May 4th, 2011

Good Earth Market, Organic Farm, Clarksville, Delaware, Authentic, Sustainable, Events, Farm to Table Dinners…Delaware Beaches

Months ago I was going to attend a gluten free cooking class at Good Earth Market.  I believe that one of those “nor’ easters” hit the beaches and that particular class was canceled.  Needless to say, I had never been there but I knew where it was located.

Let me just give the info. of where you can find them and then we will get to the best part of the post.  It is located at 31806 Good Earth Lane, Rt., 26 on Atlantic Ave., which is 4 1/2 miles west of Bethany Beach.  The town is Clarksville, Delaware 19970.  The tel. 302-537-7100.  The website?  www.goodearthmarket.com.   On Facebook, of course.  Befriend them on FB because they have more to offer besides what you will find on the website.

The owners are Susan and David Ryan.  This is their store.  The farm?  Well, it is also their home.  They open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.  On Sundays they are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

When I arrived on Monday, Susan was there.  She was very gracious and looked very rested even though she had just come from France.  I introduced myself and she told me to feel free to take pictures and then she would take me out to the farm which was in back of the store.

The store is very well stocked and looks like a grocery store with shelves and freezers.  There is a fresh dairy case and a non-dairy case.

Good Earth has organic products from teas, coffees to all natural beauty products; hand creams and body oils. Vitamins and healthy essentials, as well.

There is a huge selection of gluten free grocery and frozen foods.  I was particularly interested on the gluten free products since we eat gluten free in my home.

Every Friday and Saturday there is a delivery of Kogler’s Old World Artisan Breads.

You will find cut flowers in season and herbs are cut to order.

The farm is 100% organic and to be so it was certified by the USDA.  Many of the items are grown right on the farm.

Susan took me to the back of the farm.  There we found Ingrid, the Master Gardener busy at work.  In the greenhouse, there were 7,000 heirloom tomatoes to be planted.  Good Earth Market is known for their heirloom tomatoes.  They are sold at the Farmers Markets in Lewes, Georgetown, Bethany and Fenwick Island.  Besides the tomato plants there were also all kinds of fragrant herbs getting ready, as well.

Besides my wanting to see the farm and store I also was very much interested in some of the upcoming events that will be starting this week-end.  These look like they will be a lot of fun.

Saturday, 5/7 – at 12:00 Noon.  Michael Rodriguez, consulting chef at Kool Bean returns for another fun cooking demo.  He will work his magic and taste the results.  Recipes for you on that day.

Saturday, 5/14 – at 12:00 Noon.  Matt Haley will be there for another fun Cooking Show!!  He will be entertaining, for sure and will show how to prepare something delicious.  Arrive early to get a good seat.

Saturday, 5/21 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. is Good Earth Market’s Semi Annual Arts & Crafts Show.  It will feature local artists.  Food and drinks will be available along with Kogler’s Bread.  It will be the day to find unique treasures for yourselves or for gifts.

Saturday, 6/4 at 12:00 Noon.  “Slow Food Delmarva” arrives at Good Earth Market.  The Market is excited to support this idea, way of living and way of eating.  It is a global grassroots movement with members around the world campaigning for a commitment to a better community, a better environment and better food.  Come to learn more.  You can check their website, www.slowfooddelmarva.org.

The “Farm To Table”  Dinners

Authentic and sustainble; indulging in several courses, gourmet dinners prepared by Plate Catering; part of the SoDel Concepts.  On Facebook.  Website?  http://www.plate-catering.com.

Placing the guests right in the field; eating the food grown in the farm.  Our coastal area affords us the opportunity to take advantage of the farm, the bay and the sea.

There will be 3 Farm to Table dinners and each is a fundraising event. 

Cocktails will be served right in back of Good Earth, while listening to music, overlooking the farm.

Then, guests will stroll to the table, in the middle of the field.  This year, the table could be set right on the back or towards the left of the farm.

Tuesday, 5/10 at 6:00 p.m.  The Farm to Table feast on this evening will benefit The Center For the Inland Bays.  Please join them as the sun sets for a unique dining experience.  Carefully selected, locally grown ingredients will be prepared by Plate Catering and paired with the perfect wines.  The events begins at 6 pm.  The cost?  $95 per person.  To obtain tickets and reservations please call 302-5378-7100 or stop by Good Earth in person.  Rain date will be the following day.

The Center for the Inland Bays was established in 1994 to protect and preserve Delaware’s Inland Bays and their watersheds.  For more info. please visit http://www.inlandbays.org.  I will be writing a post on CIB soon.

