Dorchester Community Co-op

CARNIVAL!

dotcommcoop — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:22:02 +0000

Please come and bring one additional friend or neighbor to the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market.
(We are still building the market–Please forward this to your own contacts and spread the word!)

Noon-3 pm at the Codman Square Great Hall(Corner of Washington St. and Talbot Ave.)

Spread the word that SNAP participants can use EBT cards at the Winter Farmers’ Market, and will get HALF OFF through the Bounty Bucks Program ($20 of food for $10)

What’s up on February 19th:

Building Trade Job Information & CARNIVAL!

The Building Pathways Program and the Sheet Metal Workers will be at the market with information about APPRENTICE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES ! Building Pathways is sponsored by the Boston Housing Authority and the Boston Building Trades Council, and managed by The Construction Institute. Through 7 weeks of classroom and hands-on learning experiences, Building Pathways will prepare participants to enter an apprenticeship in the building and construction trades. From now through March, representatives from the different Building Trade Unions will be attending the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market with information about their own apprentice programs! Come and learn how to sign up!
Shop to the sounds of the Mardi Gras beat, get beads with every purchase, and buy farm fresh sweet potatoes, collard greens, beans and grass fed meat for your Carnival feast!

Our Farmers and Vendors: (click on the links to visit our vendors’ websites and learn more about them)

Silverbrook Farm
Oakdale Farm
Powisset Farm

Our three produce vendors have been bringing an abundance of winter and greenhouse vegetables to the market, including:
Collard Greens, Kale, Sweet potatoes, Potatoes, Salad greens, Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, Winter Squash, Tomatoes, Scallions, Dried hot peppers, Cabbage, Dried Beans, Apples, Celery root, Garlic, Brussel sprouts, Eggs, Herbs, Honey, and more…
Popcorn on the Cob! (Just put 1/2 cob in a bag in the microwave and let it pop! Fun, easy and healthy snack)

Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm

Conscientiously-Raised beef, lamb, pork, and eggs.

Lawton’s Family Farm

Cheese and grass fed beef and veal.

Proofed Artisan and Traditional Breads

Asiago Cheese, Vermont Rye, Natural Honey Whole Wheat and Pumpkin and Cider 7 Grain Organic are among the delicious breads offered

Returning this week: Stir It Up Cuisine

Pepper jelly and pepper jelly cheese torte!

(Good Measure Bakery is taking a post-Valentine’s Day break from the market this week, but will return with their yummy rum cakes next week!)

Crafts
Catherine Joseph returns with jewelry and fused glass

Children’s Activities
Learn about the Carnivals of the Caribbean and Mardi Gras traditions
Face Painting
Book Swap

Wellness:
1-3pm: Complimentary 10 minute chair massage by Akila

What’s Going on in Dorchester:

The Farmers Collaborative will bring information about their project to bring together farmers in Haiti and Massachusetts to become a supply source for year round culturally relevant produce for the Haitian community on the East Coast. In addition, sign a petition to address the need for reunification of Haitian families following the devastating earthquake of 2010.
Learn more about the Initiative to build a new Food Coop in Dorchester. Come by the Dorchester Community Food Coop table to get information and buy a T-shirt.
Get information on Boston Natural Areas Network community garden plots now available in Dorchester

Check out the Dorchester Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page for the latest news and great pictures of the market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers Market is a project of the Dorchester Community Food Coop. Thanks to volunteers from the Healthworks for staffing the market last week and Marie Owens of Heart of Boston Massage for returning once again to provide relaxing chair massages. Many thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have volunteered time and donated resources to make the market possible. Please join us in giving thanks to the growing number of local organizations and businesses who have provided funding and in-kind support for the Winter Farmers’ Market:

GreenDorchester
The Boston Foundation
Sustainability Guild International
Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
Boston Natural Areas Network
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Volunteers
To volunteer at future markets, contact Sarah Cadorette sarah.cadorette@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Valentine’s Weekend Market Update!

dotcommcoop — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:24:59 +0000

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Get ready for Valentine’s Day this Sunday at the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market-–noon-3 pm at the Codman Square Great Hall (Corner of Washington St. and Talbot Ave.)

