Daisy Mae's Refreshed

Daisy Mae's for Kids at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Here's your chance to show some love to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Starting today (3/17/15) take a picture at Daisy Mae's and post your photo to your Instagram account with the hashtag #DaisyMaesforkids. Every time you share, Children's Hospital will receive $.50. Promotion runs through 3/24/15. Let's see how much money we can donate for the kids!

#DaisyMaesforkids

What's for Lunch?

Taste the World at Dean's Mediterranean Imports

My husband and I have operated our fresh produce stand at Cincinnati's historic Findlay Market for five years. Maybe it's because Daisy Mae's was in a prominent location near an entrance to the market house, but we became a sort of information booth for inquiring visitors. "Where's the restroom?" "Where can I get a cup of coffee?" "Who has a good bowl of soup?" After enough of those questions, I decided to start my Taste the World at Findlay Market food tours in 2012. My plan was to take the visitors by the hand and show them all that Findlay Market has to offer.

Since then, I have led hundreds of guests through Findlay Market during our tours, sharing delicious food samples and experiencing the fun of the market. Because our route may vary from tour to tour and the merchants love to get creative with their samples, each tour is slightly different. Of course, inquiring minds want to know, "What do we eat?" and "How much do we eat?"

Here's a brief description of what our guests enjoyed on yesterday's tour:

1. Seoul black rice with kimchi sweet potatoes from Fresh Table
2. Homemade Greek yogurt topped with honey and crushed pistachios, Barhi dates, Turkish figs, and cashews roasted in-house at Dean's Mediterranean Imports
3. Raspberry Black Tea from Churchill's Fine Teas
4. Thai vegetarian egg roll from Mimi's Gourmet Egg Rolls and Curry Bowls
5. Pumpkin bread pudding and curried chicken salad from Gramma Debbie's Kitchen
6. Handcrafted chocolates from Maverick Chocolate Co.

We tasted the world, and I know our guests were impressed with the variety of samples on yesterday's tour. Thanks to the merchants for creating another unforgettable experience. I think we inspired a new group of Findlay Market fans.

Pardon Our Dust

The start of a new year brings an exciting change for Daisy Mae's Market at Findlay Market. As winter moves in, you will no longer see their fresh produce at the outside location on the Race Street end of the market house. Instead, they will be working on the south side of the market house at 107 W. Elder. During January and February, changes will be taking place inside the building as owner Barry Cooper works to restore, remodel, and refresh the historic property with plans to launch as a retail space in early March. While the renovation progresses and as weather permits, look for sales of select produce, Amish jams, and local salsa outside the building at 107 W. Elder. Also during the transition, Daisy Mae's will maintain delivery service to local restaurants, cafes, corporate wellness programs, and fellow Findlay Market merchants. Stay tuned for more updates. 

Fresh Eyes

My dad moved from Florida in August to be closer to our family. After a few adjustments and one small medical setback, we're all settling into a nice routine now here in our home. Dad has been working hard to build up his strength, and today we decided he was ready for a trip to Findlay Market. He had seen pictures of Findlay Market, but none prepared him for this beautiful fall day with bright sun and blue sky. He took it all in, enjoyed meeting a few of my merchant and neighborhood friends, and lunched on one of Mimi's Gourmet Eggrolls. He kept saying how much Findlay Market exceeded his expectations, and I gradually realized that Dad was noticing things that I had missed. I guess I had started to take my regular trips to Findlay Market for granted, and it took a fresh pair of eyes to appreciate what we have.

Among the observations of this 90-year-old were:

• "The market smells so good my mouth is watering."
• "There are so many different kinds of people here. And so many young people!"
• "I didn't realize so much of the market was indoors. I really didn't need this jacket because it's nice and warm inside."
• "You can't go wrong owning any of the property around here."
• "The parking is only $.50?!? It's close and they have nice ramps for my cart."
• "That's a lot of food for just a little money."
• "It would take at least a half day to see everything here."

I guess we all need to look at Findlay Market with fresh eyes. Whether you're a first-timer, or a seasoned shopper, take a look around and appreciate what we have here in Cincinnati. 

