This Sunday, September 12th, the Bucks County Symphony hosts A Symphony of Flavors, their third annual wine and food pairing event, at the beautiful Prallsville Mills in Stockton, NJ. A specially selected group of “boutique wines” will be matched with dishes created by some of the best local chefs. Marnie Old, Philadelphia based wine author, educator, and sommelier, will provide expert commentary at the Patron Party, and will discuss current trends in wine at the main tasting event.

Participating restaurants include Café at Rosemont in Rosemont, NJ, The Waterwheel Restaurant in Doylestown, PA, Jake’s Restaurant in Flemington, NJ, Jack’s Roadhouse in Lahaska, PA, Erini Restaurant in Ewing, NJ, Maize Restaurant in Perkasie, PA, Vine & Fig Tree Bistro in Doylestown, PA and Cal’s Comfort Café, Milford, NJ. Bucks County Biscotti in Perkasie and The Coffee Scoop in Pipersville will provide dessert and coffee. The event wine sponsor is Central Liquors in Flemington, NJ. Proceeds from the event benefit the Bucks County Symphony. The evening begins at 3:30 pm with an afternoon limited admission Patron Party followed by the main Wine and Food Pairing Event, starting at 5:00 P.M. Tickets are $75 per person for the main event. For more information, please see their website.

Next weekend on Sunday, September 19th you’ve got a hard choice. There are TWO farm to table dinners in Bucks County and one in Hunterdon, all with great food and chefs. Zone 7, the local food distributor, is partnering with Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury to host a delicious dinner from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Mark Miller and his team from Hamilton’s Grill Room will showcase the best offerings of the farm, with a strong emphasis on Manoff ’s fruits and vegetables, in a special four-course meal with complimentary wines specifically chosen to accompany each course from Crossing Vineyards & Winery in Washington Crossing, PA. The Dinners On The Farm series, which combines behind-the-scenes farm tours with fresh and seasonal meals prepared by luminary local chefs, will host the final dinner in this year’s series in October at Blooming Glen Farm in Perkasie, PA with Chef Vincent Peterson of Kindle Café in Lambertville, NJ. Tickets are $135 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.freshfromzone7.com.

Next choice? Equally tempting. How about a farm to table dinner at None Such Farms, featuring their famous farm-raised beef and farm-grown produce, all prepared by Chef Max Hansen? Al Fresco on the Farm will take place on Sunday, September 19, from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Check out the wonderful menu online. Tickets are $125 per person, and proceeds will benefit the Food Pantry of Fisherman’s Mark in Lambertville and the Doylestown Food Pantry. To purchase tickets, stop in at None Such Farm Market or call them at 215.794.5201, ext. 2.

Finally, also next Sunday, the Acme Screening Room, which shows interesting and fun movies in Lambertville year around, is hosting a farm to table dinner and vacation auction at the Chimney Hill Estate in Lambertville. Dinner will be prepared by Chef Chris Georgett using seasonal ingredients donated by local farms, and will include entrée (meat & vegetarian option) and desert provided by The Chocolate Box (it’s also BYOB). The event takes place from 4 pm to 7:30 pm. The highlight will be the auction including vacation packages in Lake Tahoe, Myrtle Beach. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at door You can buy tickets at this website.

And that’s just September. I didn’t mention the great event occurring at Linden Hill Gardens in Ottsville on September 25th because, well, it’s sold out. I didn’t want you to feel bad. Chef, architect, and local restaurant icon Jim Hamilton, of Hamilton’s Grill Room, has been working with Kristen Perry, of The Kitchen Potager at Linden Hill Gardens, to build an outdoor, earthen oven. On that Saturday he’ll be conducting one of his famous “Cooking Class Dinners.” One person arrives at 2:30 pm for the class and dinner preparation, the other person comes at 6:30 pm as the guest for dinner in the lovely barn at Linden Hill. When I chatted with Jim at the Pineville Tavern last month, he was really excited. He loves doing the classes, especially with the outdoor oven. Hopefully Kristen will schedule another similar event next year. Keep an eye on her website or email her at kristin@lindenhillgardens.com for more information about future events, including another ”class-dinner” in October. 

