I’ve been to many farmers
market but never one that was inside. The PawtucketWintertime Farmers' Market located at Hope Artiste Village (1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI) was a very pleasant trip.
An early Saturday morning for a college student
but an enjoyable experience. The market was situated inside an industrial brick
looking building and vendors were organized by two long hallways. Each hallway,
one yellow and the other green, contains a vast variety of vendors, an info
table, exterior doors that leads to local food trucks, and these cute little
tomato directional signs.
As I strolled down the corridor, all I smelled
was crisped greens and raw vegetables. Then I spotted candles. Being a big enthusiast on candles, they immediately grabbed my
attention. The vendor that caught my
interest was the Silk Tree Farm table. The table displayed an assorted range of
homemade and natural products that were very neatly displayed.
Silk Tree Farm is a small
farm located in Compton, Rhode Island that specializes in preserving heritage
breed livestock. Along with providing exceptional nurture and care for animals,
owners Cathy and Tom also produce handcrafted soaps, body washes, and soy
candles. Many of their products include fresh and pure goat milk from their own
Nigerian dwarf goats. Silk Tree Farm prides themselves in sustainability,
preservation, and heritage foods. One of their most popular product lines is
there goat milk soaps and body washes. Beginning with milking the goat and ending
with a beautiful handmade bar of soap, everything is done on the farm, by hand,
and using only natural essential oils.
Making my way through the green hallway I was
enticed by free samples from a pickle vendor. I tasted a spicy dill pickle from
Fox Point Pickling Company. The pickle was amazing. It began as a regular pickle, but the spices
brought it to life. What I loved most was that the flavor didn't immediately go
away, the pepper blend sat on your tongue so you could relish the flavors.
Fox Point Pickling Company
specializes in handmade pickles. Fox Point uses fresh produce and a unique
spice blend to turn regular cucumbers into delicious pickles. While owner Zared (aka Ziggy), doesn't grow his own cucumbers, he uses only garden fresh produce
from local Rhode Island Farms. After attaining the cucumbers, he pickles them
in his unique process using his exclusive spice mixtures.
Fun Fact: Ziggy has created
jar openers in the shape of a jar that are re-purposed from tires.
Very different in products but similar in practice. These
two companies are committed to using only the freshest ingredients in their products
and living within their resources. They
both offer great products, at great prices, and empower the ideals of using only what is needed. If you don’t believe me, go check them out for yourself.
~Talia Alexander
Follow us on twitter @BryantMKT421
Silk Tree Farm http://www.silktreefarm.com/
Fox Point Pickling Company http://www.foxpointpickles.com/