Please continue to spread the word that SNAP participants can use EBT cards at the Winter Farmers’ Market, and will get HALF OFF through the
Boston Bounty Bucks Program (Get $20 of food for only $10)

February 12th: Healthy Hearts & Happy Hearts

The Healthworks at Codman team will be staffing the market, and trainers will be on stage to demonstrate simple exercise routines to keep you fit. Learn about fitness and wellness programs and membership opportunities at Healthworks at Codman: Community Fitness for Women & Children.
We have all the fixings for making Valentines—bring the kids to our arts and crafts table!
Equal Exchange Minis and Chocolate Rum Cakes from Good Measure Bakery for the Chocolate lovers in your life
Free Book swap continues—due to popular demand!

Food Vendors
Silverbrook Farm
Oakdale Farm
Stillman’s Meats
Lawton Cheese
Proofed Artisan and Traditional Bread
Good Measure Bakery
Powisset Farm

Crafts
Amanda Montague: Jewelry

Children’s Activities
Make Valentines for your friends and families–we have the materials, you bring the message.
Book Swap

Wellness:
1-3pm: Complimentary 10 minute chair massage by Heart of Boston Massage (here is your chance to get rid of the Post-Superbowl tension!)

What’s Going on in Dorchester:
Learn more about the Initiative to build a new Food Coop in Dorchester. Come by theDorchester Community Food Coop table to get information and buy a Winter Farmers Market T-shirt.
Get information on community garden plots now available in Dorchester
Check out the Dorchester Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page for the latest news and great pictures of the market!

The Dorchester Winter Farmers Market is a project of the Dorchester Community Food Coop. Thanks to volunteers from the Bowdoin Street Health Center and the Food in the Hood Committee for staffing the market last week. Thanks also to Bethel Steele for her beautiful music, and Marie Owens of Heart of Boston Massage for relaxing us before the big game. Many thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have volunteered time and donated resources to make the market possible. Please join us in giving thanks to the growing number of local organizations and businesses who have provided funding and in-kind support for the Winter Farmers’ Market:

GreenDorchester
The Boston Foundation
Sustainability Guild International
Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
Boston Natural Areas Network
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Volunteers
To volunteer at future markets, contact Sarah Cadorette sarah.cadorette@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Winter Farmers’ Market Update 2/5

dotcommcoop — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:32:52 +0000

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY is approaching, and what better place to get ready than the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market from 12-3pm at the Great Hall in Codman Square! See your friends and neighbors and be part of the excitement.

Getting ready for your Superbowl party? Stillman’s Farm will be having specials on meat; great cheese for snacks is available from Lawton’s Family Farm; and celebrate the Pat’s Victory with a rum cake from Good Measure Bakery. Use carrots and other fresh vegetables as Superbowl snacks!
Nervous about the game? Get a complimentary 10 minute chair massage from Heart of Boston Massage. Soothe your nerves listening to the music of Bethel Steele.

Please continue to spread the word that SNAP participants can use EBT cards at the Winter Farmers’ Market, and will get HALF OFF through the Boston Bounty Bucks (Get $20 of food for only $10)

Here’s the line up:

February 5th: SUPERBOWL SUNDAY—GO PATS!

Team Bowdoin-Geneva (made up of players from the Food in the ‘Hood Committee and the Bowdoin Street Health Center) will help staff the market, and will be sharing information about their healthy food access campaign including the Bowdoin Geneva Summer Farmers’ Market, Farm to Family CSA Program, Senior Healthy Champion Youth Employment Program, and Healthy Corner Store Initiatives! They’ll also be providing photo ops for visitors to try on their farm-fresh uniforms! Come learn about their work and cheer them on!
Career Opportunities: Representatives from the Boston Building Trades will be at the Winter Market during February and March to help people explore career opportunities in the Construction Trades. Reps will take turns being available from the following unions: Carpenters, Masons, Ironworkers, Electricians, Pipefitters, Operating Engineers, and Laborers.
Free Book swap continues—due to popular demand!

Food Vendors
Silverbrook Farm
Oakdale Farm
Stillman’s Meats (Superbowl specials on Hot Dogs, Pork Ribs, Sausages and Brisket)
Lawton Cheese
Proofed Artisan and Traditional Bread
Good Measure Bakery
Powisset Farm

Crafts
Codman Crafter Catherine Joseph with Glass and Jewelry

Music
1-2pm: Bethel Steele returns on stage with lyrical music

Children’s Activities
“Picture Yourself as a Farmer” Photo Op!
Book Swap

Wellness:
1-3pm: Complimentary 10 minute chair massage by Heart of Boston Massage

Check out the Dorchester Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page for the latest news and great pictures of the market!