If I’ve left any events out that you know of, please let me know. Just email us at info@buckscountytaste.com.

Related posts:

1. Farm-to-Table…to mouth
2. Getting local food on the local table
3. Eating for charity

A big heads-up – the 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair starts on Wednesday, August 18th and goes through Sunday, August 22nd. It’s kind of our local county fair, and if you’ve never been, go. The food is…so-so, but the chicken dinner is a great deal (see last year’s post).

Ah, but this weekend. A little cooler, maybe some rain (okay by me). And so much going on. Where do I start? How about with wine…?

Check out the many events at local wineries every weekend. Every Friday evening, enjoy Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts at The Market by Shady Brook at Del Val College (6 – 9 pm) or the companion event at Shady Brook Farm’s location in Yardley, also music and also 6 – 9 pm. Wine Tasting for Singles happens at Crossing Vineyards this Friday evening, as does their popular Summer Music Series, where you can picnic, sip wine and enjoy great music. For details see our full Food Events in Bucks County calendar.

On Saturday, be part of history (hopefully) at The Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast also at Crossing Vineyards. Thousands of people in more than 50 wineries across Pennsylvania will join the toastmaster, racing legend Mario Andretti, in an attempt to set a world record for the largest wine tasting ever conducted. The current record of 17,429 participants was set by more than 400 pubs across the U.K. in 2009. Entry tickets are $5.00 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Fund to Benefit Children & Youth. The event begins at 3:30, with the toast taking place at 4:00 pm under the watchful eyes of folks from the Guinness Book of World Records. There’ll be music and wine for the toast, including a commemorative glass for you to keep.

Every weekend, Phillips’ Fine Wines in Stockton holds beer tastings on Friday afternoons and wine tastings on Saturday afternoons (go to the Stockton Market first, then go get a sip or two!). Or ride the Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing on the historic New Hope-Ivyland Railroad on Saturday or Sunday this weekend (5 – 7 pm). Listen to Dixie Land music by the vines, too, at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes, NJ, on Saturday afternoon from 1 – 4 pm.

Sunday also brings two more wine events. Music Under the Arbor takes place at Alba Vineyards in Milford, NJ in the afternoon (lunch at Lovin’ Oven in Frenchtown, then up to the vineyard?). Or maybe you need to learn more about wine first? Take A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting at Crossing Vineyards Sunday afternoon.

Peaches, peaches, peaches at Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury. Come to Manoff’s for their annual Peach Festival, including hay rides, peach ice cream making and wonderful yellow and white peaches. Yum. 

And although it isn’t strictly about food, check out the 1st Annual Newtown Music Fest on Sunday, August 15th at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley. From noon to 10 p.m., the Newtown Corporation and Cambridge Sound Studios of Newtown will present a dozen bands along with food and beverages from Newtown restaurants, including the Temperance House, Joey G’s and the Green Parrot. Several Bucks County wineries will also be there selling wine by the glass and by the bottle.

As for farm markets and what is available this week, well, just about anything you can imagine. It’s August! All of the markets are listed below. Go check out a new one, and see what you find. Let me know where your favorite vendors are, and why.

For calendar details, read more here…

For more details on any of these events, check our Food Events in Bucks County calendar. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter too for more frequent updates. Have a safe and savory weekend.

Friday, August 13th:
Forecast – Scattered thunderstorms, 79°

• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [11 am - 7 pm]
• Goschenhoppen Folk Festival, Perkiomenville [12 - 8 pm]
• Warrington Farmers’ Market @ Valley Square, Warrington [3 - 6 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Friday Happy Hour @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Spaghetti Dinner @ Delaware Valley Fire Co., Erwinna [5:30 - 7:30 pm]
• Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 9 pm]
• Summer Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Barbara Trent @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [7 - 11 pm]
• Bob Egan @ Bowman’s Tavern, New Hope [8 pm-12 am]

Saturday, August 14th:
Forecast – Sunny, 83°

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am - 12 pm]
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, Telford [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 3 pm]
• Peach Festival @ Manoff Market Gardens, Solebury [9:30 am - 4:30 pm]
• Goschenhoppen Folk Festival, Perkiomenville [10 - 6 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Music In The Vineyards @ Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• Second Saturdays in New Hope [3 - 9 pm]
• Chicken BBQ Dinner @ Bensalem Presbyterian Church, Bensalem [3:30 - 4:30 pm]
• The Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast, Washington Crossing [3:30 - 5:30 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Supper & Live Jazz by Kindle Cafe, Lambertville [6 - 9 pm]

