South Moorhead Farmers Market

By Alice Christianson
Staff Writer

Sydney’s Health Market has received favorable coverage in the High Plains Reader for good reason—organic and local foods, gluten-free and allergen-free foods.

During the summer months, Sydney’s will be hosting a farmers’ market on Fridays from 3-7 PM. Area producers will include: Red Goose Gardens, Probsfield Organic Gardens, Yellow Bird Gardens, Noreen Thomas, Petre’s, Bodchler, Isinger, It’s About Time and Ancient Roots Garden.

I stopped in on July 2. Despite how early the season is for our growing area, four growers were there with a selection of greens, herbs, beets, onions, carrots, and the best kohlrabi that I have eaten. Home-canned apple butter was also for sale.

Vegans will be pleased to learn that Sydney’s is carrying Gardein (http://www.gardein.com), a veggie-meat product that is made from soy protein, vital wheat gluten, ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut) and vegetables. With no saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol it is a healthy alternative that non-vegans ought to try.

I am hoping that Sydney’s will be able to carry my favorite Gardein product -chick’n scallopini. This product comes in four frozen fillets that when dusted with flour, sauteed with a little olive oil till browned, and flavored with vegetable stock or white wine, a little Earth Balance soy butter and lemon juice and fresh herbs, make a delicious entree.

Sydney’s is customer-friendly and willing to consider ordering requests.

I found the largest concentration of different Purely Decadent non-dairy ice cream, and brought home several selections, including cookie dough, turtle trails, cherry nirvana and pomegranate chip. I purchased Coconut Bliss Bars in dark chocolate and also naked coconut, perfect for a hot day.

A friend mentioned that Sydney’s carries Madhava’s Agave Nectar in different flavors. I purchased Amaretto and Cappucino, which will add a sweet flavor to morning coffee, smoothies, or baked goods. Agave is a great low-glycemic sweetener that substitutes for honey.

I also found some interesting and tasty snack crackers. Dill Flackers are flax crackers that help vegans get their omega-3s. Food Should Taste Good’s olive tortilla chips are wonderful with or without salsa, and Back to Nature sunflower basil crackers are full of whole grains and with a fragrant basil flavor, are perfect with hummus.

A few other items that I purchased included Eden Organics garlic gomasio, made from dry roasted sesame seeds, sea salt and garlic, which, when sprinkled on food, replaces table salt and reduces salt intake.

I found Celifiber’s vegetarian beef and chicken bouillon, some interesting bottles of vegan salad dressing, and Ginger People’s spicy apple ginger chews for something sweet and spicy. There were many other vegan items I could have purchased, so it will be fun to return.

And going on Fridays will provide an opportunity to support local growers and find veggies that may not be available in my garden.

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If You Go

What: South Moorhead Farmers Market
Where: Sidney’s Health Market
When: Fridays, 3-7pm
Info: 218.233.3310