The Dorchester Winter Farmers Market is a project of the Dorchester Community Food Coop. Thanks to staff and students from the Codman Academy Charter Public School for running the book swap and reading to children, and to the Codman Square Library for signing up folks for library cards. Many thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have volunteered time and donated resources to make the market possible. Please join us in giving thanks to the growing number of local organizations and businesses who have provided funding and in-kind support for the Winter Farmers’ Market:

GreenDorchester
The Boston Foundation
Sustainability Guild International
Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
Boston Natural Areas Network
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Volunteers
To volunteer at future markets, contact Sarah Cadorette sarah.cadorette@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Food Coop Pledge Form!

dotcommcoop — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:38:41 +0000

Become a member! Pledge to buy an equity share when the Dorchester Community Food Coop is incorporated! Not too far away!

Co-op membership pledge sheet

Either drop off at the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market on Sundays from 12-3pm at the Great Hall in Codman Square or mail to:

Dorchester Community Food Coop
17 Ashmont St.
Dorchester, MA 02124

Winter Market 1/29 Update

dotcommcoop — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:04:19 +0000

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

We are continuing to create great community space and farm fresh local food access for residents of Dorchester and the surrounding communities at the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market, Sundays 12-3pm at the Great Hall at Codman Square (corner of Washington St. and Talbot Ave.) Please help us grow the Market; forward this email to your own friends and neighbors and post on your Facebook pages! We have plenty of food for all. To volunteer at the market, contact sarah.cadorette@gmail.com

Here’s the line up for this coming Sunday!!

January 29 theme: DORCHESTER READS!

“Bounty Books”: Free new children and teen books for families using EBT/WIC (donated by First Book) (no purchase necessary–just show your card to be eligible)
Free book exchange for EVERYONE Donations of used books welcome! Swap your used books with your neighbors. Clean out your shelves and get some new great reads. All ages & genres of books welcome!
Book Corner Codman Academy students will read to your kids while you shop!
Codman Square Library Meet the children’s librarian. Sign up for a library card and find out about activities at the library

Food Vendors
Silverbrook Farm
Oakdale Farm
Stillman’s Meats
Lawton Cheese
Proofed Artisan and Traditional Bread
Good Measure Bakery
Stir It Up Cuisine: Caribbean Pepper Jelly and Cheese Tortes
(Powisset Farm takes a break from the market this week–but will be back next week!)

Crafts
Codman Crafter Joanne Winbush will return to the market selling jewelry
Gail’s Homemade Soaps

Children’s Activities
Face-painting for kids!
Students will read to kids on the stage while you shop

Wellness:
1-3pm: Complimentary 10 minute chair massage by Patricia

What’s Going on in Dorchester:
Learn more about the Initiative to build a new Food Coop in Dorchester. Come by theDorchester Community Food Coop table to get information, buy a Winter Farmers Market T-shirt, and enter a raffle to win a cookbook.

Please continue to spread the word that SNAP participants can use EBT cards at the Winter Farmers’ Market, and will get Boston Bounty Bucks to double the value of purchases!(Get $20 of food for only $10)

Check out the Dorchester Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page for the latest news and great pictures of the market!

After the Market:
Monday Night Wine Club at Ashmont Grill: A four course meal with wine pairings for a fixed price of $38. Throughout January, $5 of each meal will be donated to the Dorchester Community Food Co-op. This is the last night for the Wine Night Food Coop benefit! Owner/Chef Chris Douglass will be focusing the dinners on winter produce available at the Farmers’ Market. Reservations for Wine Club should be made by the Sunday or mid day Monday before each Monday night: 617-825-4300. Great fun to bring your friends!

The Dorchester Winter Farmers Market is a project of the Dorchester Community Food Coop. Thanks to our friends from SCI Dorchester for staffing our last market Many thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have volunteered time and donated resources to make the market possible. Please join us in giving thanks to the growing number of local organizations and businesses who have provided funding and in-kind support for the Winter Farmers’ Market:

GreenDorchester
The Boston Foundation
Sustainability Guild International
Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
Boston Natural Areas Network
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Volunteers
To volunteer at future markets, contact Sarah Cadorette sarah.cadorette@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Winter Market Tomorrow 1/22

dotcommcoop — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:33:29 +0000

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Its beginning to look more like winter outside, but the skies should be clear and sunny tomorrow for our third Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market from Noon to 3pm at the Codman Square Great Hall (corner of Talbot and Washington). For those driving–there is plenty of parking on the street and in the lot adjacent to the Codman Square Health Center next door.

