Greens, reds & gossip at the market

You had to look for them, but tasty treats, including this asparagus and field grown red lettuce, could be found at today's farmers' market in Monument Square . I also saw more lettuce varieties, rhubarb and chives for sale among the seedlings and flowers. I didn't see any fiddleheads, but they were available inside the Public Market House.

While I was shopping, I ran into Dan Sripasert, one of the owners of the Green Elephant, and he told me the restaurant is now doing a Sunday brunch from 10:30 am-1:30 pm. It features Thai style dishes, including a tofu scramble. I'll have to check it out.

Summer beer gossip

A little birdie told me that Peak Organic is cooking up a new brew for summer. Following on the heels of its breakfast-themed spring brew (Maple Oat), the Portland-based brewery's summer reads like a warm weather sorbet: Pomegranate Wheat Ale with Acai. Wow! It sounds delicious. And not only is its beer organic, but it's vegan too. Can't wait to taste it.

No word yet on when it will hit stores ...

Spelt Right helps kids eat better

Last night I heard some encouraging news about the state of school food. It seems Beth George who runs Spelt Right bagel company in Portland is working with the Scarborough School system to evaluate the link between low-quality cafeteria food and the sky-rocketing costs of special education. George started the bakery after discovering that her son's erratic behavior and digestive problems were caused by the wheat, artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils in his diet. Once they were gone, he got better. As an attorney who's advocated for children with similar issues, she's witnessed this link between behavior and diet on numerous occasions. Now she's working to bring that information to people who can make a difference in kids diets.

It only makes sense that if schools spent more money serving locally-grown, whole foods (instead of the mystery meat and overly processed junk the USDA likes to dump on them), the need for special education (where schools can spend upwards of $100,000 a year on one student) will decline. And that sounds like a win-win for Maine taxpayers and farmers.

Caiola's plans brunch

I hear West End gem Caiola's plans to start serving brunch on Mother's Day.

Greendrinks

I hear there's a hot party on tomorrow night at Maple's Gelateria in the Old Port. Greendrinks promises natural networking, free drinks and whispers of free gelato.

Macro gossip

Green Elephant is planning to roll out a macrobiotic menu soon. Stayed tuned for details...