Welcome to the 2013 Farmers’ Market season! Farmers’ markets in Bucks County and nearby are in full swing with many having opened in late April or early May. Several are opening in early June too. There are now eight in Bucks County.

Most farmers’ markets in Bucks County are now selling a wide array of goods, all grown or produced in Bucks or nearby. Products like delicious baked goods (including cookies, breads, pies and more); Grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, poultry, and lamb; eggs, cheeses and yogurt from pastured animals; local unprocessed raw honey, maple syrup and beeswax candles; flowers and plants; jams, jellies, condiments and sauces; organic, fair trade, locally roasted coffees; prepared foods, hand-made soaps and lotions, artisan and handcrafted goods, and, of course, locally grown produce.

Let’s not forget the great year-round farmers’ markets in Bucks. None Such Farm Market in Buckingham provides meats, cheeses, baked goods, grocery items, plants, and fresh produce from their farm across the street. Blue Moon Acres, also in Buckingham, sells their microgreens, grown in Buckingham, and vegetables from their Pennington farm on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm.

Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, and at The Market at Delaware Valley College, also offer a wide variety of foods, in addition to fruit and produce from their farm and from the college. The indoor Newtown Farmers’ Market has been a mainstay in Newtown for years, with a diverse group of vendors from Amish, to Middle Eastern, to Asian and Mexican. In Ivyland, Tanners Bros. Dairy Market offers their own meat and dairy products (and ice cream!), and nicely priced produce (sometimes local).

Carroll’s Seafood & Produce in Plumsteadville carries produce, local milk, and a good selection of fish. Likewise, Bolton’s in Silverdale. In addition to local produce, you can get their fresh, hormone-free, antibiotic-free poultry year-round, raised on their farm adjacent to the store. And as you wind your way up Route 611, stop in at Trauger’s in Kintersville. They carry a huge variety of fruit and vegetables from their 9th generation-owned farm. There is also the indoor Stockton Market, open year-round on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Stockton, NJ. [See our post on the Stockton Market here.]

To find more local farm stands and markets, check out the Fresh From Bucks County Farms Guide on the Web site of the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Bucks County. If you want to know where you can do “pick-your-own” produce, or who sells locally raised beef, it’s a great resource. According to the guide, the 2007 Census of Agricultural has ranked Bucks County as 20th in the nation in the category of Direct Sales by Farmers to Consumers for Human Consumption. Aren’t we lucky?

Here’s a listing of seasonal farm markets in Bucks (and nearby), arranged geographically (going south to north). Most of the markets take place rain or shine. Some have email lists, a great reminder as well as source of what will be selling in the market that week. Click on the name of the market to go to their Web site and get even more information.

In Bucks County…

• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm: Wednesdays 3 – 6 pm, 2350 Bridgetown Pike in Feasterville, Starting June 5 until October 30.
  
• Langhorne Farmers’ Market: Tuesdays 3 – 6:30 pm, at the Jesse Soby American Legion Post, 115 W. Richardson Ave. in Langhorne. Starting June 4 until October 29.
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market: Thursdays 3:30 – 6:30 pm, at Edgewood & Heacock Roads in Yardley. Starting June 6 until October 17.
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm, at 2203 2nd Street Pike (next to the Wrightstown Township Municipal Building), Wrightstown. Starting May 4 until November 23.
• Doylestown Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 7 am – noon, on Hamilton Ave. near West State St. in Doylestown. Starting April 20 until November 23.
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market: Saturdays 9 am – noon, at the Plumsteadville Grange near the intersection of Route 611 and Keller’s Church Rd. in Plumsteadville. Starting June 1 until October 26.
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market: Fridays 4 – 8 pm, 8230 Easton Rd. (Rt. 611, between Rt. 113 and 412) in Ottsville. Beginning April 26 until October 11.
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm, 7th and Market Streets in Perkasie. Start date TBA.
  

In nearby counties…

• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, at Penn Ave. and Main St. in Telford. Beginning June 29 until October 19.
• Lansdale Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm, Railroad Avenue at Main Street in Lansdale. Beginning May 18 until November 2.
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market: Sundays 9 am – 1 pm, at Water Street Park on Water Street in Hellertown. Starting May 5 until November 24.
• Easton Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm, Centre Square in downtown Easton. Starting May 4 until November 23.

Across da river in Jersey…

• Capital City Market: Thursdays 11 am – 2 pm, East State St., The Commons Between Warren & Broad Sts., Trenton, NJ. Beginning July 11 through October 24.
• Trenton Farmers’ Market: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm, Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm, at 960 Spruce St. in Lawrence Township, NJ. Year round.
• Gravity Hill Farm Market: Tuesdays 1 – 6 pm, Sundays 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, in Titusville, NJ (see website for more details).
• Lawrenceville Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 8 am – noon, 20 South Clayton St. in Lawrenceville, NJ. Opening June 1 through September 7.
• Pennington Farmers’ Market: Saturday mornings, 101 Rt. 31 North at Rosedale Mills in Pennington, NJ. Beginning June 1 through October 26.
• Blue Moon Acres – Pennington Farm: Wednesday – Friday from 9 am – 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm.
• Hopewell Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 2 – 6 pm, year round, at the Hopewell train station off of Greenwood Ave. in Hopewell, NJ.
• Sergeantsville Farmers Market: Saturdays 8:30 – noon, Routes 604 and 12. Starting May 11 through end of October.
• Stockton Market: Fridays 3 – 7 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm, on Bridge St. in Stockton, NJ. Year-round and indoor.
• Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance Farmers’ Market at Dvoor Farm: Sundays 9 am – 1 pm, at Dvoor Farm, at 111 Mine Street, in Flemington, NJ on the Route 12 (Dvoor) Circle. Beginning May 19 until November 24.

For more information on New Jersey markets in nearby Mercer County, see the State of New Jersey’s site, Jersey Fresh.

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

The weather may be a little iffy this weekend but hopefully it will hold off raining. Saturday is New Hope’s 10th Annual Pride Parade (starting at noon) and I would hate for that parade to get rained on!

Farmers Markets. The Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market at Dvoor Farm in Flemington opens for the season this Sunday with hours from 9 am to 1 pm. You’ll find pasture-raised meats, eggs, vegetables, cheeses and even, wine. See more about their vendors on their website.

What can you expect to find at most farmers markets this week? Rosemary, thyme, chives, arugula and sorrel, asparagus, tender broccoli rabe, dandelion greens, Tuscan and Red Russian kale, lettuce, radishes, spinach, stinging nettles, tatsoi, bok choi, green garlic, Swiss chard, and rhubarb.

