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Argyle Cheese Farmer | Say Cheese!

September 11, 2015 By marketeditor

As part of our new “Meet Your Farmers & Makers” series, here is a Q & A with Dave Randles (DR), of Argyle Cheese Farmer. Keep reading to learn more about Dave, his wife Marge and their incredible cheeses.

 

Dave-Argyle Cheese Farmer_2

 

(SFM) Where were you born?

(DR) “Glens Falls”

(SFM) What was the first album you bought?

(DR) “Something by The Carpenters.” 

(SFM) If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

(DR) “Definitely, Hamburg and Tater Tot Casserole.”

(SFM) What is your guilty pleasure (travel, food, recreation, etc.)?

(DR) “I don’t really have a guilty pleasure. But I really enjoy working with my friend Trish at the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.”

(SFM) What is your favorite book?

(DR) “Anything by Ken Follett.” 

(SFM) If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

(DR) “1970 – College, when I met me wife.”

(SFM) What does your perfect day look like?

(DR) “A day in the cheese house with no problems.” 

(SFM) If you could have dinner with anyone (past or present), who would it be? 

(DR) “My wife.”

(SFM) How do you recharge?

(DR)  “Sleep.”

(SFM) If you could have a super power what would it be?

(RD) “Unlimited energy would be great!”

 

More on Argyle Cheese Farmer:

From its petite-sized, sweet Greek yogurt assortment to the popular savory flavors of its cheese curds, Argyle Cheese Farmer has attracted a sizeable following with its high-quality dairy products. Argyle Cheese Farmer began when Dave and Marge Randles decided to move into the value-added dairy market to achieve greater return for the 50-cow Randles Fairview Farm in Argyle (Washington County), which has operated for more than 150 years. Cheese-maker Marge Randles uses milk produced from their hormone-free herd at the farm to create their high-quality yogurts and artisan cheeses.

 

The Argyle Cheese Farmer display at Saratoga Farmers’ Market typically includes a variety of products: cheese curds, wedges of hard cheese, blocks of feta, cheese spreads, traditional and Greek yogurt, yogurt-based smoothies and cultured buttermilk. The whole milk and Greek yogurt are based on simple ingredients: non-homogenized milk, five active cultures, and sometimes maple syrup or pure vanilla. In contrast to many supermarket brands, Argyle Cheese Farmer’s yogurt does not contain gelatin, fillers or high-fructose corn syrup. The large jars of yogurt are presented in recyclable, returnable glass containers, which many Market customers faithfully bring back each Saturday when they buy the next jar. Great for kids on the go or adults wanting a pre-portioned amount, they offer a snack-sized collection of Greek yogurt that comes in flavors such as Honey, Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry Rhubarb, Blueberry and Raspberry.

 

Dave and Marge also offer “schmear” which blends the farm’s Quark (a soft cheese similar to cream cheese), with butter, vegetables and spices. Suitable for spreading on crackers or a bagel, Schmear can also be used in place of butter on a baked potato, or as a topping for pasta. The farm recommends blending two of its harder cheeses, Mercy and Grace, for gourmet homemade macaroni and cheese. Grace is similar to Gouda; Mercy is a raw milk cheese that combines the sharp flavor of Cheddar with a smooth, creamy texture. Among the farm’s other hard cheeses are Havarti; Caerphilly – a mild, semi-firm cheese with a buttery texture; and Revival, based on a Scottish Cheddar.

 

Recently awarded a regional economic development grant by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Argyle Cheese Farmer has plans to expand their cheese making operation in the former Covidien building on Route 40 in Argyle, and add 15 employees over the next five years. Currently, the farm sells through area farmers’ markets and retail operations, and can be found at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, in High Rock Park, every Saturday under the middle pavilion.

 

This weekend, September 12th and 13th, their farm is a featured stop on the Washington County Cheese Tour. They’ll be offering tours of the cheese room, discussions with the cheese/yogurt maker, a tasting table, and MORE! For more information about the cheese tour or Argyle Cheese Farmer: visit www.washingtoncountycheese.com and www.cheesefarmer.com.

