Market Hours:
Tuesdays,
4pm – 8pm,
year round

(for those who love
shopping by the season)

Artichokes
Asparagus
Avocado
Basil
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumber
Dates
Green Beans
Kumquats
Mushroom
Mustard
Nectarines
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Turnips

For a more detailed list of what is in season now visit www.nrdc.org/health

Are you or anyone you know interested in joining the Farmer’s Market as a vendor?
Great sponsorship opportunities also exist. Contact us at farmersmarkets
@ggp.com. Please include Otay Ranch Town Center in the subject line.

Dear Friends,

Earth Day is almost upon us. However, many of us subscribe to the belief that “everyday is Earth Day.” At Otay Ranch Town Center, we strive to incorporate a greener way of operating our property and thought this might be a good time to share some of our efforts and offer our continued thanks for supporting the farmers and vendors who collectively contribute to a greener and healthier community.

Trash Recycling – Each service court has bins designated for recycling paper and cardboard, plastic (wrap or other), styrofoam (including packing and peanuts), and metal hangers. Tenants are educated through a collaborative process with our trash service vendor. Our last report indicated that we are diverting 58% of the waste from the mall and recycling it.

Reclaimed Water – We now irrigate our mall landscape with reclaimed water. This allows us to use water that has been reclaimed and purified to a state where it can be re-used for irrigation purposes. Using this water instead of potable water (drinking water) conserves this very limited resource. Reclaimed water costs approximately 25% less, which contributes to operational cost savings for the mall and its tenants.

Energy Conservation – We control our energy costs by use of a sophisticated Energy Management System that controls our lighting schedules and adjusts automatically to daylight saving time changes. We also install energy efficient lamps in our fixtures.

Wildlife Designation – Otay Ranch Town Center was designated a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation in 2008. This means we have food, shelter, water and a place to raise young for natural habitants in the surrounding area.

Sincerely,
Tim Colby, Sr.General Manager
Otay Ranch Town Center

Ten Tips for Living More Sustainably

(ARA) - Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously. From reducing your water usage to buying local or organic, here are 10 simple ways to make this the year of sustainable living:

1. Use water more efficiently: Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels, largely unheard of even a decade ago, are becoming a popular way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening. Meanwhile, conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a difference at a time when many communities are experiencing water shortages or are expressing concerns about water overuse.

2. Compost: Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter.

3. Seek earth-friendly packaging: To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging. Snyder's of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced a new Pretzel Variety Sack of 100-Calorie Pretzels in the market's first 100 percent compostable outer package made from 100 percent renewable cornstarch-based plastic. The new Variety Sack includes a special logo indicating that the bag can be composted and is made with sustainable materials. In addition to that example, more manufacturers are switching to cardboard packaging materials, which are made from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted.

4. Buy local, embrace organic: Many farmers, ranchers and, increasingly, food manufacturers, are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmer's market tomato, a local dairy's milk, an organic snack food or any number of natural or organic items. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability.

5. Go to seed: Take the locally grown movement a step further - like in your own backyard or patio. An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits. You don't need a large tract of land to start a small garden.

6. Ride out the trend: Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn't all that far away. Add a basket to a bike or take along a backpack to bring something back home.

7. Re-recycle: Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes?

8. Plug in: Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently. For example, use cold water in the washing machine: clothes will still be cleaned, without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when not in use, whether it's the television, video game player or radio. Better yet, completely unplug. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Instead, use a power strip to cut power completely when not in use.

9. Lighten up: Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn off lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget.

10. Get involved: As the sustainability movement gains traction among the public, there are more opportunities to join in. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members.

Asparagus & Grilled Shiitake with Soy Vinaigrette
Makes 8-10 servings

2 T extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 T soy sauce
1 T fresh lemon juice
1 T rice vinegar
2 T chopped tarragon
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds shiitake mushrooms, stemmed
2 pounds thin asparagus

Heat a grill to medium heat. In a small bowl, mix 2 T oil with the soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper. Brush the mushrooms with 2 T of the soy vinaigrette; season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat, turning once until just tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl; cut any large ones into quarters. Add 4 T of the soy vinaigrette and toss to coat.

Bring a large skillet of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the asparagus to the skillet and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.

Snap the asparagus bottoms off and then arrange the asparagus on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the mushrooms over the asparagus, drizzle the remaining vinaigrette on top and serve.

Courtesy of the North Bay Farmers Markets Cookbook written by Brigitte Moran with Amelia Spilger.

Asparagus Spring Onion Soup
Servings: Minimum of 10

10 cups local asparagus stems (You can use the entire stem.)
3 cups spring onions julienned
1 T minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
4 qts. chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 cup white wine
1 bunch chives
1 bunch tarragon
1 bunch parsley
1 cup blanched spinach
1 cup heavy whipping cream

In a large pot, cook asparagus stems, onions, garlic, wine, salt and pepper on low heat, covered. Do not brown the vegetables. Take a large whisk and smash the contents of the pot. This will help release all the natural flavors from the asparagus. Add cream and steep for 1 hour. Strain and cool. Place the chives, parsley, tarragon, spinach and chicken or vegetable stock into a blender and puree. Strain this into the cooled asparagus cream.

Garnish this soup with a julienne of roasted red pepper and asparagus tips tossed with jumbo lump crab and fresh herbs or leave off the crab if you prefer.

Serve warm or chilled.

Courtesy of Anthony Gray, High Cotton Restaurant

Do you have a favorite seasonal recipe? Submit your seasonal favorite and you could win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card. Please include your contact information. Submit here.

Lipton and the Rainforest Alliance

At Lipton, we understand the need for sustainability. But what—exactly—does sustainability entail? The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as that which "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

That's a tall order, but as the world's leading tea producer, we are committed to sourcing all of our tea from sustainably-managed farms. That's why we're proud that our Kericho, Kenya estate has been Rainforest Alliance Certified™. And we expect that by 2015, all Lipton tea bags sold globally will have been grown on Rainforest Alliance Certified™ estates.

The Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit conservation organization that works to conserve biodiversity and protect the rights and welfare of workers, their families and communities. Farms that meet the standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), an international coalition of leading conservation groups, are eligible to earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal. Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms balance the three aspects of sustainability that conserve the environment, protect the rights and welfare of workers, their families and communities and help farms to operate efficiently and cost-effectively.

Q: Which country's population drinks the most iced tea? China or the United States.
A: Americans drink more iced tea than any people in the world.

Q: Which beverage counts toward the recommended 8 glasses of hydration per day? Water or Tea.
A: Both. Tea is a great source of fluid and does not lead to dehydration.

Q: Which can protect your teeth? Milk or tea
A: Both can, but in different ways. Milk is a source of calcium which is an important mineral for building strong bones and teeth. Tea is a source of fluoride, a mineral that protects teeth by strengthening tooth enamel and combating cavities.

Q: As part of a healthy lifestyle, and due to antioxidant content, how many cups of black tea per day does research suggest may help maintain a healthy heart? One or three.
A: 3 cups

BERRY-PEACH TEA