Halifax's NEW Seaport Farmer's Market!

Well...it's been a long time since I was invited to tag along on the Investor's tour for the new Seaport Market back in May. Haligonians have waited with baited breath to see what's in store for our Saturday morning market trip, and I am one of them. On the eve of the new Seaport Farmer's Market, I like many others, am filled with both anticipation and excitement as to the delights that this new facility will hold. Open seven days a week, with full market days on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, convenience will certainly be one of its charms.

Windows facing the Port of Halifax

The building is phenomenal and the initiatives, incredible. The new market was constructed using recycled and reused materials and sustainable wood and makes use of geo-thermal, wind, and solar techniques to heat, cool and power the buiding. Water conservation menthods were also included in order to feed the market's rooftop gardens.

Wind turbines, view from the roof

A view of the interior in May, 2010

A new bus route is in the works, bicycle racks will be provided and 400 parking spaces have been created. The building will provide amphitheatre space for performances and concerts, a 100-person seating area and a green room where compostable material will be decomposed by worms! Word on the street is that the resulting soil will be used in the rooftop garden and will- my favorite part - be tended by school children! Top notch!

Frame of the mezzanine - the seating/eating area

A 'view from the top' - the rooftop garden, that is...

...and facing the Port...

Along with a covered area to house market stalls in the summer, there are four retail spaces that will run 7 days a week, year round. Market favorites such as Mike's Fish Shop, Fox Hill Cheese House and Big Life Whole Foods will have a presence every day to provide succulent smoked salmon, creamy Havarti and freshly baked baguette. Produce farmers will also come together throughout the week to offer shoppers seasonal produce on a daily basis.

Corridor from the outdoor vendor area to the heart of the market

So there you have it - the general ins and outs of the new Seaport Farmer's Market. Of course, there's plenty more where that came from, and the people involved - arhitect firm Lydon Lynch and the Seaport Farmer's Market Investment group, will be excited to discuss the building's green aspects, and the market's economic benefits. Altogether, the SFM tour unveiled some fascinating stuff that left my jaw dropping on every turn.

But the main question on people's minds, is whose faces they'll see at the SFM, and whose will go unseen - manning their booths at the original institution, the Keith's Brewery Farmer's Market. Some vendors have made the decision to man a booth at both spots, allowing for cautious shoppers to stick to their old routine, while more adventurous market-goers turn their eager faces toward...Well, I'll say it, "change" - something new, progressive, and just what Halifax needs.

Here is just a few of the 70 vendors list who have either chosen to stay at the Brewery Market, or manage two locations:

Acadian Soy Tofu, Big Life Whole Food, Creperie Mobile, Sweets & Herrings, M & S Bakery, Oriental Foods, Fog Bank Studio, Grand Pre Winery, Bowman's Chocolates, Tandoor Spice Blends, Sweet William Meats, Little Dorset Farms, Hutton Family Farms, Lowthers Produce, Wood N Hart Farm, Mannette's Nusery, Patch of Blue Photo, Sudty Farms, Picture it on Canvas, Four Seasons Farm, Dillman Farm, Maple Grove Farm, Roti Kitchen, Raza Clothing, Hac N Sac, Penner's Farm.

This Saturday morning, August 7th, you know where I'll be.

'Sea' you at the Seaport Market! :)

With Bite takes a big, juicy bite out of Manhattan's 'Big Apple'!

I kid you not, that when I say that food is important to me, I mean it. And by the term 'important', I mean essential. Not essential in the way that I eat to live- but that I live to eat. I breathe food, I sleep food, I daydream about food. My desktop background changes on a regular basis in order to make my mouth water when I turn on my computer.

And so, I sit awaiting my flight to North America's food Mecca; New York City. I love Manhattan. I go once a year to visit my sister, hang out and eat really, really good food. Now, I'm fortunate that, when it comes to accommodations, I need not worry- big sis has my back. So essentially, my 'spending money' when I go on these trips is for food, booze and the like.

As I mentioned, food is a serious thing for me, and since there are over 5000 restaurants/cafes/bars ect, in Manhattan, I have to do my research. If there are certain 'Special Nights', a dish that makes my head spin, or a brunch menu with endless options - brunch is, after all, my favorite meal - then I make note, so that I remember my reason for needing to go there. Also, when you're dealing with the landscape/maze of Manhattan, addresses are key, maps are even better and for some spots, reservations must be made weeks/months in advance.

I will now admit that I have a two page, typed NY Meal & Snack itinerary....

Yes, I'm aware that I have a delicate mental state over food, but when you have limited time and you're on a limited budget, you have to do your research. For example;:Allegretti, a NY Times rated 4 star resto, is waiving their corkage fee for the entire month of August. And Ciao Bella Gelato has a location in FAO Schwatz, meaning that I can eat my icy treats while playing the huge piano as seen in BIG!

So there you have it folks, a glimpse into the mind of a serious foodie. But as you can see, when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, it pays to do your research!

Turn apples into applesauce

I was seriously annoyed this week when I came home from the grocery store, ready to bite into my monstrous, sweet and crunchy Cortland apple, when I opened the bag and they were all bruised and some were even mouldy!

I was not impressed...My good friend and eternal optimist Jazmine told me to just make applesauce, but I absolutely refused. I would take them back to Sobey's and get my money back goddammit! Well, that was Sunday...and then the store was closed, then on Monday I didn't have time, and last night I was just plain lazy.

So...I called a spade a spade and made my lemons into lemonade- or applesauce in this case. And might I say, I make damn good stuff. I now have two containers hanging out in my freezer for the next impromptu BBQ pork chop, or to pair w/ a round of baked Brie!

I guess the moral of this story SHOULD be to make the best out of a bad situation. I prefer to look at it this way: Superstore has way better quality produce!

Recipe

3 lb. Cortland apples, peeled, cored & chopped
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 tbsp. water (lemon juice would be better, but I didn't have any)

Method:

Put the apples and water in a pan, cover and bring to Med heat, stirring occasionally. Once the apples have cooked down and softened, add the cinnamon, sugar and salt. And...you're done!

National Hunger Awareness Day

Today is National Hunger Awareness Day. If there's any subject that puts a frog in my throat and a knot in my stomach it's hunger. I say this in all seriousness- not because I love to eat, but because I can't imagine not being able to.

My heart breaks for those who have to choose between heating their homes or feeding their families. Likewise for children in third world countries, and even those here at home who wonder when and where they'll get their next meal.

Metro reported today that "at least 38,000 people use food banks in the province each month." Feed Nova Scotia went on to say that they are "bracing for at least 12 % increase in demand" for the organization's services.

I always donate at Christmastime or Easter, but today's message practically punched me in the face. There are people, maybe even your neighbours, to whom a luxury would be a peanut butter sandwich. I guess what I'm trying to say, and I'll take my own advice here, is- Step up people! And the next time your stomach growls, put yourself in someone else's shoes... imagine not having the means to silence it.