The Community of Findlay Market

Sometimes I think Findlay Market should have its own zip code. It's a small town within itself. Merchants are there when the sun comes up, and many of them are still there as the sun sets. They share common concerns. When a merchant is ill or has a family issue, everyone cares. When someone has a new grandchild, everyone celebrates. Dating, marriage, divorce, agreements, arguments, partnerships, and contracts have all occurred within and among the merchants. And you can be sure, just as in any community, gossip has been known to be exchanged.
The definition of community also includes "sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals." The merchants of Findlay Market definitely share the goal of sustaining the market as the focal point of Over-the-Rhine. They relish the tradition and share the passion generated by over 160 years of Findlay Market history. Change comes slowly, after careful consideration, but it does occur as everyone adjusts to new shopping habits, preferences, and procedures.
In addition to emotional support, merchants support each other financially. Did you know that several of Daisy Mae's best customers are actually other Findlay Market merchants? It's not uncommon for other merchants to purchase fresh produce from Daisy Mae's, rice from Saigon Market, beef from Eckerlin's Meats, or spices from Colonel De to use in dishes prepared to sell at Findlay Market. More than once, I've heard one merchant yell across the aisle, "Toss me a pound of bacon!" Why go to a wholesale restaurant supplier when everything you need is available from your neighbor?
Findlay Market merchants take the "Shop Local" message to heart. They support each other and all benefit from their cooperative efforts. More than 35 individual businesses all work together to survive not only individually, but also as a community.

I Hate Wrappers

I know I'm not the only one who hates wrappers and packaging. It's not just the irritation of trying to figure out which end to open or where the flap starts. I hate the waste and the smell, and if it's food wrapped in too much packaging, I wonder about the preservatives.








It also bothers me when the thing I want requires a 6-inch knife and a whole lot of patience to open--like this:

Or when way too much packaging is used for one little item--like this:

Or when it's not even necessary to put something in a wrapper--like this:

I also dislike the taste of commercially packaged baked goods--like this:

I much prefer my baked goods made at home with no preservatives, no packaging or wrappers, and healthy ingredients. Like these Healthy Carrot-Zucchini Mini Muffins. Who's with me?

Catch Some Summer Before It's Gone

When I was young, summer was when my mother and aunt would take outings just to buy fresh produce. Sometimes it was a trip for tomatoes or sweet corn from a local farm. Other times, it was a "pick-your-own" adventure for raspberries or strawberries. I didn't always tag along, but I remember the evening meals after such an outing. I especially remember the strawberry shortcake.
With the exception of birthday cakes, we rarely had dessert as the final course of the meal. Don't get me wrong. We had our share of sweet treats, but it was usually ice cream or cookies and not a formal dessert, per se. However, when fresh strawberries were available, we had shortcake.
Shortcake at our house could be Angel Food cake with smashed strawberries on top, or it could be a store-bought sponge cake. Either way, the shortcake was topped with a small dab of whipped cream and the strawberry juice oozed throughout the cake. I loved it.
As we wind down the days of summer and the kids head back to school, why not treat yourself to some strawberry shortcake? It just might remind you of days gone by, and you might be making new memories that others will share.

Set Another Place at the Table

Since our youngest moved out in May, special meals at our house have become infrequent. It seems like dinner for Barry and me has been leftovers, "make-something-out-of-nothing," carry-out, or "let's just skip it." So it's a pleasant relief when either of us really plans a meal ahead of time. We find ourselves talking about the preparation and the food, and our conversation switches from the day-to-day recap of running a small business to the joy of cooking and sharing a good meal.
We've recently added a third place at our dinner table. My dad has moved here from Florida and has instilled us with new energy to apply to meals. We're excited to share recipes he may have missed since he last visited ten years ago. Since his diet is switching from frozen dinners to "real cooking," he's an easy customer to please. Among other food favorites, we enjoy sharing the fresh produce from Daisy Mae's and find our food becomes a launching pad for further conversation.
When you sense that meals are become more of a chore than a pleasure, why not add another mouth or two to feed at your table? I remember even when the kids were younger, we kicked it up a notch when a neighborhood friend joined us for dinner. Invite a relative. Encourage an old friend to come for dinner. Just by adding another face at the table, you'll find that your meals take on a new dimension and food can become fun again.

Small World

It's tough to get away on a vacation when you own your own business. It's a lot of work to get ready to leave for a few days, and it's always a lot of work catching up when you return. Yet this past weekend, we proved again that the rewards far outshine the efforts when you finally squeeze in a little time to unwind.
We headed to Hocking Hills for a quick camping getaway to reconnect with some of our best friends. After getting settled at the site, we briefly introduced ourselves to our neighbors at the adjoining campsite, admired their Airstream motorhome, and got acquainted with their dogs. We didn't see much of them for the next day or so as we were all off exploring the area and hiking the beautiful trails.
On Saturday, though, our neighbors were out walking the dogs. The first thing I noticed was that one of them wore a familiar t-shirt. "Over-the-Rhine?" I asked as I recognized the design as one that is popular in our Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. "Yep," he replied and smiled...It seemed we had formed an immediate bond. I mentioned that we owned Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market. He said they shop there regularly and love it. Next thing you know, he's telling us that they were about to make dinner with fresh local zucchini they bought at our stand!
What an unusual encounter! More than 100 miles from home, recognizing a clothing brand that connected us with our common neighborhood seemed coincidental enough. But what are the odds that our newfound friends might be enjoying the same fresh produce that we had just displayed at Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market? It truly is a small world.

