By Peter Lyons Hall
When the Lakeside Farmers Market opened this season the organizers wanted customers to know two things: that its fresh food vendors were offering the finest produce, orchard products, poultry, eggs, homemade cheese and yogurt available; and that those vendors providing prepared foods would be providing unique menu items that you could not easily get elsewhere – particularly in a big box store. Lunch Lady’s menu items are a good choice.
Every item on Amy Goff’s (a/k/a The Lunch Lady) menu is made with top quality, fresh ingredients that are predominantly organic and locally sourced. Entrées and Main Course Salads are all made with organic grains, pastas and beans, and many are vegan or vegetarian. Most are delicious straight out of the fridge as an easy and healthy “grab-and-go” lunch for work or school. And they taste even better heated in the microwave or on the stovetop for a fast and fabulous dinner entrée. Goff is a West Milford native and always looks forward to seeing some of her regular customers in Greenwood Lake. “I like to make seasonal soups that can be served either chilled or warmed, “ she explained, “ and my Carrot-Ginger soup is a good example: it’s made with a velvety puree of roasted carrots simmered with vegetable broth, fresh cream and butter, onions, garlic and fresh ginger, with a blend of warm spices. It’s naturally a vegetarian dish but also gluten-free.” And she is generous with serving suggestions, recipes, and collaborations with nearby farmers.
Hearty Soups, Stews & Chilis are rich and savory, comforting, wholesome, and extremely tempting! Many are vegan or vegetarian or can be made so by request. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. They also freeze beautifully to enjoy later. Sweets & Baked Goods are always made with organic sugar, organic flour, and golden syrup or honey instead of corn syrup. And all menu items are prepared fresh when you order them, and substitutions and customizations are always welcome. There are many gluten-free options on Amy’s menu, however, those with hyper sensitivity to gluten should be aware that her facility is one that also processes wheat.
Jeff Bialis (J&A Farm, Goshen) spent the night late on Friday harvesting the season’s first batch of snap peas, the deliciously sweet, crisp veggies. They offer a rich nutrient profile low in calories, high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and folate, which supports immune function, blood clotting, and bone health. Served individually or in salads they are a good source of antioxidants and minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium, which can help with heart health and weight management.
This coming Saturday watch for a special guest presenter from Orange County’s Composting Program, Ermin Siljkovic. The organic waste stream is composed of yard waste and food scraps – totaling approximately one third (1/3) of our total Municipal Solid Waste! The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 96 billion pounds of food are wasted each year in the U.S. at a cost of $1 billion. Composting is not only a great solution for reducing landfill waste but it can help reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, and improve soils. To learn more about the region’s composting program contact Ermin at esiljkovic@orangecountygov.com, or stop by the Lakeside Farmers Market and speak with Grow Local GreenwoodLake’s Chad Pilieri who can inform you about Greenwood Lake’s local program.
Visit the Lakeside Farmers Market on Saturdays throughout the next few months to learn about what’s currently being harvested, what’s being prepared in nearby kitchens, and what’s happening throughout the region’s food system. Click on VillageofGreenwoodLake.gov/lakeside-farmers-market for details.
Photo credit: Peter Lyons Hall
