek style yogurt from trader joe’s and some Shortnin’ Bread granola!  Try it with New York Cheese Cake, or add a little pectin and use as jam.  The recipes I have read for jam have 7 cups of sugar!!  This has a dash, but really nothing compared to standard recipes…the sugar also helps with the thickening…hence the “sauce” description.  You’ll love it and so will your friends, as it is the perfect hostess gift!

© Long Beach Sunday Market, 2010.

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We are trying to pack the 3rd Sunday of the month with all kinds of ideas, solutions, vendors and artists that think sustainably.  Each month the Hughes Goes Green team sets up a groovy demonstration of some kind, like composting, chicken keeping, rain capture, & tomorrow they will go over some irrigation solutions!  Super cool!!  Please stop by and tell two friends!!

Hughes Instrumental Music – will be right next door.  Buy a beverage and support the music program at Hughes.  They’re great and we want them to stay that way!  Now more than ever – the schools need our continuous support and attention.  Speaking of which…

Right next door to music will be the Hughes PTA – they’re back and they have bags!  Check out the spring selection of reusable bags…

Longfellow Legacy – is signing up golfers for their annual Cinco de Mayo golf tournament.  Stop by the booth and sign on the line that is dotted…

Restoration Trade Fair! Located on the grounds of Burbank…this event gathers craftsman that specialize in Historic Home restoration.  A selection of vendors will visit the market leading up to their event.  Stop and find out what it’s all about.

Worms & Vermiposting – stop in at Leilani’s booth to find out how you can make your own black gold for the garden!  The worm bin is easy to maintain and the results in your garden.

Vida Verde – a shop that specializes in green and recycled items!  They were out last month and we are thrilled to have them back.   Bella Cosa is at the Grand Prix this weekend, but will be out next month too.

Gama Farms – Eggs, onions, garlic, potatoes…I just read that organic farm fresh eggs are lower in cholesterol.  That is just super great news!

© Long Beach Sunday Market, 2010.

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