What Do You Think About GMOs?

"Is this produce organic?" A few years ago, that was the most common question that I was asked at Daisy Mae's. More recently, the common question has become, "Is this produce 'local?'" In the last few weeks, however, I've noticed a new question has started to pop up: "What do you think about GMOs?"
The first two inquiries are fairly easy to answer. The organic question can be answered by explaining some basic economics and "what-the-market-will-bear" pricing. The local question is more of a geography question and is understood best in context of the growing season in Ohio. The GMO question, on the other hand, is a science question on the edge of philosophy, and so naturally it comes wrapped in controversy.
GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered due to genetic engineering. A television commercial ran in the 1970's in which we were reminded, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature," yet entire industries of biotechnology and genetic engineering have sprung up that do just that. GMOs are used in medical research, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. With regard to farming, advances in science have allowed genetic modifications to crops that enhance pest resistance, add nutritional value, and help crops thrive in extreme conditions.
Many people have no problem with genetically modified foods. Most of our corn and soybeans are genetically modified for the reasons mentioned above. There is broad scientific evidence that genetically modified foods cause no more risks than conventional foods. Yet, some people object to GMOs, claiming the risks have not been adequately explored. Others complain of a lack of regulation regarding labeling. The jury is still out, and the discussion will continue. Like it or not, genetic modification seems to be the latest food controversy.
What do you think? Are GMOs something you think about when shopping?

And Now A Word About Us...

I've spent the last few posts writing about our staff so I guess it's only fair that I tell you a little bit about us. Barry was born in Ft. Knox, KY and raised in Cincinnati. He worked with his dad in the homebuilding business before starting a career at Cincinnati Milacron. At the same time, he completed his degree in Business from the University of Cincinnati.
I was born and raised in Granite City, Illinois. I attended Miami University, got my degree in Elementary Education, took a teaching job in Mt. Healthy, met Barry, and the rest is history.
When the entrepreneurial bug hit us, we started our own homebuilding company and built and remodeled homes for about 25 years. When the building industry took a downturn, another opportunity knocked and we switched gears to start Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market. We've determined we're the only homebuilder turned tomato seller in the Cincinnati area!
The last five years have been a time of learning, organizing, sweating, cooperating, and imagining. We're determined to make fresh produce easily accessible so look for us to continue to innovate, experiment, and fine-tune our fresh produce market until we have removed all obstacles. For a small business, the work never ends, and at times, the monetary rewards are minimal. We've realized, however, that the relationships you develop when running a small business are what you value over time. We know it's not about the houses...or about the tomatoes...It's about the people.
Thanks for shopping local and thanks for supporting us at Findlay Market!

Getting to Know Clay

We've known Clay for many years, but he just joined us as a staff member at Daisy Mae's this year. In addition to being great at stocking and displaying our fresh produce, we've discovered that he has a natural ability to interact with the customers. Clay has lived his whole life in Milford, Ohio, and he's a proud member of the Milford High School football team. In addition to football and working at Daisy Mae's, he spends his time on schoolwork and hanging out with friends. He enjoys the diversity and the many friendly people he meets at Findlay Market. If you're looking for a good treat, Clay suggests our Windy Acres snacks and nuts. He's partial to the lemon drops, but he'll be happy to help you find a variety that works for you.

Meet Sam

Working at Daisy Mae's since 2010 while studying at the University of Cincinnati, Sam is a familiar face to anyone who has shopped at Findlay Market. She has done a great job of juggling her class schedule, her internships, and her work schedule and has been able to transfer her organizational skills to her job at Daisy Mae's. Sam was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but her parents were from Cincinnati so the family moved back here when she was young. She appreciates the importance of Findlay Market in the community and enjoys the diversity of both food and people. Among Sam's favorite foods at Daisy Mae's are the minneola tangelos because they are seedless, sweet, and delicious. Sam graduates from UC in August so stop in soon to wish her continued good luck.    

Getting to Know Ajoke

You probably know Ajoke Ferrell by his wonderful smile. He's only been with us a short time at Daisy Mae's, but he's already turned many customers into friends. Ajoke was born in Brooklyn, NY and came to Cincinnati to study electronic media and communications. He enjoys working at Daisy Mae's and does a great job explaining our specialty products and sharing samples with curious shoppers. He likes Findlay Market because you can get so many healthy products and you can always find something unique to take home. When he's not working or studying, Ajoke enjoys online gaming, clubbing, and hip-hop dance. Look for his friendly face next time you're at Findlay Market!