Many markets will have fresh, hormone and antibiotic-free, pasture-raised chicken, turkey, pork and 100% grass-fed beef, and pasture-raised, free range eggs. Look also for cow and goat milk cheeses, smoothies, yogurt, and milk; foraged wild mushrooms and cultivated mushrooms, and prepared foods like dill pickles, sauces, fruit butters, gluten free and vegan products, olive oil, and humus. Artisanal breads and baked goods, including gluten free, are at several markets and you may find organic maple syrup, as well as fair trade, organic, locally roasted coffee.

Adopt-A-Pantry Food Drive. It may be difficult to imagine but ten percent of Bucks County residents are food insecure. The Bucks County Opportunity Council has organized a major food drive, Adopt-A-Pantry 2013, which will help area pantries stock up for summertime when children don’t receive breakfast and lunch from school and their shelves are the emptiest. More than 102,000 people visited pantries here last year, receiving 1,243,715 meals. All food collected will benefit the Food and Nutrition Network (FaNN), made up of 27 food distribution sites.

What type of food is needed? Non-perishable, unexpired food like canned food including meats, soups, fruit, tuna, and vegetables. Rice, beans, granola bars, cereal, powdered milk, peanut butter, pasta, sauces, oatmeal, pudding and jelly are also welcome. Where can you drop it off? At Delaware Valley College on this Saturday, May 18; Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21. To learn more about the drive and how to volunteer to help sorting, see their website.

Firehouse Breakfasts. There are three going on this Sunday – in Perkasie, Riegelsville and Sellersville. All three do this on a regular basis so they know what they are doing. See the full food calendar for details. Yum.

The Old Bethlehem Road Hotel in Quakertown (well, really Haycock Township) is having their 1st Annual Open House on Monday night. Free drinks and food for everyone! They want to thank all their loyal customers. Pretty nice thing to do. It begins at 5 pm and goes until 9 pm.

Don’t forget this Saturday, Carversville Day and the Perkasie SpringFest will be taking place. See our post from last week about these fun days.

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, May 17:

• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market at Linden Hill Gardens – Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA [4 - 8 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College, 2100 Lower State Rd, Doylestown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [6 - 9 pm]
• 9th Annual Taste of the World Gala – Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA [7 - 10:30 pm]
• Food & Wine Pairing – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7:30 - 9 pm]

Saturday, May 18:

• Adopt-A-Pantry Food Drive – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [all day]
• Doylestown Farmers’ Market – W. State & Hamilton St., Doylestown, PA [7 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market – Wrightstown Twp. Municipal Bldg (parking lot), 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stangl Factory Farmers’ Market – Stangl Factory, 12 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 2 pm]
• Stockton Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9:00 am - 4 pm]
• Carversville Day – Carversville Square, Aquetong and Carversville Roads, Carversville, PA [10 am - 2 pm]
• Home Grown Goodness with Karen Rogers – Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA [10 am - 3 pm]
• Yoga & Wine – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [11 am - 1 pm]
• Backyard BBQ – New Seasons at New Britain, 800 Manor Drive, Chalfont, PA [11 am - 2 pm]
• 10th Annual New Hope Pride Parade – Bridge & Main Streets, New Hope, PA [12 - 1 pm]
• Wine Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• Springfest in Perkasie Olde Towne – Perkasie Olde Towne, 7th and Markets Sts, Perkasie, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Mixology Weekends – Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [1 - 5 pm]
• Beer Tasting – New Hope Beverage, 6542-K1 Lower York Rd (Logan Square), New Hope, PA [3 - 7 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]

Sunday, May 19:

• Breakfast – Perkasie Fire Co., Fifth and Arch Sts., Perkasie, PA [7:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Breakfast – Riegelsville Fire Company, 333 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, PA [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Breakfast – Sellersville Fire House, 2 N. Main St, Sellersville, PA [8 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market – Dvoor Farm, Route 12 Circle, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Colonial Cooking Demonstration – Washington Crossing Historic Park, PA: Hibbs House, Washington Crossing, PA [10 am - 4 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
• Home Grown Goodness with Karen Rogers – Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA [11 am - 12:30 pm]
• 2nd Annual Wine & Waddle – Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ [11 am - 4 pm]
• Spring Wine Trail: Southern Tour – Various wineries, Bucks County [12 - 5 pm]
• Doylestown Food Co-op: “Eat Your View” – The Bucks County Project Gallery, 252 West Ashland Street, Doylestown, , PA [1 - 3 pm]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 4 pm]
• Jazzy Sundays – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [2 - 5 pm]

Monday, May 20:

• Adopt-A-Pantry Food Drive – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [all day]
• Burger Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• 1st Annual Open House – Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Free Dinner – Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie, PA [5:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Monday Wine Special plus Surf & Turf – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [5:30 - 10 pm]
• Half Price Burgers Night – Continental Tavern, 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA [6 - 10 pm]
• Spain Wine Dinner – Vintage Grille, 3617 Ferry Rd , Fountainville, PA [7 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, May 21:

• Adopt-A-Pantry Food Drive – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [all day]
• Cheesesteak Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Wings and Yuengs – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Tastings – Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]

Wednesday, May 22:

• Pierogi Sale – St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1545 Easton Rd., Warrington, PA [9 am - 3 pm]
• Specialty Keg Tappings – Isaac Newton’s, 18 South State Street, Newtown, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Wings & Yuengs – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Kids Eat Free Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Burger Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Supper Club – The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St, New Hope, PA [6 - 10 pm]

Thursday, May 23:

• Community Hero Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Mexican Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Emilia-Romagna – Casa Casale, #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Here’s your chance. Fulper Family Farmstead, a fifth generation dairy farm just outside Lambertville, is hosting a weekend getaway for adults on the farm. Their summer camp program for kids (Dairy Day Camp) has been a hit for eight years and parents often tell them that they wish they could attend too. So, says Molly Pfaffenroth, Fulper’s marketing manager, they decided to create a “summer camp” program just for adults.

Fulper Family Farmstead’s Weekend Getaway On the Farm takes place at the farm on June 1 – 2, 2013. Each adult gets their very own calf to walk and take care of throughout the weekend, including naming, training, leading, and washing. There will even be a showmanship contest with a real judge.

Participants will also make butter, ice cream, or milkshakes, milk a cow, and participate in “down & dirty” farm games and eating contests. Hamilton’s Grill Room will prepare a delicious dinner using Fulper Farm cheeses. They will even help you get a discounted rate at a local inn for Saturday night. And June is National Dairy Month. What a great way to celebrate. Contact Molly via email or phone (609.651.5991) to make a reservation and she’ll set you up.

At Flint Hill Farm you can take the whole family for a “farm” experience – learn how to ride a horse, take care of goats, collect eggs or make cheese.