Sunday, August 15th:
Forecast – Isolated Thunderstorms, 83°

• Breakfast Buffet @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., Plumsteadville [7 am - 12 pm]
• Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Yoga+Brunch by Kindle Cafe, Lambertville [9 - 11:30 am]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am - 3 pm]
• Newtown MusicFest, Yardley [12 - 10 pm]
• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration, Morrisville [1 - 4 pm]
• Music Under the Arbor @ Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [2 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]

Monday, August 16th:
Forecast – Isolated Thunderstorms, 85°

• 94 Cents Cookie Night @ Chubby’s Dairy Barn, Plumsteadville [6 - 9 pm]
• Sweet Corn and Tantalizing Tomatoes, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, August 17th:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Beach Bash, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]
• Tomato Canning Class, Doylestown [7 - 9:30 pm]

Wednesday, August 18th:

• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 10 pm]
• American Legion Meals on Wednesdays, Quakertown [11:30 am - 9 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Benefit @ La Stalla, Newtown [6 - 9 pm]
• Tomato Canning Class, Doylestown [7 - 9:30 pm]

Thursday, August 19th:

• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 10 pm]
• Capital City Market, Trenton, NJ [11 am - 2 pm]
• Healthier Hearts Farmers’ Market, Trenton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Yardley [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [3:30 - 7 pm]
• Springtown Farmers’ Market, Springtown [4 - 7 pm]
• 94 Cent Ice Cream Cone Night @ Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream, Yardley [5 - 9 pm]
• Lobster Night @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [6 - 10 pm]
• Sizzling Summer Grilling – Fish and Seafood, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Related posts:

1. The holidays come to Bucks County
2. Peachy-Keen Weekend
3. September farm-to-table dinners

Check it out. The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, in lieu of their regular monthly meetings, “meets” at local farms once a month during the summer, hosting a potluck full of great food. We went to our first one last summer at Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury. It was fascinating…and delicious. Everyone brought seasonal, yummy dishes, and we chatted until the sun started to set. Then Amy and Gary Manoff walked us around their farm and we learned how they produce their wonderful fruit – berries, peaches, apples, to name a few – as well as some of the hardships.

This summer’s potluck farm tours start tonight, Wednesday, June 2nd. Even if you can’t make it for the potluck, come later for the tour. The potluck begins at 6:30 pm. Bring your own place settings, beverage and dish to share (8-10 servings). Folding chairs or blankets may come in handy as well, depending on the turnout. The farm tour begins at 7:30 pm.

Here’s the line-up for the summer.

• Wednesday, June 2nd: Gravity Hill Farm, an organic farm in Titusville, NJ (just over the bridge)
• POSTPONED TO JULY 14TH Wednesday, July 7th: Sunnyslope Farm, who raise all natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef and chicken products, on Lurgan Road in New Hope, PA
• Wednesday, August 4th: Milk House Farm Market, a family farm selling produce and cage-free eggs, on Woodhill Road in Newtown, PA 
• Wednesday, September 1st: WoodsEdge Wools Farm in Stockton, NJ, a farm that breeds llamas and alpacas.

Mark your calendars for these fun, fascinating, feel-good farm visits!

UPDATED July 6, 2010

 Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

Related posts:

1. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens
2. 'Tis the Season

Amy Manoff suggests keeping the apples as cold as possible without freezing. Manoff’s has 3 varieties left for sale – Fuji, Pink Lady and Gold Rush – and they are all good “keepers,” says Amy. Solebury Orchards has Keepsake (the parent variety to Honey Crisp), Fuji, Goldrush, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn Apples for sale.

See their web sites for store hours. And check out Amy Manoff’s blog about life on the farm. Nice pictures and a feel for what the seasons bring.