At our second market last week we had a great turnout–more than 300 people turned out on a freezing cold holiday weekend! We had more vendors, and there was plenty of food throughout the hours of the market! Our farmers have sweet potatoes, squash, onions, garlic, turnips, celery root, carrots and parsnips, collard greens and kale, and more–everything you need to make a hardy soups and meals for this winter weather. Add a bit of grass fed meat, delicious artisan bread and cheese, and a local sweet and you have a terrific all local meal. (See recipe below for Squash, Carrot and Parsnip Ragout!)

Please continue to spread the word that SNAP participants can use EBT cards at the market, and will get Boston Bounty Bucks to double the value of purchases!(Get $20 of food for only $10)

Check out our new Dorchester Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page for the latest news and great pictures of last week!

Preview: Next week (January 29) we will be celebrating “Dorchester Reads” and we will have a book exchange for all. This week you can begin to bring books you would like to share with your neighbors. Deposit them in the “Book Exchange” box at the Food Coop table. In addition, EBT/Bounty Bucks/WIC participants can receive a new Children’s Book donated by First Book. On stage, volunteers from Codman Academy will be reading to children, and the Codman Square Library will have a library card sign up table.
Here’s the line up for January 22!!

Happy New Year to our Vietnamese friends and neighbors! Learn about Vietnamese New Year (Tet) traditions.
Volunteers from SCI Dorchester will provide volunteer staffing.

Food Vendors
Silverbrook Farm
Powisset Farm
Oakdale Farm
Stillman’s Meats
Lawton Cheese
Proofed Artisan and Traditional Bread
Good Measure Bakery

Crafts
Sierra Rothburg from GoGa will return to the market selling artwork and silk screened apparel. http://www.planetgoga.com/planetgoga/goga_menu.html

Children’s Activities
Face-painting for kids!
Color a Dragon for Tet: the Vietnamese New Year!

Workshops:
On stage: Bootstrap Compost will be demonstrating composting.http://bootstrapcompost.com/.

What’s Going on in Dorchester:
Our good friends from Social Capital Incorporated will be tabling and volunteering at the market. SCI Dorchester has been working hard not only create a fantastic informational website on all events and news Dorchester (http://www.mydorchester.org/), they have also put together toy giveaways on Christmas and done many other community oriented events.

Learn more about the Initiative to build a new Food Coop in Dorchester. Come by theDorchester Community Food Coop table to get information, buy a Winter Farmers Market T-shirt, and enter a raffle to win a cookbook.

After the Market:
Monday Night Wine Club at Ashmont Grill: A four course meal with wine pairings for a fixed price of $38. Throughout January, $5 of each meal will be donated to the Dorchester Community Food Co-op. Owner/Chef Chris Douglass will be focusing the dinners on winter produce available at the Farmers’ Market. Reservations for Wine Club should be made by the Sunday or mid day Monday before each Monday night: 617-825-4300. Great fun to bring your friends!

Thanks to Dorchester People for Peace for staffing our last market and Epiphany School students for making the paper cranes to decorate the Great Hall. Many thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have volunteered time and donated resources to make the market possible. Please join us in giving thanks to the growing number of local organizations and businesses who have provided funding and in-kind support for the Winter Farmers’ Market:

GreenDorchester
The Boston Foundation
Sustainability Guild International
Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
Boston Natural Areas Network
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Volunteers
To volunteer at future markets, contact Sarah Cadorette sarah.cadorette@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Recipe for Healthy Eating from the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market (submitted by Molly Shaw)

Butternut Squash, Carrot & Parsnip Ragoût

From EatingWell: September/October 1994

6 servings

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash, (about 1 pound)

Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1 tablespoon butter

2 cups diced carrots

2 cups diced parsnips

1 teaspoon sugar

2 large leeks, trimmed (all but 2 inches of green removed), cleaned and chopped

Optional: Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Heat oil in a shallow roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add squash, season with salt and pepper and toss gently. Add 1/2 cup broth and transfer the pan to the oven. Bake until squash is just tender, about 15 minutes; do not overcook.

Meanwhile, heat butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, parsnips, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste; cook until the vegetables are lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup broth, cover the pan and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a dish and set aside.

Add leeks and the remaining 1/4 cup broth to the pan, season with salt and pepper, cover the pan and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved squash, carrots and parsnips and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding a grating of nutmeg. Simmer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes to warm through before serving

Nutrition

Per serving: 155 calories; 3 g fat (2g sat, 1g mono); 6 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 6 g fiber; 122 mg sodium; 779 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (410% daily value), Vitamin C (65% dv), Folate & Potassium (22% dv), Magnesium (17% dv).

