Vendor Profile: Weezr's Butters

By: Patrick Miller, Master Gardener

If there is one thing you have to be impressed by, it's her enthusiasm! Enthusiastic about the produce she delivers, and why not? Alex Wieser, owner and creator of Weezr’s Organic Butters is making food with a F.L.O. (Fresh! Made in small batches; Local! Made with as close to home ingredients as possible; and Organic! It’s not just a word! She knows who her farmer is!)

Committed to creating delicious and healthful foods, Alex is a vendor at two markets in Fort Collins, one in Loveland and one in Estes Park. Currently, peanuts, cashews and almonds are what constitute the backbone of her butters, but I can see that changing, with a greater demand for premium quality products, without the big expense. These hand-made nut butters are carefully paired with an agave and honey mixture, dark chocolate, dried fruits, cinnamon or my favorite, coffee.

If you can’t get to a local farmers market, look for her product at local grocery stores like Beavers Market, the Food CO-OP in Fort Collins, Buckwheat Organic Market, Aisle 2 Bakery or Country Supermarket in Estes Park. Go with the F.L.O.! weezrsbutters@gmail.com

Vendor Profile: GG's Recipes

By: Patrick Miller, Master Gardener

As you enter the farmers market, you can’t help but get a feeling like you're entering a fair. It’s EXCITING! All your senses kick-in and you see happy faces, smell wonderful foods, hear the sound of peppers roasting and people chatting. It’s almost a sensory overload for me.

Then my nose starts to “hone-in” on a delicate, and very different scent--one of fragrant Asian spices. It is a sweet but tangy smell that is unique. I can almost taste the chili peppers in this wonderful concoction, drifting on the air. Then I look up (after wandering through the market with my eyes closed, trying to locate the smell using just my olfactory glands)!

Finally I find it and I think I’m in heaven. G.G’s Recipes is the place! Red Dragon Asian Sauce and Dressing is locally made by business co-owner chef George Gastl. With three years at the LCFM, George has plans to open a restaurant in Old Town, expanding his product list available at this market and stores throughout the Front Range. This would be a great addition, based on the results of their first product, which is a proven winner. It's so good, I can't get enough!

Visit their website at: http://www.ggrecipes.com/

2011 Dot Survey Results!

Thank you to the customers that completed our Dot Survey on Saturday, August 27, 2011. We had a lot of great response and it's always wonderful to hear from you, our loyal customers.

Question 1. How many times per month do you shop at a farmers' market?

Total responses: 275

1-2 times: 38.5% (106 votes)

3-5 times: 55.6% (153 votes)

6-10 times: 4.4% (12 votes)

>10 times: 1.5% (4 votes)

Question 2. Was the Farmers' Market your primary reason for coming to Old Town this morning?

Total responses: 282

Yes: 91.8% (259 votes) *Thank you for making our market a destination!*

No: 8.2% (23 votes)

Question 3. How much have you, or will you, spend at market today?

Total responses: 277

<$10: 13.4% (37 votes)

$11-$20: 33.2% (92 votes)

$21-$50: 44.8 (124 votes)

>$50: 8.7% (24 votes)

Question 4. How did you travel to the market today?

Total responses: 281

Car: 58.7% (165 votes)

Bike: 28.5% (80 votes)

Walked: 12.1% (34 votes)

Other: 0.7% (2 votes)

Question 5. Do you buy produce in bulk from this market to preserve or freeze at home?

Total responses: 286

Yes: 40.6% (116 votes)

No: 59.4% (170 votes)