Celebrate real food at Saturday market
Market patrons will be inspired to celebrate real food and explore local food policies while enjoying a host of exciting community activities from 7 a. m. to noon Saturday at the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market, 121 Orange St.
This year’s Food Day theme, “Toward a Greener Diet,” will be celebrated throughout the month of October with activities around town, talks, films, a workshops and a fun scavenger hunt with an opportunity for a local super sleuth to win a prize.
Each week, the Growing Healthy Communities — Hot Springs coalition will issue a clue on Scavenger Hunt Saturday at the market information table. Collect all four clues to find the secret location of the winning ticket. On Oct. 24, the final week, the final clue will be announced and the successful Sherlock will be awarded a primo gift basket loaded with culinary, gardening, fitness and other wonderful goodies.
Make plans to attend a Healthy Cooking demonstration on Oct. 17 and the second annual Food Day Bash at the Market and a host of other activities on Oct 24.
The Oct. 24 Food Day activity calendar includes the following:
• 7 a. m.- noon — The final scavenger hunt clue will be released and the gift basket will be awarded.
• 9 a. m.- noon — SNAP Van at the Market for on- site enrollment.
• 10 a. m.- noon — Green Infrastructure community planning day.
• 9 a. m. — Yoga on the Market lawn.
• 9 a. m. — Children’s Story time.
• 9: 30- 11 a. m. — Children’s games and craft activities.
• 9 a. m. — Smart Shopping on a Budget.
• 10 a. m. — Cooking demonstration.
• 11 a. m. — Community Art Dedication and Farm to Table meal and fundraiser.
New to the Market is Britt Busselle of Brass and Glass, a retired jeweler who has carried his expertise over to his love of hummingbirds, fossils and gems with his hand- constructed items. Patrons can browse a variety of interesting sun- catchers and hummingbirds made with beaded glass, bronze and copper. Busselle also has cases filled with arrowheads, amethyst, geode slices and Ammonite fossils which date back 450 million years.
Market patrons can stock up their pantries for holiday cooking with local flavors from Loomis Farms at Derek Plumridge’s booth. Plumridge has a large selection of local goods and stocks a wide variety of dried goods including peas, beans, barley, an eight- bean soup mix, lentils, chili beans, navy beans, great northern beans and brown rice. He also carries many soup mixes such as red beans and rice, South of the Border and cheesy potato. Flavored dipping oils and local honey are also available.
Peter Lawrence, of Hot Springs, will share his songwriting talents, life experiences and insights through rich lyrics and laughter from 9- 11: 30 a. m. Saturday. His style of soul rock connects upbeat rhythms and personal stories that honor the journey of life and stir the heart.
The Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program EBT payments each Saturday during the main market season. Many vendors participate in the SNAP program and accept WIC at the Saturday market. This provides the local community an opportunity to “Get Fresh” for their families.
General parking is available north of the pavilion on Orange Street and south of the pavilion on Broadway Street. Parking is free.
The Tuesday evening market will continue this week from 4- 7 p. m. at the pavilion.