The third in a series of cooking demonstrations by the University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program was held at the Downtown Farmers' Market on July 26, 2012. Nutrition Educator Jessica Wilcox and Project Leader Pat Bebo demonstrated how to make an orzo pasta salad to the assembled shoppers. "This recipe uses locally grown vegetables like tomatoes, onions and asparagus," noted Wilcox who led the demonstration. The Downtown Market runs from the new Fall River Justice Center to Sullivan Drive next to Government Center  About a dozen farm stands as well as several craft vendors and a food booth from CD-REC operated while live music from the Nuevo Duo band. The market  runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each week from mid June through October. Other markets are available on Mondays at Saint Anne's Hospital, on Wednesdays at Ruggles Park, and Saturdays at Kennedy Park. Partners employee Annemarie Sharkey is available on Mondays and Thursdays to exchange EBT SNAP benefits for tokens that can be used with a number of the farmers at each of the markets. Click here for a video of the cooking demonstration. Click here for the recipe. Click here for more demos. Click here for photos of the opening day of the market. For more information about the Nutrition Education Program, contact Pat Bebo at 508-675-7315. 

(Top row, left) Karen Sullivan and Wendy Gonzales from the Southeastern Center for Independent Living purchase some produce from Susan Wood of Apponagansett Farm. (Top row, center) University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Educator Jessica Wilcox and Project Leader Pat Bebo prepare to do a cooking demonstratin as Rose Searle and Janet Pereira stand by. (Top row, right) Members of the Nuevo Duo band entertain the shoppers with some hit tunes. (Middle row) Ms. Wilcox demonstrates how to prepare an orzo pasta salad using fresh ingredients from local markets. (Bottom row, left and center) Ms. Bebo points out the free recipes as Olivea Correia and Alma and Joe Rezendes taste a sample. (Bottom row, right) Maria Coutinho of Coutinho Orchards in Berkley,checks out what Walter Comsieminski of Westport has to sell.