The 28-acre preserved farm is in Coopersburg (Lehigh County), just over the border with Bucks County. The farm dates back to the 1850′s. It was the home to farmer families Cicon and Haccock until Kathy Fields purchased the farm in 1997. She, along with her volunteers, also runs the Flint Hill Farm Educational Center, Inc. as a way to educate the surrounding community about farm life.

The working farm offers six acres of wooded paths, pastures for sheep, goats, and cows and assorted gardens planted with herbs, flowers and vegetables. A Certified Raw milk dairy provides goat and cow milk for the Flint Hill Farm Educational Center’s sale of both pasteurized and raw milk, and pasteurized added-value products of artisan cheese, fresh butter and yogurt.

Flint Hill  Farm offers “farm stays” that allow families to experience life “on the farm” together one day at a time. While visiting, you collect your own eggs for breakfast, help milk the cows and goats, and assist with the feeding and handling of the horses, sheep, chickens, pigs and goats to their level of comfort.

Flint Hill offers several options, including the Cheese Artist Package (2 weekend nights, $380), The Horse and Rider Package (1 night, 1 hour lesson, $155) or one- or two-night farm stays that give you a chance to experience working on the farm. See their website to learn more about the farm, see photos and explore all the farm stay options.

Farm markets. Two markets are opening this weekend. The long-awaited Sandy Ridge Farm Market is having a Grand Opening Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Doylestown. Not only will the Touhill family farm be providing produce but they will also be carrying locally produced goods from all over Bucks County, including The Coffee Scoop, Nick’s Honey, OB Sauce, Giggling Goat Dairy, Maddalena’s Cheesecake and Catering, Brad’s Raw Chips, Don’s PIckles, Wos Wit Foods, Solebury Orchards, Penn View Dairy and the Fruitful Baker. See their Facebook page for more information.

In Titusville, Gravity Hill Farm will be opening their sweet little market this Sunday. In addition to certified organic produce from their farm, they share the space with other local vendors and their kitchen serves up tastings every weekend. You’ll also find them at the Stockton Market, but visiting the farm is lots of fun.

Brews and vino. This Saturday is the 3rd Annual Washington Crossing Brewfest and there should still be tickets left (see their website). Don’t worry about the rain – they will have tents. In addition to music and food, there will be 67 breweries this year, including many based in Bucks County.

Several wineries are celebrating Mother’s Day and spring this weekend. Crossing Vineyards in Washington Crossing will have Wine Tasting for Moms on Saturday. In Ringoes, Old York Cellars is honoring moms with a Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend and at nearby Unionville Vineyards they are putting on their Spring Wine Festival, rain or shine. On Mother’s Day, Alba Vineyards is honoring moms at their annual Mother’s Day Festival with wine tastings, cellar tours, food and music. On Saturday, the Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room in Peddler’s Village is hosting Mixology Weekend where you will be able to sample three to four mixed drinks and then select your favorite drink served in a fun keepsake glass.

While you are at Peddler’s Village, stop by Casa Casale on Saturday for their Meatball Festa. Chef Fiorenzq Dolceamore will judge a meatball contest. There may still be time to register to enter your meatballs! Registration is $25 and all proceeds go to Point Pleasant Pediatric Care. Call 215.794.1474.

Coming up. Next Saturday, May 18 will be Carversville Day in the small, charming village of Carversville. The annual event includes a cookie contest, jazz, crafts, kids’ activities and the famous Pet Parade! Also next Saturday is Perkasie Olde Towne Spring Fest with live music, a 5K Race/Fun Run in the morning, a ribs grilling competition and sampling, a pie baking competition and eating contest, the A&T Chevrolet-Subaru Big Wheel Downhill Derby, a food court, local merchants and vendors, and the Free Will Brewing Co. Beer Sampling Tent.

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a spring-y weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, May 10:

• Grand Opening of Sandy Ridge Farm Market – Sandy Ridge Farm, 925 Sandy Ridge Rd, Doylestown, PA [8 am - 6 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• First Friday at Blue Moon Acres Market – 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington, NJ [4 - 7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market at Linden Hill Gardens – Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA [4 - 8 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Fish Fry Dinner – Plumsteadville Grange, 5901 Easton Rd (Route 611 & Keller’s Church Rd), Plumsteadville, PA [5 - 7 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 -8 pm]
• Spaghetti Dinner – Delaware Valley Fire Company, Headquarters Road, Erwinna, PA [5:30 - 7:30 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College, 2100 Lower State Rd, Doylestown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Singles – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7 - 9 pm]
• TGIF Music! – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [8 - 10 pm]

Saturday, May 11:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market – W. State & Hamilton St., Doylestown, PA [7 am - 12 pm]
• Grand Opening of Sandy Ridge Farm Market – Sandy Ridge Farm, 925 Sandy Ridge Rd, Doylestown, PA [8 am - 6 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market – Wrightstown Twp. Municipal Bldg (parking lot), 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stangl Factory Farmers’ Market – Stangl Factory, 12 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 2 pm]
• Stockton Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9:00 am - 4 pm]
• Queen Rearing for Experienced Beekeepers – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [9 am - 4 pm]
• From Garden to Table: Fresh Ideas for Herbs – Greenshire Arts Consortium, 3620 Sterner Mill Road , Quakertown, PA [10 am - 1 pm]
• Warwick Day 2013 – Warwick Park at Guinea Lane, Jamison, PA [10 am - 3 pm]
• First Saturday – Newtown, Pa [11 am - 4 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Moms – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road , Washington Crossing, PA [12 - 3 pm]
• Meatball Festa – Casa Casale, #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [12 - 5 pm]
• Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Wine Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• Spring Wine Festival – Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 7 pm]
• 3rd Washington Crossing Brewfest – Washington Crossing Park, upper park behind Thompson Neely House, Washington Crossing, PA [12:30 - 4:30 pm]
• Mixology Weekends – Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [1 - 5 pm]
• English Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show – McCoole’s, 4 S. Main Street (Main & Broad Streets), Quakertown, PA [2 - 4 pm]
• Pairing Wine & Dessert – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [3 - 4:30 pm]
• Ham & Roast Beef Dinner – Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, Woxall, PA [3 - 6:30 pm]
• Beer Tasting – New Hope Beverage, 6542-K1 Lower York Rd (Logan Square), New Hope, PA [3 - 7 pm]
• Roast Beef Dinner – Plumsteadville Fire Co., 5064 Stump Rd., Plumsteadville, Pa [3 - 7 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Summer Wine and Music Series – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [6 - 9 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]

Sunday, May 12 – Mother’s Day:

• Queen Rearing for Experienced Beekeepers – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [9 am - 4 pm]
• Grand Opening of Sandy Ridge Farm Market – Sandy Ridge Farm, 925 Sandy Ridge Rd, Doylestown, PA [9 am - 5 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
• Vinyasa Yoga & Wine – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road , Washington Crossing, PA [11:30 am - 1:30 pm]
• Mother’s Day Festival – Alba Vineyard, 269 County Road 627, Milford, NJ 08848 [12 - 5 pm]
• Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• How Sweet It Is: Pairing Wine and Chocolate – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 4 pm]
• Jazzy Sundays – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [2 - 5 pm]

Monday, May 13:

• Burger Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Monday Wine Special plus Surf & Turf – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [5:30 - 10 pm]
• Half Price Burgers Night – Continental Tavern, 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA [6 - 10 pm]

Tuesday, May 14:

• Cheese Steak Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Wings and Yuengs – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Tastings – Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
• Food for Thought: Book club – Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main Street, Doylestown, PA [6:15 - 8 pm]
• Literate Epicures of Newtown – The Newtown Bookshop, 2829 South Eagle Road Newtown, PA [7 - 8:30 pm]

Wednesday, May 15:

• Pierogi Sale – St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1545 Easton Rd., Warrington, PA [9 am - 3 pm]
• Specialty Keg Tappings – Isaac Newton’s, 18 South State Street, Newtown, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Wings & Yuengs – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Kids Eat Free Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Burger Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Free Community Dinner – Christ Community Bible Church, 1830 N. Ridge Rd, Perkasie, PA [5:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Supper Club – The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St, New Hope, PA [6 - 10 pm]

Thursday, May 16:

• Community Hero Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Mexican Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Emilia-Romagna – Casa Casale, #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]
• Wine & Spirits: Tarot Card Reading & Wine Tasting – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Raia, chef and owner of Caffe Galleria, opened this third incarnation of her restaurant in the former parish house of the First Presbyterian Church on 23 N. Union Street. It took 15 months to renovate the space but it was worth it. “It’s great seeing people’s experience and their reactions,” she says, “They feel so comfortable. They tell me ‘it feels like you’ve always been here.’”

Twenty five years ago Raia came to the area as an artist and wanted to create a unique space, a cross between a café and a gallery, with original local artwork. “I wanted to create a place that would be comfortable for locals,” she explains. She started cooking in 1995 and after starting a restaurant in Lahaska, settled in Lambertville in a small space on Lilly Street, off of South Main Street. The restaurant quickly became a fixture in Lambertville with its Mediterranean and Italian influenced menu. The locals loved it.

Fast forward to August 2011 and Hurricane Irene. A wall of water came rushing down the three hills that meet in Lambertville and the restaurant on Lilly Street was seriously flooded. Raia had been talking to the owners of the Lambertville House Hotel, consulting with them about their kitchen space and its suitability to serve the hotel. She called them up and said, new plan. We could open a restaurant in that space this afternoon. Deal made.

For over a year, Raia ran Caffe Galleria in the basement of the Lambertville House Hotel, serving her same menu and loyal customers, and providing food for the hotel’s patrons, all the while renovating the historic Victorian parish house.

Step into the new space and you’ll notice the main addition to the new restaurant – an espresso bar and gelato case. Marble counters and tables give an Italian flavor to the room and make you want to sit down for a cappuccino. In the main dining room, light from floor to ceiling windows fills the room and warm red walls create a cozy feel. Old church pews provide seating with soft pillows scattered about. The beautiful wood tables were all made for the restaurant, crafted from a local poplar tree. The walls are covered in colorful original artwork, part of a revolving exhibit that changes every 5-6 weeks. A cutaway window behind the front counter looks into the kitchen. “I wanted open space,” explains Raia, “I’ve always had an open kitchen. People are used to talking to me in the kitchen!”

The menu includes all the old favorites with a couple of new dishes. “We tried to change the menu when we moved into the new space, but the customers don’t want it,” Raia says. That’s okay, though, because there is lots of good stuff on it. Breakfast is served every day and includes eggs, omelettes and Galleria favorites like the stuffed French toast. Lunch offers interesting salads, Panini sandwiches, a lunch sized portion of the famous Galleria pasta or rice dishes. Dinner appetizers include vegetable or goat cheese crostini, a hummus platter, and a Southwest Flatbread. Pasta dishes are many and run the gamut from traditional Italian specialties like linguini with clams and vodka rigatoni, to chicken and scallop tangine, sesame chicken and shrimp, and the Chef’s ravioli of the day. Entrees like Chicken Aphrodite can also be served with tofu, or try pan roasted seitan. Many of the dishes like the wild salmon or the 10 oz NY Strip Steak are finished in the brick oven. The oven also turns out traditional NY-style pizza, stromboli, calzones and gourmet pizzas. Almost everything is made to order, so special requests are not a problem.

One thing you’ll notice about the menu. It offers many vegetarian and vegan choices, along with meat dishes. “We like to say that Caffe Galleria is where the unapologetic carnivore and dedicated vegan dine together happily,” jokes Raia, a vegetarian herself. The options are creative and delicious, and may even convince a carnivore to eat more vegetables.

Local sourcing is also very important to Raia. Over the last 17 years she has developed a network of local farms and purveyors to provide meat, eggs, and vegetables, all from within 50 – 100 miles of the restaurant. The bread comes from New York City. The ravioli from Queen Ann Ravioli & Macaroni in Brooklyn. The gelato is made to order from Capo Giro in Philadelphia using all natural milk from Lancaster and seasonal ingredients. “They let me create my own flavors,” says Raia, “It’s the best gelato I’ve had since Italy.”

The new, bigger space will also allow Raia to support local causes with fundraisers and events, something she does frequently. But above all, says Raia, it’s about creating a comfortable space where people feel welcome any time. Judging from the feedback, mission accomplished.

This article was originally published in the 2013 spring issue of Bucks Life magazine.

Dawn Raia keeps busy running three very different restaurants in Lambertville. Even after moving Caffe Galleria into its new home, she continues to run the kitchen in the Lambertville House Hotel, serving hotel guests and walk-in’s with small plates, great burgers and entrees, as well as breakfast and lunch.

Stop by the City Market on North Main Street and settle in for a chat with local neighbors and friends. “It reminds me of my grandparents’ place in Brooklyn,” says Raia, referring to the bakery and sweet shop she grew up in. You can get milk, eggs, a head of lettuce but also breakfast, lunch, gourmet take-out and sandwiches. The long farm house tables provide communal seating and a comfortable place to hang out – which people do all day.

“Each place is different,” says Raia. In fact, each has its own coffee roaster with different roasts and blends.