Related posts:

1. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

For starters, what better way to get into the “holiday spirit” than sipping some spirits? The Bucks County Wine Trail is hosting a Holiday Celebration at all Bucks County wineries. Stop by Buckingham Valley Vineyards for some of their just-released Ruby Port or Champagne (officially, “sparkling wine”). I just had some recently at Andre’s Wine and Cheese Shop in Doylestown. More of a semi-dry Champagne and quite delicious. Need I say what a great gift it would make? Crossing Vineyards and Wycombe Vineyards also have some great activities in store for the weekend. Many of the wineries have special seasonal wines – like Spice Wines – just in time for the holidays.

Farmers’ Markets? You betcha. Stockton’s Indoor Farmers’ Market is off to a great start. They are open both Saturday and Sunday (see the Food Events in Bucks County for more details). The Wrightstown Farmers’ Market is having a mini-winter market this Saturday, pre-orders appreciated. And Parkside Orchid Nursery in Ottsville is hosting an indoor Holiday Farmers’ Market with local gift items for sale. The Kitchen Potager will be there with beautiful gift baskets of all local products. They flew off the shelves at last week’s Holiday Market at Linden Hill Gardens. Stop by Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury too at their Holiday Open House. Sip some cider and get the last of the season’s apples.

In addition to the above, several firehouses are hosting breakfasts, and there are cookie sales going on, seemingly everywhere!

Hanukkah begins tonight and continues for eight days, through next Saturday. Look for my upcoming post on some delectable potato pancakes (latkes). Get some homemade applesauce from Manoff’s to go with it!

Have a wonderful, warm weekend. For more details on any of the events below, please click on this link: Food Events in Bucks County.

Friday, December 11th:

• Spaghetti Dinner @ Delaware Valley Fire Co., 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Erwinna, PA. Santa Claus will be there!
• Kindle Cafe Supper Club at Rojo’s Roastery, 7:30 – 9:00 pm, Lambertville, NJ.

Saturday, December 12th:

• Holiday Celebration - Bucks County Wine Trail, Various Bucks County Wineries.
• Cookie Sale @ West Swamp Mennonite Church, 9 am – 12 pm, Quakertown, PA.
• Cookie Walk & Fruit/Nutroll pick-up, 9 am – 12 pm, St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, Warrington, PA.
• Indoor Stockton Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 3 pm, Stockton, NJ.
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Mini-Market, 10 – 11 am, Wrightstown, PA.
• Indoor Holiday Farmer’s Market, 10 am – 2 pm, Parkside Orchid Nursery, Ottsville, PA.
• Holiday Open House @ Manoff Market Gardens, 10 am – 5:30 pm, Solebury, PA.
• Holiday Wine Festival @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery , 12 – 6 pm, Washington Crossing, PA.
• Herbal Holidays @ Tinicum Herb Barn, 1 – 4 pm, 610-847-8452, Erwinna, PA.
• Outdoor Chanukah Menorah Lighting & Potluck, 5 – 7 pm, Bristol Jewish Center, Bristol Borough, PA.
• Colonial Holiday Dinner, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, The Moland House (Washington’s Headquarters), Hartsville, PA.

Sunday, December 13th:

• Holiday Celebration – Bucks County Wine Trail, Various Bucks County Wineries.
• Breakfast @ Upper Black Eddy Fire Company, 7:30 am – 12 pm, Upper Black Eddy, PA.
• Breakfast Buffet @ Richland Twp Fire & Rescue, 8 am – 1 pm, Quakertown, PA.
• Breakfast Buffet @ Silverdale Fire Company, 8 am – 1 pm, Silverdale, PA.
• Indoor Stockton Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 3 pm, Stockton, NJ.
• Sugarplum/Nutcracker Tea @ Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum & Gift Emporium, 11 am – 3 pm, Chalfont, PA.
• Holiday Wine Festival @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery , 12 – 6 pm, Washington Crossing, PA.
• Herbal Holidays @ Tinicum Herb Barn, 1 – 4 pm, Erwinna, PA.
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 2 pm, Washington Crossing, PA.

Related posts:

1. Tasting and touring Bucks County
2. Bucks Food Calendar: August 12, 2010
3. Bucks Food Calendar: April 30, 2010

Autumn means more than pumpkins at Bucks County farms and farm markets; it also means a parade of apples that change weekly, each with its own personality and flavor.