Meet Sophen

Sophen started working at Daisy Mae's last fall. Since he grew up in Cincinnati, he understands the importance of Findlay Market in the community, and he's proud to work with us. He enjoys the diversity at the market and particularly likes having so many choices for lunch or for taking food home. Sophen is great at setting up the stand. We tease him that he's the "Best Pyramid Builder," but I honestly think he has a special knack for displays and marketing. His favorite food at Daisy Mae's is the Gold Nugget tangerine because it's delicious and so easy to peel. When Sophen's not working at the market, he enjoys reading and sports. Next time you're at Daisy Mae's, say hello to Sophen.

Getting to Know You (and Us)

One of the best things about having a business at Findlay Market is the relationship that often develops with the customer. We may not remember each name, but we often remember who likes the fingerling potatoes, who prefers bicolor corn, and who likes the extra hot salsa. It's rewarding to watch customers return each week and seek out their favorite staff member to assist them. In my next few posts, I'll introduce you to our sales staff so that you can put a name with your favorite face.

Tony is probably familiar to many of you already since he has been with us for about a year and a half. He was born in Dayton, grew up in Piqua, and moved to Cincinnati to find work and opportunity. He quickly learned to appreciate the history surrounding Findlay Market and is proud to work at one of Cincinnati's landmarks. Tony is great at managing the stand, keeping track of inventory, and serving his customers. When you're shopping, he'll probably steer you in the direction of our apples because he loves the freshness and great taste of all the different varieties. When Tony's not working, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and watching movies. Look for him next time you're at Findlay Market.

Let's Get Mikey!

Back in the 1970's, Life Cereal introduced a commercial featuring two young boys who were contemplating trying a new cereal. When neither wanted to try it (because it might be healthy), one suggested, "Let's Get Mikey!" They decided to have the little brother try the new cereal because "he hates everything." Much to their surprise, "he liked it!"
We've started offering various samples at our Findlay Market location. It's really entertaining to watch people as they try to decide whether or not to try something that may be new to them. Some wait for the friend or spouse to try it first. Others dig right in. ("If it's free, it's for me!") Occasionally, someone will ask, "What does it taste like?" (Hmmm. I'm pretty sure that's why we're offering the sample.) Whether it's fresh salsa, watermelon, or a sliver of daikon radish, we've seen the bold tasters, the reticent tasters, the avid tasters, and the curious tasters. Next time you see us with samples, if you don't want to try it, get Mikey. You might just find out that he likes it!

I'm No Martha Stewart, but...

The pressure is on. Sunday, April 27 is the annual 1 Night 12 Kitchens Fundraiser to support scholarships for students at the Midwest Culinary Institute. This event features professional chefs and gourmet food from many of Cincinnati's finest restaurants. Students are also involved, and the extravaganza is truly a showcase of both culinary skills and creativity.
My husband and I have attended the event in the past to taste the samples and mingle with other guests. This year, however, we are answering the call to be among some of the Findlay Market merchants who will provide samples in a special VIP tasting room. We wanted to prepare something healthy, light, fairly simple, and representative of Daisy Mae's. Yet, it needed to be attractive and easy to eat in a cocktail setting. With the help of Pinterest and Martha Stewart, I think I've found the perfect dish--baguettes with veggie sticks.
What do you think? Wouldn't this be great for a bridal shower, happy hour gathering, or buffet?

Don't Forget Your Roots

Photo from www.cincinnativiews.net

Our children have grown into twenty-somethings who have already exceeded any expectations we may have had for them. They have attended fine universities, found successful career paths, traveled, and met people from all walks of life. Consider us proud parents.
Along the way, I have occasionally reminded them (and will continue to remind them) to always remember their roots. It's important for anyone to stay connected to where they began. However, I think it may be even more important for those who are successful to remember where the seeds of success were planted.
I write about this as I think about the success of Findlay Market. Findlay Market started as an open-air market where local producers could bring their fresh produce, meat and poultry, and dairy products to market to sell. 160 years later, the market is flourishing and the vision for success continues to shine brightly.
However, I also see Findlay Market in transition. No longer is it solely a destination for grocery shopping, but the market has also become an attraction in and of itself. People visit to absorb the history, take in a special event, enjoy the music, or eat the food. Many people come just to take pictures!
We love our visitors, but we need to be cautious about the path down which we're headed. Findlay Market began as a source for local perishable goods. Over the years, the market evolved to include packaged foods and, most recently, prepared foods to eat-in or take-out. Many Findlay Market vendors offer both raw and prepared foods. Even Daisy Mae's now offers dried fruits and nuts, jams and jellies, and prepared salsas in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Currently, we have a nice balance at Findlay Market. My own observations are that about half the visitors come to shop for groceries and about half come for the experience, the event, or the attraction. Everything works great right now, but I hope we don't tip the scale too far in the direction of becoming just another place to mark off a bucket list. I hope I don't see an overwhelming number of visitors leaving without a shopping bag. Sure, make memories and take pictures. But also take something home. Don't forget our roots.