The Left Bank Bistro (at the Lambertville House Hotel)
32 Bridge Street
Lambertville, NJ

The City Market
74 North Main Street
Lambertville, NJ

Caffe Galleria
23 N. Union Street
Lambertville, NJ

The Wrightstown Farmers Market opens for the season this Saturday, May 4 at 9 am.  The market will have over 30 vendors this year, including 6 new vendors. Saturday’s festivities will begin with a ribbon cutting at 9 am by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and State Representative Scott Petri. The first 80 shoppers will get free seedlings. There will be music by the Goose Creek Pioneers and, of course, lots of local food – baked goods, wood-fired breads, cheeses, pasture-raised pork, grass-fed beef, spring vegetables and so much more.

Blue Moon Acres Farm Market is kicking off the season with a first Friday event every month. The new market in Pennington carries not only produce from their certified organic Pennington farm but a wide array of locally produced products from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This Friday will be a Wine & Chocolate Tasting featuring chocolates by Laurie’s Chocolates and wines from Old York Cellars.

A new photography exhibit at the Bucks County Project Gallery in Doylestown celebrates Bucks County’s food and farms. “Eat Your View. Foods and Farms of Bucks County” features over twenty local photographers and their artistic interpretations of our beautiful county. The exhibit runs from May 3 – 28. Hours are Thursday – Sunday afternoons. The artist’s reception Open House is on Friday May 3 from 2-6pm and is open to the public.

Coming up. The 3rd Annual Washington Crossing Brewfest is next Saturday, May 11 and if you want to go, don’t wait to buy tickets. They usually sell out way before the event. Click here to purchase tickets online. And, believe it or not, next Sunday, May 12 is Mother’s Day already. We’ll be going to the Golden Pheasant Inn in Erwinna. A lovely atmosphere and great food by chefs Blake Faure and Jon Ramsey. And what a deal! Mother’s Day Brunch is only $35 and includes dishes like Grilled Petite Grass Fed Sirloin with Sunny Side Up Egg, Dungeness lump crabcake with a Hollandaise sauce, Belgian waffles, poached Scottish salmon with an Herbes de Provence infused tomato sauce and traditional Eggs Benedict. The meal also includes soup or salad du jour, dessert and coffee or tea. I can’t wait! Check out the Yardley Inn too for Mother’s Day. You can see the special menu here but here’s a taste of what is on offer: Crab cakes with grilled asparagus; Slow roasted chicken breast,mushrooms and peas, grilled lamb chops; softshell crabs; and locally foraged wild nettle gnudi, mushrooms, ramps, truffle and castelrosso cheese.

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a delicious weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, May 3:

• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• First Friday at Blue Moon Acres Market – 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington, NJ [4 - 7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market – Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA [4 - 8 pm]
• Beer Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Beer Tasting: Stoudts Brewing Company – The Washington House, 136 N. Main Street , Sellersville, PA [5 - 10 pm]
• Barrel Tappings @ Triumph Brewing Co. – Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square, New Hope, PA [6 - 7 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College, 2100 Lower State Rd, Doylestown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• First Friday in Perkasie – Perkasie, PA
• First Fridays in Doylestown – Doylestown, PA 18901
• Pigs & Pinot on the Patio – Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ [7 - 10 pm]

Saturday, May 4:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market – W. State & Hamilton St., Doylestown, PA [7 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market – Wrightstown Twp. Municipal Bldg (parking lot), 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stangl Factory Farmers’ Market – Stangl Factory, 12 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 2 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [9 am - 4 pm]
• Intermediate Level Beekeeping: Spring Management – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [9 am - 4 pm]
• 44th Annual Peddler’s Village Strawberry Festival – Peddlers Village, Route 202, Lahaska, PA [10 am - 6 pm]
• Tour the Farm & Greenhouse – The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College, 2100 Lower State Rd, Doylestown, PA [11 am - 12:30 pm]
• First Saturday – Newtown, Pa [11 am - 4 pm]
• Wine Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• Mixology Weekends – Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [1 - 5 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3-7 pm]
• Roast Beef Dinner – Riegelsville Fire Company, 333 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, PA [4 - 7 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Spring Wine Dinner: An Evening in Provence – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road , Washington Crossing, PA [7 - 9:30 pm]

Sunday, May 5:

• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
• 44th Annual Peddler’s Village Strawberry Festival – Peddlers Village, Route 202, Lahaska, PA [10 am - 6 pm]
• Cinco de Mayo Celebration – Villa Milagro Vineyards, 33 Warren Glen Rd, Finesville, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Spring Wine Trail: Northern Tour – Various wineries, Bucks County [12 - 5 pm]
• Pairing Wine and Cheese – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 3:30 pm]
• Jazzy Sundays – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [2 - 5 pm]

Monday, May 6:

• Burger Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Monday Wine Special plus Surf & Turf – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [5:30 - 10 pm]
• Half Price Burgers Night – Continental Tavern, 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA [6 - 10 pm]
• Mondays with Michael: Flatbreads – Vintage Grille, 3617 Ferry Rd , Fountainville, PA [7 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, May 7:

• Cheesesteak Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Wings and Yuengs – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Tastings – Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
• Gluten Free / Healthy Living Support Group – Medicine in Balance, 940 Town Center Drive, Suite F-90, Langhorne, PA [7 - 9 pm]

Wednesday, May 8:

• Pierogy Wednesdays – St. Anne Ukrainian, Warrington [9 am - 12 pm]
• Specialty Keg Tappings – Isaac Newton’s, 18 South State Street, Newtown, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Wings & Yuengs – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Kids Eat Free Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Burger Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Supper Club – The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St, New Hope, PA [6 - 10 pm]

Thursday, May 9:

• Community Hero Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Mexican Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Emilia-Romagna – Casa Casale, #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

This new BYOB extends the already impressive canopy of the Jean-Marie Lacroix chef family tree, as Ridgway was first known locally for his work with his mentor. He served under Lacroix as a chef in The Fountain Room, then left with him to launch and serve as chef de cuisine for four years at Lacroix’s namesake restaurant in The Rittenhouse Hotel. He then left Philadelphia in 2004, and cooked in restaurants in Atlanta and New York, including two kitchens where he worked closely with Michelin star rated chef/owner, Joël Antunes.

In 2010, Matthew took a break from restaurant kitchens to pursue a passion of his – artisan charcuterie. He came back to Bucks County where he had grown up (his family still lives in Buckingham). Since then his PorcSalt charcuterie products have received acclaim from foodies, gourmet food retailers, critics, and restaurateurs alike.

Last year, Ridgway began renovating the old general store in Rosemont to become the home for the PASS, and a retail store that stocks all his PorcSalt charcuterie products. Teaming with him in the kitchen is long-time colleague Paul Mitchell. The chefs worked side-by-side for years in both The Fountain Room and Lacroix.

