Rain or Shine

I haven't posted for a little while - I've been in transition from summer schedule to school-schedule and that always takes awhile to grab hold at our house. "Awhile" meaning, "probably until the end of the school year". *SIGH*  Trying counts, right? 

Now about the Market...

Last weekend we were put to the test. It rained, it poured and it blew. How could we blame vendors for not showing up and buyers not stopping? It was miserable weather and I will be the first to admit that as the storm clouds rolled in around 2pm when vendors usually start to set up, I was crossing my fingers that no one would show, we'd cancel the Market, and I could go home and take a nice long rainy afternoon nap. Then the two brave produce vendors showed up and long story short - we had one, long, wet, rainy, cold market.

Was  it worth it? As Napoleon Dynamite would say, "Heck, Yes!" Any cause worth your while never comes without a few obstacles - or stormy days. We believe the Providence Gardner's Market has a place in this community and we aren't going to let a few storm clouds rain on our parade! We are here, rain or shine. We sincerely appreciate those of you who have shown up week after week as vendors or buyers.  Thank you! :)

Produce Vendors: Not afraid of a little rain!

If I were to give a progress report, I'd say in general we've had an encouraging first season.Obviously some weeks have been better than others, and for that reason, I would like to make a humble appeal to the residents of Providence, and Cache Valley:  If you like the idea of a market being in Providence, please, please, please come and show your support on Saturdays. You don't even have to buy anything. Just the presence of your smiling face being there helps the market to grow and adds to our success. There are only four markets left until the last day of the season, October 22 - so please, come down one of those Saturdays from 3 to 6pm and check us out. If you don't want to stop, or don't have time, honk your horn or give us a wave to let us know you care.Help us make it enough of a success to cabbage on into the next Market season.

P.S.
We are still looking for musical (or other family-friendly) talent to perform/entertain. Plus we are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in contributing in either of these ways, please contact
Beth Munson at the Providence City Offices.

Bright Spot: Musical Guest Dan Robinson

...and free samples of Booth apples - YUM!

Lindsey McBride

Vendor Info: Commercial Kitchen Licenses

 (((((click here to go directly to commercial kitchen vendor information)))))

 Oh how I love my neighbors and friends who make incredible food and like to share. I miss my friend, Emily Merkley, Providence resident who use to live across the street from me and often invited my family over for dinner, which I loved because a) She'sItalian b)No cooking for me! c)She's Italian. Translation: Incredible food, all the time, and lots of it!  I owe at least a few pounds weight loss to her, since she moved to another neighborhood and took her yummy carb-filled food with her - *sigh*

Emily also makes incredible cupcakes, and would sometimes pop over with a plate of the most yummy pastries I ever had the pleasure of hoarding and hiding from my family. I know - totally selfish and mean of me! But I looovvve cupcakes, and was so happy when she was ready to get her commercial kitchen license so she could sell them. Sadly, my dear friend Emily, as wonderful a baker as she is, befell great tragedy as the recipe for aquireing the needed license was hard to follow for even the most savvy of chefs. Long story short:  the world will sadly never know the yummy-ness of Emily's chocolate peppermint cupcakes!

This story does have a bitter-sweet ending, especially for all interested in selling their tasty food & baked goods made in your homes at public venues, or Market's like ours, (hint, hint! :) Help is here!  The Cache Business Resource Center for Commercial Kitchens is now open and ready to assist you in getting your commercial kitchen license and aim to make it an easy-cheesy-rice-and-pea-sey process. 

Visit: http://kitchen.cachebrc.com to learn more about using the commercial kitchen facility located at or call me at 410 North 1000 West, Room 1901, Logan, Utah in the West Campus of Bridgerland Applied Technology College or you can call Cindy Roberts at 435-760-7937. 


P.S. Don't worry about Emily - she went on to be a successful Realtor and still brings me cupcakes on my birthday (which is December 20th, in case you are wondering and want to bring me treats too --- I'm totally kidding :) !




Lindsey McBride

LIVE Local Singer/Songwriter Katie Jo Neilsen Performs This Saturday!

Lots of treats at this week's market: Early autumn apples, juicy red tomatoes and more garden goods, PLUS we've got a killer act lined up! Local singer/songwriter Katie Jo Nielsen will be performing at our market this Saturday from 3:30 -5:30pm. Check out Katie Jo's Facebook page or listen to some of her tunes HERE.

This is a market week you won't wanna miss! So don't forget! Visit the PCGM&B this Saturday to see Katie Jo perform while you peruse through our fabulous craft bazaar and pick up some fresh produce while you're at it! See you there!


Lindsey Mc.

Farmers Market FYI: Locally Grown

 Just a little Farmer's Market FYI: "What does "Locally Grown" mean?"

Farmers markets have been around for centuries in countries all over the world and are a traditional way of selling produce and home manufactured products. When you travel, whether it's to Park City or Peru, visiting local markets are great ways to get a taste of the local culture. It's also not an uncommon practice for vendors (growers, artisans or crafters ) to travel around to different markets to sell their goods, which is why when it comes to "fresh" produce, you may want to know a little more about what you are buying and where it comes from.