What a Great Success!

dotcommcoop — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:37:59 +0000

Dear Friends of the Dorchester Community Food Coop:

What an amazing Opening Day we had last week at the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market! More than 650 people attended, and the atmosphere was electric! Folks chatted with neighbors, shopped from local farmers, celebrated the diversity of Dorchester, welcomed Mayor Menino, and showed the city that our neighborhood is part of the conversation about healthy food! I hope you all saw the great Boston Globe article on page 1 of the Metro Section on Monday, January 9.

Please keep the momentum going and come to our second market this coming Sunday, January 15. We will have one additional produce vendor, and all the vendors are bringing MORE FOOD now that they know to expect such a big crowd. Let’s not disappoint them!

Spread the word that SNAP participants can use EBT cards at the market, and will get Boston Bounty Bucks to double the value of purchases! (Get $20 of food for only $10)

Check out our new Dorchester Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page for the latest news and pictures of last week!

Here’s the line up for January 15th!!

We are celebrating Martin Luther King Day by honoring Dr. King’s Vision for Peace in the World and Peace in Our Neighborhoods. Our host organization will be Dorchester People for Peace, who are working to bring this message to our neighborhood

Food Vendors

Silverbrook Farm
Powisset Farm
Oakdale Farm
Stillman’s Meats
Lawton Cheese
Proofed Artisan and Traditional Bread
Good Measure Bakery

Crafts

Jewelry by Jo-Ann Winbush, a member of Codman Crafters

Health and Children’s Activities

Imani Massage Therapy (1-3 pm): Complimentary 10 minute chair massage by Christine Rose
Face Painting
Crafts: Write or draw your message of peace on a peace dove. Learn how to make origami paper cranes, a world-wide symbol of peace

Music

Bethel Steel (1-2 pm), a sultry-voiced young folk performer who writes simple and direct poetry, sets it to beautiful music, and sings with her guitar as accompaniment.

What’s Going on in Dorchester

Dorchester People for Peace: learn about their work to build a multi-racial peace movement in the neighborhoods of Dorchester
Dorchester Community Food Co-op: stop by to learn more about the progress of the Food Co-op organizing, take our Co-op Survey, buy a T-shirt, and enter a raffle to win a cookbook: “Boston Uncommon: A Culinary Journey Through Boston’s Distinctive Neighborhoods.”

After the Market

Monday Night Wine Club at Ashmont Grill: A four course meal with wine pairings for a fixed price of $38. Throughout January, $5 of each meal will be donated to the Dorchester Community Food Co-op. Owner/Chef Chris Douglass will be focusing the dinners on winter produce available at the Farmers’ Market. Reservations for Wine Club should be made by the Sunday or mid day Monday before each Monday night: 617-825-4300. Great fun to bring your friends!

Volunteers
Volunteers needed to teach older children to make Origami peace cranes—training provided! Also—some volunteers needed to help set up mid day on Saturday. Contact Jenny Silverman silverman.jen@gmail.com

To volunteer at future markets, contact Sarah Cadorette sarah.cadorette@gmail.com

Many thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have volunteered time and donated resources to make the market possible. Please join us in giving thanks to the local organizations and businesses who have provided funding and in-kind support for the Winter Farmers’ Market:

Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
GreenDorchester
Boston Natural Areas Network
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Today is the Day!

dotcommcoop — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:08:55 +0000

Today is the Grand Opening of the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market. Grab your shopping bags and come on down to the Great Hall at the Codman Square Health Center (6 Norfolk St) from noon to 3:00pm. Mayor Thomas Menino will be cutting the ribbon at 2:00pm. See you there!

Happy New Year!

dotcommcoop — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:21:27 +0000

Happy New Year to all the friends and supporters of the Dorchester Community Food Co-op. It has been an incredible year of imagining what a new co-op could mean for Dorchester.

Our first project is about to launch—we hope to see many of you at the

Grand Opening of the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market at the Great Hall in Codman Square this Sunday, January 8 from 12 to 3pm.

Mayor Menino and other dignitaries will join us at 2 pm for a ribbon cutting ceremony. It will be a busy day—so be sure to come early enough to take part in all the activities! The market will open at noon, and will welcome EBT card holders. Bounty Bucks will be available to double the value of SNAP purchases up to $10.

Here’s the line up for January 8th!!