The three-course prix fixe menu at the PASS will change frequently to offer an eclectic mix from Ridgway’s French-inspired repertoire. Porcsalt charcuterie will make appearances, but won’t always have starring roles. Ridgway describes the restaurant as, ”like a French routier or roadhouse; we use quality ingredients to elevate simple dishes. The atmosphere is intentionally casual, and the prices are reasonable.”

Dinner will be served Wednesday through Saturday, with plans to soon add an extended brunch on Sundays. The Charcuterie Counter is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. The restaurant is at 88 Kingwood Stockton Road in Rosemont, NJ. You can reach them at 609.961.1887 or at their website. Stay in touch at Matthew’s blog too.

The restaurant is now taking reservations for this first menu, available May 1. Choice of first + second + dessert: $38.50

first

burgundy pizza
red wine bacon, garlic escargot, parsley puree

guitarra pasta a la carbonara

black mushroom bouillon
shaved mushrooms, citrus oil

lacquered sweetbread, pickled asian pear
jicama

marinated mackerel
scallion pancake

second

atlantic fluke
brown butter

lamb steak
coffee vinaigrette

young chicken fra diavolo
sauce charcuterie, toast points

dessert

whiskey tart w/ ice cream

rice pudding

cheese (add $3)

And, wow, is there a lot going on this week, especially this weekend. Looks like the weather will be nice too – sunny and 70°.

This weekend is a biggie. A-Day, the annual agricultural fair put on by students at Delaware Valley College begins today and continues through the weekend. See their website for a full schedule. A great activity for the kids.

Shad Fest 2013 takes place in Lambertville Saturday and Sunday. Lots of fun food vendors and crafts, and shad delicacies.

Farmers Markets. The Ottsville Farmers Market at Linden Hill Gardens begins their season this afternoon at 4 pm and goes until 8 pm. If you haven’t been to this great market, do yourself a favor and put it on your calendar. Great food and vendors, and always something new going on each week. The Doylestown Farmers Market opened last Saturday morning for the season and the Wrightstown Farmers Market will have one more “mini-market” on Saturday. They will begin their regular season next Saturday, May 4.

Beer fans? McCoole’s in Quakertown is holding their bi-annual Beer Festival this Saturday from 12 – 9 pm. Also, looking ahead, Saturday, May 11 is the 3rd Annual Washington Crossing Brewfest. Tickets are available here.

Or do you prefer wine? Old York Cellars in Ringoes, NJ is celebrating the season with a Vine to Wine Spring Festival all weekend including live music, arts and crafts vendors, food and treats, kids activities, hey rides, bee tours, and, of course, wine. Shady Brook Farm in Yardley and (next Friday) The Market at Del Val begin their Friday evening Wine Concert Series that goes all summer long. Music and local wine, and a great way to wind down on Fridays.

Local food. Check out Local Live 2013 at Puck in Doylestown. The Doylestown Food Co-op is holding this party full of local music, kids’ activities and locally-sourced food prepared by chef Michael Kanter. Proceeds benefit the Doylestown Food Co-op which is working to open a bricks-and-mortar store, selling locally grown and produced food. For more information on membership, click here.

Community meals. So much this weekend! I’ll put in a plug for my local firehouse in Wycombe, the Lingohocken Fire Company, which is hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast this Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm and celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Yours truly will be waiting on tables too. Wycombe is just 1 mile down Township Line Road from the intersection on Route 413 where the Pineville Tavern sits. Haycock Fire Company is also having a breakfast this Sunday. On Saturday, the Upper Black Eddy Fire Company is putting on a Pennsylvania Dutch Dinner and next week, on Thursday, the Solebury United Methodist Church will be serving up their annual Ham Supper.

Chickens. Ever thought about raising a few chickens in your backyard? (I bet you didn’t know that it’s legal to do that in Doylestown Borough). The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance is presenting the program Raising Chickens in Your Backyard at the Bryn Gweled Homestead Community Center in Southhampton, Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Visit some homes in this intentional community where residents are raising birds and then attend a question and answer session at their community center. For more information, go to the BCFA website.

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely Spring weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, April 26:

• A-Day – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [12 - 5 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market – Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA [4 - 8 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 -8 pm]
• Friday Freestyle Flights of Wine – The Washington House, 136 N. Main Street , Sellersville, PA [5 - 10 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series – Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA [6 - 9 pm]

Saturday, April 27:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market – W. State & Hamilton St., Doylestown, PA [7 am - 12 pm]
• Earth Day at the Farm! – Snipes Farm, 890 West Bridge Street, Morrisville, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
• Stangl Factory Farmers’ Market – Stangl Factory, 12 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 2 pm]
• Stockton Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9:00 am - 4 pm]
• A-Day – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [9 am - 5 pm]
• Wrightstown Winter Farmers’ Market – Wrightstown Twp. Municipal Bldg (parking lot), 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [10 - 11 am]
• Spring Brunch II – Kitchen Garden Cooking School, 527 Center Hill Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA [10 am - 1:30 pm]
• Vine to Wine Spring Festival – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Wine Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• McCoole’s Beer Festival – McCoole’s, 4 S. Main Street (Main & Broad Streets), Quakertown, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Shad Festival 2013 – Lambertville, NJ [12:30 - 5:30 pm]
• Cupcakes & Cocktails – Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [1 - 5 pm]
• Pennsylvania Dutch Dinner – Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Lane, Upper Black Eddy, PA [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting – New Hope Beverage, 6542-K1 Lower York Rd (Logan Square), New Hope, PA [3 - 7 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• 18th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Fantasy – Tyler Hall, Bucks County Community College, Swamp Road, Newtown, PA [6 - 9 pm]

Sunday, April 28:

• Firehouse Breakfast – Haycock Fire Company, 850 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [8 am - 12 pm]
• Pancake Breakfast – Lingohocken Fire Company, Mill Creek Rd. & Washington Ave, Wycombe, Pa [8 am - 1 pm]
• A-Day – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [9 am - 5 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
• Vine to Wine Spring Festival – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Shad Festival 2013 – Lambertville, NJ [12:30 - 5:30 pm]
• Local Live 2013 – Puck, 1 Printers Alley, Doylestown, PA [2 - 5 pm]
• Jazzy Sundays – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [2 - 5 pm]

Monday, April 29:

• Burger Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Monday Wine Special plus Surf & Turf – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [5:30 - 10 pm]
• Half Price Burgers Night – Continental Tavern, 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA [6 - 10 pm]

Tuesday, April 30:

• Cheesesteak Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Wings and Yuengs – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Tastings – Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]

Wednesday, May 1:

• Specialty Keg Tappings – Isaac Newton’s, 18 South State Street, Newtown, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Wings & Yuengs – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Kids Eat Free Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Burger Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Schnitzel Night – United German Hungarians Club, 4666 Bristol Rd, Bensalem, PA [5:30 - 7:30 pm]
• Supper Club – The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St, New Hope, PA [6 - 10 pm]
• Raising Chickens in Your Backyard – Bryn Gweled Homestead Community Center, 1805 Meadow Road, Southhampton, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]

Thursday, May 2:

• Family-style Ham Supper – Solebury United Methodist Church, 2536 Aquetong Rd., New Hope, PA [4 - 7 pm]
• Community Hero Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Mexican Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Emilia-Romagna – Casa Casale, #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

I’m talking about buying grass-fed beef instead of the industrially produced stuff you get in the supermarket. We’re fortunate in Bucks County to have several sources of pasture-raised beef, fed no antibiotics or hormones, munching only on various kinds of grasses and raised pretty much organically. I’ve learned a lot about meat since then, talking to grass-fed beef farmers like Henry Rosenberger of Tussock Sedge Farm in Blooming Glen, Nevada Mease of Meadow Brook Farms in Springtown, and pork farmers Joanna and Marc Michini of Purely Farm in Pipersville (see our previous post). At area farmers’ markets you’ll also find nearby grass-fed cattle farmers like Dennis and Carol Dorney of Naturally@Holben Valley Farm and John Lima of Lima Family Farms, who both sell at the Wrightstown Farmers Market.

But why buy grass-fed beef, especially if it costs more? There are several reasons, and if it means we eat meat a little less, well so be it. (Although truth be told, we’re still eating a good amount).

Let’s start with health reasons. A 2010 study published in the Nutrition Journal, showed that grass-fed animal products are higher in beta carotene (Vitamin A), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important in reducing cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and other life threatening diseases. Grass-fed beef is lower in fat, cholesterol and calories. Another benefit is the absence of antibiotics and growth hormones, used extensively by industrial cattle operations.

Grazing on pasture is also better for the animals. It’s the way nature intended them to live. Cattle were designed to walk and eat at the same time, and to eat grasses and plants. Not grain. Cattle are not genetically built to digest large amounts of grain, but those raised in CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations – doesn’t that sound appetizing?) are fed a steady diet of corn and soy to fatten them up faster. In addition, research by the USDA has shown that cattle switched from grain-based diets to hay were less likely to shed harmful E. coli.

Henry Rosenberger once told me that when he was feeding his cattle grain in the winter, the weights of the newly born calves was so high that he almost always had to call a veterinarian in to help with difficult births. Once he stopped feeding them grain, the calves’ weights returned to normal. Now the cows don’t need any help at all. Henry comes out in the morning and finds the new calf nursing by its mother.

Jessica Moore learned all this too, and decided that her family was going all grass-fed. But being a busy, working mom, she wanted the convenience of buying in larger quantities. Why not eliminate one less thing from the shopping list? She did research, met local cattle farmers, made sure they were raising the animals right (no antibiotics, no growth stimulants, free range and 100% grass-fed) and proceeded to buy a whole cow. That was seven years ago, and now she runs Philly CowShare, a business enabling consumers to buy grass-fed meat in larger quantities for convenience and ease. Sign up with Philly CowShare and you can buy an eighth of a cow, a quarter of a cow, a half of a cow or the whole shebang. It’s all pasture-raised and all the farmers have been vetted.

Moore has a background in computer science and web development. But she wanted to leave the corporate world to raise her children and so she decided to start Philly CowShare in 2011, running it out of her Philadelphia home. The first year her goal was to sell 10 cows. She sold 55. Clearly she had tapped into something. Last year, the business sold 120 cows.

“We provide the link between the farmer and the consumer,” Moore explains. For the most part, farmers want to farm, not market, she says. And consumers don’t have time to run around to farms, making sure they are raising the animals well. But they want the healthier meat, the connection to the farmer and the convenience of buying in bulk.

The meat is raised well, that’s for sure. But it also tastes good. “We have treated beef like a commodity in this country,” says Moore, “and it always tastes the same.” Americans get distracted by fat, as if that is the taste of meat. “But it is more like cheese. Different parts of the world create different kinds of cheeses, and the same goes for beef,” she says. You need to understand genetics, Moore explains, and it’s very different for grass-fed beef. Tenderness is about the genetics and the timing – knowing when it’s time for the cow to go to slaughter. As these farmers mature, she explains, there will be more talk about the taste profile of the meat, more talk about the taste of the grass. “We’ll have more sophisticated language to describe the taste of the meat.”

Philly CowShare buys its meats from six local small family farms, including Tussock Sedge Farm here in Bucks County. Breeds include Black and Red Angus, Devon, Irish Black and Scottish Highlander. Each cut can be traced back to a single cow from a single farm. And all of Philly CowShare’s farmers agree to a strict protocol including no use of antibiotics, no growth hormones, no grains (hay-fed in winter) and rotationally grazed on pasture. They also want all cattle to be at least 18 months of age before going to market.

The beef is processed by Smucker Meats, a family-owned, USDA inspected butcher in Lancaster County. There it is dry-aged for two weeks. Moore buys the meat on the hanging ring after slaughter and issues all the cutting instructions. The meat is labeled, put on the truck and delivered to one of two cold storage facilities, one in Philadelphia and one near the processor. It is frozen, cryovaced, labeled and put in boxes. Delivery is to your door.

So how does this all work? You can buy the meat online in different size “bundles.” For instance, the eighth “CowShare” bundle includes eleven steaks, including Delmonico, T-Bone, Porterhouse, Sirloin and Filet Mignon (there is more). Five types of roasts, ground beef, ground beef patties, chipsteak, cubed beef and soup bones. Each bundle includes cuts from across the cow.

All in all, it is 43 lbs. of meat for $410. That’s about $9.50 per pound but it is evened out across all cuts of meat. They recommend the eighth CowShare for smaller families. They even show you how much freezer space you will need (75% of a standard-size freezer or 25% of a small chest freezer). It’s about six months of meals, at 2 lbs. of meat per week. Because they only send cows to the butcher upon receiving an order, the process from ordering to delivery can take as long as 4-5 weeks, including the two weeks of dry aging. Philly CowShare delivers to most of the Greater Philadelphia region but check that you are in their delivery area (Moore assures me that all of Bucks County is).

They also encourage group buying. In this way, delivery costs are cut. For example, pull together five friends, each getting an eighth CowShare, have it delivered to one place and the price drops to $389.50 per bundle, a 5% savings. They do all the individual packaging so each party just picks up their boxes.

Philly CowShare is an innovative way to sell grass-fed beef and certainly adds convenience if you are ready to make the commitment. The website is very well organized and explains everything in detail with easy to understand graphics.