With enticing names such as Zestar, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Macoun, Mutsu, Keepsake, Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, Jonathan, Empire, McIntosh, Winesap, Stayman, Cameo, Sun Crisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Gold Rush and Granny Smith, the season marches forward.

At local farms you can find varieties with more flavor and crunch than most sold in supermarkets, with the added environmental bonus that no fossil fuels were used to bring them here to Bucks. Not only are they better for eating and are fresher, but they make terrific pies, cakes, cobblers, crisps and applesauce because they have so much flavor and texture.

Amy and Gary Manoff, who own Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury, are among the local farmers enjoying a bountiful apple crop this season. Partly because of the rain, the crop is large, and the apples especially juicy.

With pie season upon us, Amy finds herself reaching for sweet Jonagolds, with a few tart apples thrown in give her pie added flavor. For baking whole apples with a little butter, sugar and cinnamon, she recommends tart Staymans, an all-round great baking apple. For those who like a sweeter taste, she suggest Jonagolds, which also hold their shape well in the oven when baked whole.

For sauces she likes to start with Golden Delicious, a sweet apple, and add in some Mutsu, Winesap, Keepsake or Fuji. “That way you don’t have to add sugar,” she said. Using cider in place of water – the Manoffs began pressing their own this week – gives applesauce more flavor and depth.

No matter what you are making, you can use any variety apple you like to eat, for baking or sauce, she said. Some people like to make their pies out of Galas, traditionally a sweet eating apple, she said, which is fine if that’s what they like.

Bucks County has plenty of farms and farm markets that carry freshly harvested apples including Bechdolt’s Orchards in Hellertown, Fairview Farm in Pineville, Penn Vermont Fruit Farm in Bedminster, Solebury Orchards in Solebury, Solly’s Farm Market in Ivyland, Styer Orchards in Langhorne, Tabora Farms in Chalfont and Tall Pines Farm in Rushland.

Manoff Market Gardens
3157 Comfort Road
Solebury, Pa., 18963
215-297-8220

Baked Apples
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
4 Stayman or Jonagold apples
½ cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. cinnamon (or spice of your choice)

HOW TO

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Core apple without removing bottom. Remove seeds and stem but don’t cut all the way through. Stuff each apple with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Place in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15-30 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize and apples are tender. Larger apples may take longer.

Apple Crisp
Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS
3 pounds local apples (mostly tart and a few sweet)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

HOW TO

1. Peel, core and chop the apples; toss in a bowl with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; add to the apples and toss to combine.
2. In another bowl combine flour, sugar and oats. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
3. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish. Spread apple mixture in bottom of baking dish then sprinkle with flour mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or cream.

Related posts:

1. Tidbit: Storing apples for winter
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

Manoff's apples - just in!

Mark and I had the pleasure of being at last night’s potluck and farm tour at Manoff Market Gardens, sponsored by the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance. What a perfect night. As Gary and Amy Manoff walked us through their orchards, the sunset painted the sky and the cool air surrounded us. Be sure to stop by Manoff’s for some peaches and their beautiful and varied apples have started coming in.

Labor Day Weekend Eats…where shall we start? There’s something for everyone.

First off, make sure to stop by your local farm stand or farmers’ market for the cookout. The weekend weather looks bee-u-tee-full. Veggies and fruit that is fresh and wonderful right now – corn, tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplants, onions, and get some peaches before they’re all gone. Linden Hill has their market on Friday afternoons; Doylestown and Wrightstown are Saturday mornings. Catch Springtown’s market on Wednesday afternoons, and Lower Makefield and New Hope on Thursday afternoons (details on our calendar).

The 44th Annual Polish-American Festival takes place all weekend at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Ferry Road in Doylestown. Lots of good lip-smacking Polish food – pierogi, potato placki, grilled kielbasa, golabki, Polish ice, Polish fries and then all the normal fun fair food. Smacznego! (Polish for “Bon Appetit”)

Frenchtown (over on the other side of the river, in Nu Joisey) is hosting their annual RiverFest on Saturday and Sunday. The word is food is going to be great, focusing on fresh, local food and restaurants. Just the way we like it!

