Monday, July 30, 2012 – SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Come and cool off from the heat wave at the Farmers Market of the Ozarks (FMO) Mater Madness Event on Saturday, August 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., right off Republic Road and Highway 60.
The record hot temperatures have caused tomatoes to ripened early and at once, therefore FMO is celebrating the harvest with tomato cooking demonstrations and the 2012 Salsa Wars Competition.
“Our vendors will sample their best salsa recipes to the public and customers can vote on their favorites by dropping loose coins and dollars in a voting jar at each vendor stall,” explained Market Manager Lane McConnell. “FMO will donate all proceeds from the voting to the Ronald McDonald House.”
Announcement of the winners of the Salsa Wars Competition will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the musician stage. Copies of the winning recipes will be made available on the market’s Facebook page.
Cooking demonstrations start at 9:00 a.m. and visitors to market will learn a variety of ways to prepare tomato dishes and other recipes that highlight products found from the market. Mama Jean’s Natural Food Market, Quickley Produce Farm and Echigo Farm will be cooking in the Local Foods Cooking Demonstration Booth. Stop in the booth to watch recipes being prepared, sample dishes and pick-up recipe cards.
In addition, FMO vendors will be grilling and sampling products throughout the day and consumers are encouraged to stop in and talk with vendors about tomato specific questions they may have.
Live music begins in the morning and will run throughout the day with various local artists. Pack up the family and come out to market for a day of food, family and fun at FMO.