Tuesday, 6/7 at 6:00 p.m.  This Farm to Table feast will be benefiting Children & Families First, Sussex County.  It will be another unique dining experience.  Plate Catering will have selected locally grown ingredients again and will pair the dinner with the perfect wines.  The cost is $95 per person.  Please call 302-537-7100 for a reservation.  Rain date will be the following day.

Children & Families First, Sussex County is a non-profit social services agency whose branches have touched every corner of Delaware improving the lives of those in need.  For more info. please visit www.cffde.org.

Tuesday, 9/13 at 6:00 p.m.  This will be the last Farm to Table feast for the season.  It will benefit Global Delaware-HHC.  Prepare to join them as the sun sets for a unique dining experience.  Plate Catering will be cooking and selecting the wines for the evening.  The cost is $95 and you can call for tickets and reservations at 302-537-7100.  The rain date will be the following day.

Have a good one!!  Talk to you later….you know I will….

October 4th, 2009

You will find Rainbow Earth Foods at the Delaware Beaches…In the town of Rehoboth Beach…

Rehoboth Beach

It has been a year since my husband started eating gluten/wheat free.  It has made such a difference.  When they tell you that the only thing you can do when diagnosed with celiac disease is diet, then you plunge into a new way of eating.

I thought it was going to be hard but, actually, once I cleaned my kitchen and my pantry; turned it into a “gluten free kitchen” it was not bad at all.  You get used to it; you have to.

There is so much more awareness in this country about gluten allergies and intolerances.  People have so many choices.  Grocery stores have isles with plenty of gluten free products.  Product labels have to disclose glutens.  Restaurants are offering gluten free menus, and the list goes on.  I have tried different products and some I like better than others.

The grocery stores in Rehoboth Beach have a lot of products available.  But, one of my favorite stores is Rainbow Earth Foods.  It is located right on the Avenue specifically at 220 Rehoboth Ave., Tel. 302-227-3177 , fax #302-227-7215, website is www.RainbowEFoods.com, and e-mail address is RainbowEFoods@aol.com.

I love this store.  It is not big but they have everything I need.  And, if you cannot find it, either Mike or Diana will order it.

For many years it was known as Peter Rabbit but Mike has had it for 7 years.

When you come into the store you will find on either side of the store refrigerators with natural juices, milk, and grab and go prepared foods like dips and cheeses.

There is one section with pure spices that are sold by weight.  They smell so good.

The store also carries soaps, beauty products, shampoos, toothpaste; all natural with no additives.

How about essential and botanical oils?  I did not know there was a difference.  Essential oils are single oils like lavender.  The botanical oils are a mixture of teas and spices.

They even have greeting cards that are “tree free” meaning they are made of earth friendly materials.

If you are using herbal and vitamin supplements, well stop by the store.  They have way too many for me to list on this post.

Since the holidays are soon approaching, they will have gluten free – Eberly’s organic turkeys.   They also carry 100% organic fed beef, free range young chicken breasts, and organic uncured bacon by Applegate Farms; no nitrites added.

My favorite products there are the following items and I really buy them all the time:

Organic Buckwheat flour – gluten free- for pancakes (delicious with molasses on top)

Organic Gluten Free pancake and baking mix

Namaste Foods Products like, Spice Cake, and cookie mix

European – gluten free crispbread and crackers

All products from the Grainless Baker, Inc. like muffins, cinnamon buns, pizza and bread.  These products are frozen and use as needed.  The pizza is amazing.  It is small but is the closest to the real thing.  I add chopped onion, sundried tomatoes, peppers, anchovies and Voila!! Include a salad and you have a meal.  Truly love those products.

Nustevia – sugar substitute.  I first saw it in Colorado. No bitter taste, safe for diabetics and naturally processed.

I buy their gluten free vanilla.  Yes, you have to be careful about vanilla too.

Soy sauce?  Yes, I buy the Tamari, wheat free.  I just saw one that also has low sodium.  I might have to have Mike order that one for me soon.

One thing I have to tell you is that one day I was at their counter paying and I noticed some bottles on the left hand side.  It was called The Natural Miracle Conditioner by Tate’s.  There are so many uses for this lotion.  It is for hair conditioning, skin, bath and shower, make-up remover, poison ivy, diaper rash and the list keeps going on and on. I bought it and it is true; it does all those things.  I really like it.  No animal testing, colors or dyes, fragrances or pesticides.  And, gluten free.  The company is from Ohio and their website is www.ourtatefamily.com.  Check it out.

Since starting this blog, I have learned so many interesting things….