Dallas Farmers Market Friends Host Ice Cream Social
Honoring Founder Ida Papert and Showcasing Talents of Local Culinary Students
(DALLAS)- To honor the commitment and efforts of Dallas Farmers Market Friends Founder, Ida Papert, the Dallas Farmers Market Friends is hosting the 3rd Annual ‘Mama Ida Ice Cream Social’ at the Dallas Farmers Market Plaza on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m.-noon. Working with local donations of fresh ingredients, a variety of ice cream and sorbet entries will be developed by local culinary students and the Dallas County Youth Village. Judged by all attendees, the winner will be awarded a cash prize.
In the late 80’s, the Dallas Farmers Market was feeling the effects of lengthy area construction, unrealized political promises and was in desperate need of a community coalition to preserve the integrity of the once popular, city owned ‘farm to table’ concept. Community volunteer Ida Paper, an election chair for Mayor Starke Taylor and a decades-long, seasoned civic leader seemed the logical choice for the politicos of 1991 to head an organization that would gather support for the 40 year old Dallas Farmers Market. With a small but visionary support group (aka Ida’s civic pals), the Dallas Farmers Market Friends held their first meeting in early 1991.
Fast-forward to 2009 and we see the results of the efforts of these original few. The DFMFriends have contributed thousands of dollars and volunteer time to the DFM. These critical dollars have provided necessary materials, education and oft times the reason the DFM could stay in the good graces of the sharp-penciled city budgeters.
Noting that she has worked with few Farmers Market directors that had more experience and credentials than the current Administrator, Janelle Leatherwood, Ms. Papert feels confident that the DFM can only continue its success in providing the city of Dallas with locally grown produce and meats.
For more information, please contact:
Ryan Eason, President
Dallas Farmer’s Market Friends
ryan@hcahealthcare.com 214.734.7600
2008 “Friends” Summary
100% Increase In Membership…140 Active Members…Thank you For Your “Friendship”!
Events
May 30
Farm and Flower Festival
June 10
Chef’s Roundtable – Chefs and food producers discussed ways to connect via the Farmers Market
June 26
Chef’s Walk 1 – first of two “wholesale night” tours of the market for local chefs
June 27
Mama Ida’s Ice Cream Social – 2nd of a new annual event featuring the Friends founder Ida Pappert. If you like ice cream this is a “do not miss” event
July 17
Chef’s Walk 2
November 6
14th Annual Hoedown – Local food prepared by local chefs hosted by Honorary Chairman Mayor Tom Leppert.
Farmers Market Coalition
Instituted by the “Friends”, leaders from our organization as well as leaders from the Farmers Market, American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), Slow Foods, Les Dames d’Escoffier, and The Greater Dallas Restaurant Association (GDRA) met once per quarter to discuss and decide on ways to promote the Farmers Market in general, and specifically the new Shed 2 project.
Volunteers
Throughout the year there are many opportunities to put your "volunteer skills" to work. Some of the events requiring these skills are just plain fun. A few of the events that the Friends provide volunteers for include:
Cooking Classes
Pegasus Music Festival
Days Of Taste
14th Annual Hoedown
Farm And Flower Festival
State Fair Of Texas
Mama Ida’s Ice Cream Social
If you are interested in volunteering for our events please contact Ruthann Chisholm via e-mail admiralgeorge@yahoo.com.
Communications
The Dallas Farmers Market Friends website was given a facelift and now includes updated information on market news, and upcoming events. You can even buy your Hoedown tickets on line now. In addition, the website has an interactive blog to discuss current events at the market, local food issues, or anything you want to chat about. In addition, the Friends has entered the world of Social Networking. The Friends have established a group on Facebook. As of the date of the annual meeting there are approximately 100 members of the group. Won’t you join us by going on Facebook by searching the site for “Dallas Farmers Market Friends”? Our members will continue to receive electronic newsletters at least quarterly. And in response to popular demand we will be reinstating the hard copy of the newsletter that will be sent by mail.
Items Purchased For The Market
In 2008 The Friends donated money to the market to purchase two 10x10 exhibition tents, 5000 Farmers Market Calendars, staff development support for farmer recruitment, and technical repairs and general maintenance.
