Hope you've all been enjoying strawberry season! It's short but sweet, and nearly over. Get out to the markets early to score the berries, and buy in bulk- you can freeze them, make jam, or put them in pies. But not to worry, berry fans- raspberries should begin to appear at the markets any day now. Summer officially begins in just three days, and with it comes a lot of our favorite fruits and vegetables.

As reported in the last newsletter, the American Farmland Trust has begun its annual contest for America's Favorite Farmers Markets. The Downtown State College Farmers' Market and the North Atherton Farmers Market are both participating this year, and you get to vote! Visit the Farmland Trust's website and search for State College to find our markets and cast your vote! The winning market will receive a shipment of tote bags, a frontpage article on Epicurious.com and other prizes. Have you voted yet? While you're there, you can make a donation to the Farmland Trust or request a free "No Farms, No Food" bumper sticker!

Our markets have been receiving a lot of support from the media in recent weeks- StateCollege.com had a wonderful article about buying fresh and local, and our friends at WPSU's Local Food Journey are relentlessly supportive. Recent interviews included Addison Hoffman at Howard's End CSA, who is a vendor at the Tuesday downtown market, and Barrie Moser of Moser's Garden Produce, who is a vendor at all three markets and the President of the Tuesday market. Go watch the interviews, read the articles, and support the efforts of this public project!

What's in season now?
 Berries: Strawberries, Raspberries
Greens: Arugula, Chard, Escarole, Kale, Lettuces, Mustard Greens, Bok Choy, Spinach, Sorrel
Herbs: Basil, Mint
Vegetables: Asparagus (almost over), Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage (chinese), Carrots, Celery, Garlic Scapes, Peas (snap), Peas (snow), Potatoes (new red), Radish, Scallions, Tomatoes (still scarce, but keep your eyes open!), Green Onions, Kohlrabi, Summer Squash

This Week's Featured Recipe: Sorrel and Summer Squash Salad

Within a couple of weeks, we've gone from cool and rainy to hot and sunny! The growing season is well and truly underway now. Watch for more and more of your favorite produce appearing at the markets- over the next couple of weeks we'll see strawberries appear in droves!

In other news, the American Farmland Trust has begun its annual contest for America's Favorite Farmers Markets. The Downtown State College Farmers' Market and the North Atherton Farmers Market are both participating this year, and you get to vote! Visit the Farmland Trust's website and search for State College to find our markets and cast your vote! The winning market will receive a shipment of tote bags, a frontpage article on Epicurious.com and other prizes.

And for all you aspiring chefs out there, visit WPSU.org and enter the Local Food Journey's strawberry recipe contest. With strawberry season just starting to be upon us, it's the perfect time to experiment and hone your best recipe. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Harrison's Wine Grill & Catering!

What's in season now?

Berries: Strawberries
Greens: Arugula, Chard, Escarole, Kale, Lettuces, Mustard Greens, Bok Choy, Spinach
Herbs: Basil
Vegetables: Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage (chinese), Carrots, Celery, Garlic Scapes, Peas (snap), Peas (snow), Potatoes (new red), Radish, Scallions, Tomatoes (generally toward the end of the month- but Kreider's Family Farms at the North Atherton Farmers' Market has hothouse tomatoes now!)

This Week's Featured Recipe: Asian-Inspired Carrot Pasta Salad