Belmont Celebrates Farmers' Market Week Thursday

In celebration of Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week, the award-winning Belmont Farmers' Market will showcase special tasting from Belmont chefs this Thursday, Aug. 26.

Belmont Center's Kashish Indian cuisine, Patou Thai, and Stone Hearth Pizza, and Cushing Square's Kitchen on Common and Savinos Grill will offer delicious samples.

As a special guest, Anna Romagnoli - whose parents Franco and Margaret hosted the first Italian cooking show on television on PBS in the 1970s - owner of the retail store and cafe La romagnoli & sons in Watertown will also be in attendance at the market Thursday.

Stay tuned; a chef's demonstration may be in the works. Check for the latest at www.belmontfarmersmarket.org.

The Market is also hosting a raffle for a bountiful basket of Belmont Farmers' Market produce and goodies and other prizes. The winners will be drawn later in the evening at Meet Belmont at the Chenery Middle School, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Complimentary copies of Edible Boston will also be available.

Find out how other area farmers' markets are celebrating Massachusetts Farmers' Market at http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/docs/farmers-market-week-activities.pdf.

The Belmont Farmers' Market is held every Thursday through the end of October, rain or shine, and is located in the municipal parking lot in Belmont Center, at the intersection of Cross Street and Channing Road, behind the stores on Leonard Street.

The Belmont Farmers' Market was awarded 2009 Best of Boston by Boston Magazine and was named runner-up to neighboring Lexington in this year's publication.

Participants ask shoppers to bring nonperishable for the Belmont Food Pantry on the third Thursday of the month.

For up-to-the-minute Market news, including guest vendors and performers, sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at belmontfarmersmarket@gmail.com, or visit www.belmontfarmersmarket.org. The Market can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

BELMONT FARMERS' MARKET FACTS

• Awarded "Best of Boston 2009" by Boston Magazine.
• Started and run by an all-volunteer organization of about 80 people In its fifth year of operation.
• Offers community service opportunities to students.
• Collects nonperishable food items for the Belmont Food Pantry every third Thursday of the month.
• Publishes Roots & Sprouts, a seasonal newsletter reporting on local food and agriculture, which is distributed through the public school system.
• Encourages local musicians of all levels to perform.
• Hosts an annual Apple Dessert Contest during the apple harvest as participating bakers use apples purchased from the Market.

VENDORS

Seven farms selling local product and cut flowers, including Sergi Farm, Belmont's last working farm.

Two perennial and annual plant gardeners.

Two meat producers.

One egg farmer.

Three bakers.

Five sweet and savory sauce, jam and jelly, and honey makers.

One knife-sharpening service.

Two cheese mongers.

One Egyptian specialty food maker.

One fresh pasta and sauce maker.