Eating Local with Brothers Marketplace and Natick Community Organic Farm | Fresh Summer Recipes
A few weeks ago, Brothers Marketplace and the Natick Community Organic Farm teamed up in celebration of their 1st and 40th birthdays to encourage eating local and eating healthy. Tours of the farm, informative demonstrations, and a wholesome, locally-grown meal made for the perfect anniversary celebration kickoff. (Read on for a few of their fresh […]
A few weeks ago, Brothers Marketplace and the Natick Community Organic Farm teamed up in celebration of their 1st and 40th birthdays to encourage eating local and eating healthy. Tours of the farm, informative demonstrations, and a wholesome, locally-grown meal made for the perfect anniversary celebration kickoff. (Read on for a few of their fresh and delicious summer recipes!)
Sign welcomes visitors to the Natick Community Organic Farm. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultJunior working farmers man the farmstand, which sells the farm’s fresh produce and organic flowers to visitors. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultBeautiful sunflowers sold in the farm stand are sure to delight anyone. Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault The front of Natick Community Organic Farm’s 200-year-old barn. Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Guests and media gathered at the 27-acre Natick Community Organic Farm, which was founded in 1975 to provide jobs for local teenagers. These programs have since expanded – the farm now “employs” children of all ages, provides educational summer programs, and is open to the public during daylight hours for visits and access to the farmstand. Many employees and volunteers spoke of the rewarding experiences they have had as part of the farm’s programs, and the life skills that working directly with the land teaches. The farm is home to various livestock, fruits and vegetables, flowers, and even a sugar shack for making maple syrup. Everything is certified organic and ethically cared for.
Back side of the barn Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultThe farm grows and dries its own garlic. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultOrganic flowers like these last longer and are healthier than treated flowers. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultAlmost ripe! Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultThe afternoon sun peeks through enormous sunflowers. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultChildren of all ages are welcome on the farm. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultBins like these encourage a sustainable lifestyle. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultQueenie the Australian Cattle Dog has a job too. She helps herd the cattle and sheep on the farm. She assisted her owner, our tour guide, with the tour, too. Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Brothers Marketplace began partnering with the farm and selling their produce last year. A division of Roche Brothers Supermarkets, Brothers Marketplace focuses on local, freshly-made products. They believe that it is of the utmost importance to know where food comes from, and to ensure that it is sustainable, honest, and healthy.
Brothers Marketplace gets all of its products from local vendors. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultFresh mozzarella is the key to many summer dishes. Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
The chefs at Brothers Marketplace crafted a few recipes specifically for the event (using fresh ingredients from the farm, of course.) My favorites were the Roasted Garlic & Lemon Kale Salad and the Caprese Salad Cups served on a Roasted Patty Pan Squash (recipes to follow!). They were both so fresh and wholesome without compromising bold tastes. Try them out, and let us know what you think!
Dishes made by the chefs at Brothers Marketplace. Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultLooks yummy! Try the Roasted Garlic and Lemon Kale Salad (center, bottom) and the Patty Pan Squash Caprese Cups (left) for yourself! Photo Credit : Bethany BourgaultLEARN MORE!Brothers Marketplace. 41 Center Street, Weston, MA. 781-966-3696. 446 Main Street, Medfield, MA. 508-359-6850; brothers-marketplace.comNatick Community Organic Farm. 117 Eliot Street, Natick, MA. 508-655-2204; natickfarm.orgGET THE RECIPES!Roasted Garlic and Lemon Kale Salad
A unique and fun presentation of kale (a renowned superfood) that’s sure to entice even the most picky veggie eaters. Bold lemon and garlic flavors make this one a winner. (And it smells wonderful while cooking, too!)
Roasted Patty Pan Squash Caprese Cups
Great for entertaining or to simply serve for the family, this recipe delivers a tasty new take on a classic Italian salad in a bowl you can eat! Fresh ingredients guarantee this to be a light, healthy, and delightful dish.
Bethany Bourgault
Bethany Bourgault interned with Yankee Magazine and New England.com during the summers of 2015 and 2016. She recently graduated from Syracuse University, majoring in magazine journalism with minors in writing and religion. She loves reading, exploring the outdoors, ballroom dancing, and trying new recipes. Keep up with her adventures at bethanybourgault.com.