Get details on any of these events at our Food Events in Bucks County calendar. Have a safe and sweet weekend.

Related posts:

1. Bucks Food Calendar: September 2, 2010
2. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

The potluck supper begins at 6:30pm and is followed at 7:30pm by the farmer-guided tour of one of the area’s premier small farms. There is no charge and no need to register for the event: just come with a picnic dish to share and your own beverages, eating equipment and chairs.

Manoffs’ is at 3157 Comfort Road (between Laurel and Paxson roads), Solebury, PA 18963. The event is held rain or shine.

Gary and Amy Manoff began farming on Comfort Road in 1984. They are known for their white and yellow peaches and nectarines and 20 different varieties of apples, as well as strawberries, blackberries, melons, pumpkins and flowers. Pick-your-own crops include strawberries and pumpkins. The farm stand, open from spring through January, sells seasonal fruit as well as the jams, butters, peaches and applesauce they make from their own fruit. They also do gift baskets year-round. The whole family participates, and even Hale, the family’s Lab, gets into the act as the official welcoming committee.

For more information, contact Robin Hoy, BCFA executive director, 215.860.7081, ecorobinhood@comcast.net or log on to BucksCountyFoodshedAlliance.org.

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, founded in 2006, is a coalition of farmers, landowners, restaurateurs, educators, environmentalists and consumers working together to foster and expand a comprehensive, local, sustainable food supply in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. General meetings, open to the public, are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Wrightstown Village Library or other area venues of special interest.

Related posts:

1. This summer’s farm tours
2. Tidbits: Healthy Donuts?
3. Labor Day in Bucks County

But…ah, the weekend is here with unseasonably comfortable weather. Tomorrow looks beautiful so get out and enjoy the sunshine and low humidity. Since we now have our Food Events in Bucks County calendar more easily accessible on the site, I won’t be doing as detailed a review of weekend events. Everything you need to know is just one click away now.

Tonight there are several fun events going on. Mark Cosgrove and Friends will be playing at Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing. Throw together a picnic dinner, buy some wine and sit back and enjoy some great blue grass music. Starts at 7 pm.

Brad’s Raw Chips is having another one of its now famous Chip Parties at the R.A.T. Gallery in Gardenville from 7 pm to whenever. Munch, munch, crunch…and it’s good for you too!

Peaches seem to be dominating the weekend. Great peaches are available everywhere. Try the local farmers’ markets as well as these local producers: Bechdolts Orchard (Hellertown), Fairview Farm (Pineville), Lapinski Farm (Dublin), Manoff’s (Solebury), Penn Vermont Fruit Farm (Bedminster), Shady Brook Farm (Yardley), Solebury Orchards (Solebury), Solly’s Farm Market (Ivyland), Styer Orchard (Langhorne), and Tall Pine Farm (Wrightstown).

Two peachy events are also taking place on Sunday. Shady Brook Farm is putting on a Peach Festival as part of their Sunday Funday series, from 12 Noon to 4 pm. There’s also a Peach Festival at the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation from 3 pm to 6 pm in Bristol.

Peddler’s Village is putting on a village-wide Summer Food & Fun Fair & Sidewalk Sale. The Village will have summer foods sizzling on the grill and plenty of live entertainment. It will also be Peddler’s Village First Annual Community Days from noon to 4 pm each day on the Street Road Green, with nonprofit organizations exhibiting and sharing information.

Have a wonderful, safe weekend.

Related posts:

1. Weekend Eats in Bucks County
2. Strawberries, Wine and Thou
3. Bucks Food Calendar: August 12, 2010

Boy, do they look good!

These yellow and white peaches are only around for  a week so be sure to stop by Manoff’s soon.

Manoff Market Gardens
3157 Comfort Rd.
Between Laurel and Paxon Rds.
Solebury, PA 18963

Update from the Manoffs: “We’re picking the Sun Hi and Loring Peaches and more Raritan Rose white peaches, as well as the new White Nectarines and Fantasia Yellow Nectarines. We still have some Donut Peaches available. The Peach Festival is this coming Saturday, August 15th with hayrides, homemade peach ice cream and pies.”

Related posts:

1. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens
2. Peachy-Keen Weekend