Are you one of the 600+ viewers who saw the June Fruition Local Food Showcase online? It’s an amazing time of year for food grown or made in our region and our livestream shines a spotlight on three unique food producers each month.
The June edition featured Daniel Martin of Martin’s Farmstand in Potsdam, Matt Martin of M & M Eggs in Massena, and Alicia & Josh Taillon of The Blue House in Madrid.
Martin’s Farmstand
Daniel and Mendy Martin started with a you-pick berry patch in 1998 and now, 20+ years later, has a full complement of items from their homegrown vegetables to meat, maple and more sourced from other area growers they know and trust. In our conversation, Daniel elegantly explained how a food system only works if both the growers AND the eaters are dedicated to each other. We created a snippet of his interview. Learn more about their family business here.
M & M Eggs
“When we buy birds we look for some of the best flocks in the United States and get the best genetics we possibly can,” shares Matt Martin. M & M Eggs’ pride and passion is conserving chicken breeds that are in danger of disappearing if we don’t make a plan for continued reproduction. As a result, they run a certified hatchery that sells 12 species of heritage poultry, conserves bloodlines and takes part in the National Poultry Improvement Plan. From English Orpingtons to Olive Eggers, their striking birds represent a rich tapestry of diversity in poultry species.
The Blue House
Have you been to downtown Madrid this year? The village welcomed back Alicia and Josh Taillon, entrepreneurs who grew up in Madrid and returned to transform a residence in the village center into a wood-fired eatery called The Blue House. Their seasonally-inspired menu changes weekly and is drawing a clientele from Madrid and far beyond. They are opening this month for in-person dining at their beautiful spot overlooking the Grasse River.
Three viewers that tuned in to the June showcase were lucky prizewinners. Phyllis C. won a fill-your-own grocery bag with salad fixings from Martin’s Farmstand, Karin B. won a Thanksgiving turkey from M & M Eggs, and Derek S. won a $50 gift certificate to The Blue House restaurant.
The Local Foods team is gearing up for another showcase. We’re excited to announce that our guests on July 21st, 7-8pm will be Morgan Leeson of O & E Farm in Gouverneur, Kelly Burnham of The Root Cellar Juice Bar at Flying Lotus Yoga Center in Canton and Mark Berninghausen of Squeak Creek Apiaries in Brasher Falls. View the livestream on the CCE of SLC site on YouTube or Facebook.
July is a paradise of options for foodstuffs that spring from our northern soils; tune in and stock up!