One final note on cost – the reason many people give for not buying grass-fed beef more often. With industrially raised cattle, the animals are sent to market at 14 – 16 months after having been fattened up with grains and hormones. Fed grains like corn, which are heavily subsidized by the US government.

Grass-fed cows take 18-20 months to mature for slaughter – and their feed is not subsidized by the US government. More hay, more fuel, more work on the part of the farmers over a longer period of time. But in the end you have to decide which is best for you and your family. The American Grassfed Association has a good website to learn more about pasture-raised animals, including an informative Meat Terminology Primer. Check out your local farmers’ market too or contact the farms mentioned above directly. Good eating!

But…many local farmers are using greenhouses and hoop houses to extend the seasons and you may be surprised at what you will find at area farmers’ markets. I just received an email from Gravity Hill Farm in Titusville saying they will be at the Stockton Market with arugula, chives, radishes, spinach and four varieties of kale: Toscano/Lacinato, Siberian, and White and Red Russian. The Doylestown Farmers’ Market begins the season this Saturday with baby head lettuce, spinach, bok choy, salad mix, dandelion, endive, spring onions, radishes, sorrel, miners lettuce, braising greens, watercress, mustard greens, arugula, kale, Swiss chard, radishes, scallions, sweet pea shoots, spring garlic, ramps, onions, mushrooms, potatoes, fresh herbs, vegetable and herb plants as well as flowering plants. The Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market will have their last “winter” market on Sunday in Flemington and the Ottsville Farmers Market begins their regular season next Friday, April 26 (4 – 8 pm). Yippee.

Road trip! Sunday is looking to be a nice day. Start out with any one of five firehouse or church breakfasts here in Bucks (Perkasie, Riegelsville, Ottsville, Chalfont and Silverdale – details below). Then drive over to Stockton and stroll around the Stockton Market. Afterwards, head over to WoodsEdge Wools Farm for their Llama Shearing Fest (you heard me right), also near Stockton. Finally, go back to town and have a Roast Beef Dinner at the Stockton Fire Company. You might want to do some walking on the tow path too. Work off some of those calories.

Sweets for the sweet. Saturdays in April the Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room in Lahaska will be serving Cupcakes & Cocktails. For $8 you’ll get to sample three wine drinks and cocktails, munch on a delicious cupcake and take home a keepsake glass. Coming up next Saturday, April 27 is the Chocolate Lovers’ Fantasy, an annual Bucks event that celebrates all things chocolate and raises much needed money for A Woman’s Place, an organization that provides services for victims of domestic violence. The event will take place at Tyler Hall on the campus of the Bucks County Community College in Newtown. See their website for more details.

Woof! On Tuesday evening, April 23, stop by Chambers in Doylestown for the Celebrity Bartender Event for Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs. The organization provides volunteer therapy dog teams to promote literacy and to comfort elementary school children who have autism, multiple disabilities and other emotional, psychological and physical challenges. Drinking for a great cause!

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a super weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, April 19:

• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 -8 pm]
• Doylestown Restaurant Week – Over 25 restaurants, Doylestown, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Beer & Ballet – Roxey Ballet Company — Canal Studios, 243 North Union Street , Lambertville, NJ [6:30 - 9 pm]

Saturday, April 20:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market – W. State & Hamilton St., Doylestown, PA [7 am - 12 pm]
• Stangl Factory Farmers’ Market – Stangl Factory, 12 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 2 pm]
• Stockton Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9:00 am - 4 pm]
• Intermediate Level Beekeeping: Spring Management – Delaware Valley College, 700 E Butler Ave Doylestown, PA [9 am - 4 pm]
• Small Bites from Around the World – Kitchen Garden Cooking School, 527 Center Hill Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA [10 am - 1:30 pm]
• WINE 101 from Vine to Glass – Alba Vineyard, 269 County Road 627, Milford, NJ [10:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Wine Tasting – Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• Cupcakes & Cocktails – Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [1 - 5 pm]
• Pennsylvania Dutch Dinner – Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Lane, Upper Black Eddy, PA [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting – New Hope Beverage, 6542-K1 Lower York Rd (Logan Square), New Hope, PA [3 - 7 pm]
• Music & Merlot – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Doylestown Restaurant Week – Over 25 restaurants, Doylestown, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Lumberville General Store Supper Club – Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road, Lumberville, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• April in Vienna Gala for Fox Chase Cancer Center – Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Rd, Ivyland, PA [6 - 10 pm]

Sunday, April 21:

• Breakfast – Perkasie Fire Co., Fifth and Arch Sts., Perkasie, PA [7:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet – St John the Baptist School, 4040 Durham Rd, Ottsville, PA [8 am - 12 pm]
• Buffet Breakfast – Chalfont Fire Co., 101 N. Main St., Chalfont, Pa [8 am - 12:00 pm]
• Breakfast – Riegelsville Fire Company, 333 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, PA [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Breakfast – Silverdale Fire Co, 111 Main Street, Silverdale, PA [8 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
• Colonial Cooking Demonstration – Hibbs House, Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing, PA [10 am - 4 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Winter Market – Dvoor Farm, Route 12 Circle, Flemington, NJ [11 am - 1 pm]
• Roast Beef Dinner – Stockton Fire Co., Mill St, Stockton, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Pairing Wine and Cheese – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [1 - 2:30 pm]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 4 pm]
• Jazzy Sundays – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [2 - 5 pm]

Monday, April 22:

• Burger Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Monday Wine Special plus Surf & Turf – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [5:30 - 10 pm]
• Half Price Burgers Night – Continental Tavern, 2 North Main Street Yardley, PA [6 - 10 pm]
• Rhone Wine Dinner – Vintage Grille, 3617 Ferry Rd , Fountainville, PA [7 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, April 23:

• Cheesesteak Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Wings and Yuengs – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Tastings – Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
• Celebrity Bartender Event for Roxy Reading Therapy Dogs – Chambers Restaurant, 19 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA [7 - 9 pm]

Wednesday, April 24:

• Specialty Keg Tappings – Isaac Newton’s, 18 South State Street, Newtown, PA [12 - 9 pm]
• Wings & Yuengs – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Kids Eat Free Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Burger Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Supper Club – The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St, New Hope, PA [6 - 10 pm]
• Doctor & the Chef: Eating to Boost Your Immunity – Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [7 - 9 pm]

Thursday, April 25:

• Three-for-Thursday – Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Community Hero Night – Wycombe Publick House, 1073 Mill Creek Road, Wycombe, PA [4 - 10 pm]
• Mexican Night – Jamison Grill, 2600 York Road Jamison, PA [5 - 9 pm]
• Under the Tuscan Sun – Casa Casale, #1 and #2 Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]
• Wine & Spirits: Tarot Card Reading & Wine Tasting – Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.