When a vendor advertises that their fresh produce is "locally grown" - it's a relative statement. It depends on how the market they are selling at decides to define "local". Is it anywhere within the state of Utah? Or is it anywhere within 100 miles of the location of the market?

To us at the PCGM&B "local" means grown right here in within the borders of Cache County. Peaches don't come from Brigham City and Potatoes don't come from Idaho (unless they are from Preston which is within the county lines).

Our customers truly get the premium pick of the freshest produce around at prices that just can't be beat.  It's often harvested only hours before the market and arrives without a long, hot commute that can wilt, bruise, squash, etc. the goods for sell. Also, buying your weekly fresh produce at the PCGM&B helps our local economy, keeping cash within Cache, boosts our sense of community and allows you to support your friends and neighbors who happen to be local growers, artists, musicians and crafters.

Here is only some of the fresh produce we expect at tomorrow's market:
apricots
fresh herbs (including some baby sage plants to keep for the winter!)
onions
cabbage
zuchinni
squash
tomatoes
eggs
and more...

Hope to see you there!

Lindsey Mc

Vendor Spotlights: Roxie Ashby & Broc Hoggan

As promised, here are the first of many Vendor Spotlights to come. Without vendors there would be no market and we are especially grateful for all of the participants who have been consistent. Also we want our community to be aware of all the great crafts products and fresh produce you can find each weekend when you come to visit us at the PCGMB (Saturday afternoons from 3pm-6pm between 100 N. 100 E in Providence). . 

Two of our vendors, Roxie and Broc are doing double duty as volunteers! Both have added tremendously to our success by helping to get this Market up and running so I thought they definitely deserved the first spotlight spots. A huge thanks to both of you for all your efforts!


Hi,  my name is Roxie Ashby and am a committee member and vendor.  "Times of Yore" is the name of my business.  I make and sell wood toys.  I make European Solitaire/Marble Solitaire, climbing bears, tops, candy dispensers, catapults, African Tongue drums, and aprons for young children.  I am very excited to be committee member of the Providence Market and Bazaar.  

Hi, my name is Broc Hoggan.  I am a vendor and the junior manager over the 8-17 year old vendors. I sell duct tape treasures such as wallets and flower pens.  I am also in charge of finding volunteer musicians to play or sing at the bazaar every Saturday between 3:15 and 6:00pm.  I need 4-5 people or groups each week.   If you are interested in fine tuning your performing skills as a solo artist or in groups, please come to the bazaar and talk to me

Fresh Produce HERE!

We've planted our seeds and it seems that the Providence City Grower's Market & Bazaar (PCGM&B) is starting to send out little roots. Slowly but surely we are growing! :) A big thanks to our small but consistent crop of vendors who have been so faithful in showing up every week. We also owe last weekend's success to the growers who showed up with beautiful and bountiful fruits and veggies grown right here in Cache Valley.

We had cabbage, onions, apricots, greens, herbs, turnips, squashes and this is only the beginning! My most favorite purchase so far: a few bundles of ahhhhh-maaaaazing fresh basil from Dave Goeple, a fellow volunteer and local grower who runs Wee Farms. Yum!

I have lots of pictures to post, plus a list of our vendors and the first vendor spotlight. Lots to do, but in the mean time, don't forget to be our friend on Facebook and see lots of pics from past weeks markets. 

Lindsey Mc.

Keep Calm And Cabbage On!

It figures that after I confess to my blighted blogging past that I would wait enough time in between posts to make the current four followers of this blog (whom I am sure have been on the edge of their seats!) start to believe that history just might repeat itself. What can I say? It's summer time and if you have kids that are out of school, pet chickens, or small dogs that have been trapped inside all winter you are as busy as I am trying to soak it all in before the snow comes. Despite that fact that Hobby Lobby and the rest of the retail world are currently setting up their Christmas displays, the only cold thing we want to think about right now at our house is otter pops, (Which BTW are free every weekend at the Market). Still with so much going on, the Boss (that's Me) sometimes gets a little overheated. To cool down I try to remind myself: Keep Calm And Carry On. 

"Keep Calm And Carry On" originated as one in a series of three British WWII posters that were plastered on the sides of English buildings. This simple saying was meant to motivate citizens and soldiers to never give up and also to remind them what they were fighting for. "Keep Calm And Carry On"  is also befitting of our local heritage. The original settlers were pioneers and immigrants who continued on despite their suffering and countless hardships. Their lasting legacy is our dear little city of Providence. Most of the settlers were of German descent and brought with them their own customs and foods - one of which was cabbage. When rotted cabbage becomes known as sauerkraut, which was bottled and stored for the winter and is apparently very tasty. (Cabbage Confession No2: I've never tried sauerkraut!) With that in mind, could there be any doubt that in Providence we don't "Carry On" we "Cabbage On". (If you are still don't get it, just come to the annual Sauerkraut Dinner, and you will see what I mean! Talk about sauerkraut enthusiasts!)

When you visit the Providence Farmer's Market and Bazaar on Saturday afternoons and you have questions, concerns, ideas just look for a volunteer wearing a green shirt that says, "Keep Calm And Cabbage On". We would be more than happy to help you out, point you in the right direction, give you a free otter pop or try to convince you to volunteer.

See you there!

Lindsey McB