Food Vendors

Silverbrook Farm
Powisset Farm
Oakdale Farm
Stillman’s Meats
Lawton Cheese
Proofed Artisan and Traditional Bread
Good Measure Bakery

Crafts

Planet Goga: original silk screened clothing from Dorchester artist Sierra Rothberg

Health and Children’s Activities

Heart of Boston Massage Therapy (1-3pm): 10 minute chair massage by Dorchester native Marie Owen
Ashmont Nursery School will be there with face painting and children’s crafts

Music

The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band (1-2 pm) will get us moving with their “raucous, stomp-your-foot-and-belt-out-the-choruses” New Orleans-style street band music.

What’s Going on in Dorchester

Codman Academy Charter Public School: learn about this innovative high school located right here in Codman Square.
Dorchester Community Food Co-op: stop by to learn more about the progress of the Food Co-op organizing, take our Co-op Survey, and enter a raffle to win a cookbook: “Boston Uncommon: A Culinary Journey Through Boston’s Distinctive Neighborhoods.”

After the Market

Monday Night Wine Club at Ashmont Grill: A four course meal with wine pairings for a fixed price of $38. Throughout January, $5 of each meal will be donated to the Dorchester Community Food Co-op. Owner/Chef Chris Douglass will be focusing the dinners on winter produce available at the Farmers’ Market. Reservations for Wine Club should be made by the Sunday before each Monday:617-825-4300. Great fun to bring your friends!

Volunteers
To volunteer at the Market in the coming weeks, contact Sarah Cadorette atsarah.cadorette@gmail.com

Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness (for support of the Bounty Bucks program)
Codman Square Health Center
Carney Hospital
Codman Academy Charter Public School
Codman Square Neighborhood Council and the B.O.L.D. Teens
GreenDorchester
Ashmont Grill
Eastern Bank
Shawmut Design and Construction
Expressway Toyota

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Market!
The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Team

Wine and Dine for the Coop

dotcommcoop — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:14:52 +0000

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY @ ASHMONT GRILL

WHILE HELPING SUPPORT

DORCHESTER’S MOST WORTHY ORGANIZATIONS

Hear ye! Hear ye! The Dorchester Community Food Cooperative cuts the ribbon on its much-anticipated Winter Farmer’s Market in historic Codman Square Great Hall on January 8.

Simultaneously, ASHMONT GRILL’s innovative Give Back @ The Grill program enters its second year by supporting the Dorchester Community Food Coop throughout the month of January. How ?

Proceeds of its Monday Night Wine Club will be donated directly to the Food Coop. That’s $5 out of every $38 three-course wine tasting sold on Monday nights during January.

If Wine Club sells out on those five consecutive Mondays, the Food Coop stands to benefit by close to $2,000. That’s a significant windfall for a fledging organization whose goal is to serve the civic and nutritional needs of the neighborhood (more info at www.dotcommcoop.wordpress.com)

“We’re proud of the financial support we’ve been able to offer to Dorchester’s most needful organizations during 2011, and we look forward to continuing the give back tradition in 2012,” says ASHMONT GRILL General Manager Tara O’Riordan.

O’Riordan has lined up the Give Back @ The Grill program’s beneficiaries for most of the year ahead. Proceeds for February and March will be donated to Elizabeth Seton Academy and to Codman Academy, respectively.

Monday Night Wine Club events will feature small plates of seasonal fare paired with: New World wines (Jan. 2), Jean Bousquet of Argentina (Jan. 9), Italian Reds vs. Whites (Jan. 16), Viva La France (Jan. 23) and the Pacific Northwest (Jan. 30).

Winter Menu Highlights @ ASHMONT GRILL:

* Candied Apple Salad: mixed greens with roasted apples and peanut brittle, plus blue cheese and shaved parsnips with a cider vinaigrette

* Smoked Brisket with Foie Gras Aioli, crispy onions, housemade pickles

* Black Back Flounder Meuniere, sage-pink peppercorn sauce, almond spaetzle

* Farro & Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash with poickled maitakes, mushroom jus

* Cranberry-Orange Sorbet in a Meringue Shell with Grand Marnier’d Berries

Bar Highlights @ ASHMONT GRILL:

Ginger Sidecar

Winter Delight

Ashmont Eggnog

Blood Orange Collins

Storm Watch: Root Beer Liqueur, ginger beer, lime

ASHMONT GRILL

555 Talbot Avenue,

Dorchester, MA

617-825-4300 www.ashmontgrill.com