Filed Under: Featured Article, News

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Get ready to mushroom into a world of flavor at th Get ready to mushroom into a world of flavor at the Saratoga Farmers' Market! 🍄🌱 This week, we're thrilled to highlight the Mushroom Shop and their incredible selection of locally grown and harvested mushrooms. We spoke with owner's Jacob and Elysee to learn more.

Q: What are some of the health benefits associated with consuming mushrooms?

A: Mushrooms contain a multitude of medicinal compounds. The mushroom species Cordyceps militaris contains cordycepin, which increases your blood's ability to absorb and transport oxygen, improving exercise performance. Mukitake or Panellus serotinus possesses compounds that have shown in recent studies to improve liver function in people suffering from fatty liver disease. Reishi mushrooms improve immune health, warding off sickness and reducing inflammation. Other medicinal mushrooms include Turkey Tail, Chaga, Agarikon, Maitake, and Lions Mane.

Q: What inspired you to start selling mushrooms at the farmers' market?

A: We initially got our inspiration from a mushroom farm based in Tennessee called Mossy Creek Mushrooms. They have many videos on Youtube covering every aspect of operating a mushroom farm from building and maintaining equipment to harvesting and marketing mushrooms. Jacob has had an interest in growing mushrooms as a hobby for about eight years when he discovered a patch of oyster mushrooms growing in the wild. We got the opportunity to lease land in the beginning of 2021 and shortly after started selling at farmers’ markets.

Q: How do you recommend customers prepare and cook the mushrooms they purchase from you?

A: At our farmers markets we always provide printed recipes that utilize the mushrooms available during the current season. Like meat, mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as sautéing, roasting, and grilling to create a flavorful dish. One of our recent favorites is a Spicy Crispy Lion's Mane Sandwich- a thick slab of Lion's Mane mushroom battered and fried on a toasted bun with spicy mayo and pickles. This is a delicious take on a chicken sandwich made entirely of whole, natural produce. 

*Find the Mushroom shop year round at our Saturday markets!*

#saratogafarmersmarket
Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Join us on Saturday, March 25th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Saratoga Farmers' Market's International Flavor Fest in the Wilton Mall food court! 🎉 Indulge in frgál cakes, julekaker, burek, curries, samosas, and more, representing cuisines from all around the world! 🌎 There will be live music, family-friendly activities, and food tastings that will take your taste buds on a journey around the globe! 🎶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Plus, our friends at the World Awareness Children's Museum will be hosting a paper fortune cookie making session for the kiddos! Don't forget to pick up your passport for a chance to win a prize by filling it with stamps from market vendors! Let's celebrate our traditions, history, and community through the language of flavorful food! 😍🍴

 #InternationalFlavorFest #SaratogaFarmersMarket #FoodieAdventure #CommunityConnection
Join us tomorrow for our Saturday market! From 9:3 Join us tomorrow for our Saturday market! From 9:30-1:30 you can find all your favorite vendors in the Wilton Mall Food court. We’ll by joined by the Academy of Life Long Learning, AIM Services, and musician Lee Paquin. Hope you can make it!!!

Photos of: @squash.villa.farm , KOKINDA Farm, and @eurodelicaciesco by Graciela Colston

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #farmersmarket #agriculture #shoplocal
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is seeking donation The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is seeking donations to help improve our market and keep our nonprofit organization running. Your donation will be used for essential functions of the market as well as helping us reach more of our long-term goals for the community. We are looking for additional resources to expand our community offerings such as hosting family friendly events, programs and activities.

You can help us by donating via our GiveButter account (link in bio) or in person at the market via our market manager. Thank you for your ongoing support. We couldn’t do it without you! 

#saratogafarmersmarket #supportlocalfarmers #nonprofit #communitylove #givebutter

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