Thanks to Keany Produce, we get fresh produce like our broccoli every single day.  This local and family-owned produce supplier is also a Sweetlife Festival sponsor this year.  Because of Keany’s vast distribution network, they will work with our local farmers to bring you an on-site Sweetgreen Farmer’s Market Experience at the Sweetlife Festival.

Dupont Circle: Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market on Sundays

Bethesda: Bethesda Central Farm Market on Sundays

Ballston: Clarendon’s Metro Farmers Market on Wednesdays

Capitol Hill: Eastern Market on Saturdays and Sundays

Its that time of the year: sweet corn is abundant at farmers markets. When most people think of eating a good piece of corn on the cob, they immediately imagine hot corn just boiled or grilled and slathered in butter. While there’s nothing wrong with that, next time try it RAW! That’s right, you can eat it directly off the cobb without cooking it. The first bite is completely unexpected as you get a mouthful of super sweet crisp corn. Literally, just shuck it, wash it , and BITE it. So shucking good.

You can also use sweetcorn off the cob, just slice it off and use it in this recipe.

Raw Sweet Corn & Avocado Salad
3 large ear of raw sweet corn
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 large ripe tomato, diced
2 Tblsp. parsley, minced
2 Tblsp. of cilantro, minced
1/4 cup sweet red onion, chopped
2 ripe avocados, cubed.
2 Tblsp of fresh lime juice
2 Tblsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of chili powder

Wash all vegetables, remove kernels of corn from cob and combine with all other ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

-Nic

5 questions and some cool answers to help you get up close and personal with our very own Sourceress, Erin Teal Littlestar!

SG. Where are you from?

Sourceress. I was born near Houston, TX but grew up in Sarasota, FL. I still consider myself a Texan, though. You can take the girl out of Texas…

SG. What’s your favorite season?

Sourceress. I love that fleeting time between summer and fall, when tomatoes are still coming in by the bushel, and winter squash and pumpkins are just perfectly ripe to be picked. Just when you feel like the blistering heat will never end, suddenly you get that first cool day that signals the start of autumn. It’s the harvest season on vineyards, and it’s my lifelong dream to stomp wine grapes with my feet.

SG. You only eat local food… why?

Sourceress. Over the past couple of years, I became very concerned about where my food was coming from. Once I started to get to know my farmers, it became clear this was a much better way to eat – for myself and for my community. Also, the food is just so much better. If for no other reason, people should eat local food for its glorious taste!

SG. What’s been your most adventurous experience?

Sourceress. Either going to South America by myself for 5 weeks not knowing a single word of Spanish, or cliff jumping into the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe (which, as I learned immediately afterward, was chock full of angry hippos and crocodiles). I’m going to New Zealand for 2 weeks in a few days, so maybe I’ll come back with even better ones! (Bungee jumping in Queenstown?!)

SG. So, how did you end up being a sourceress?

Sourceress. It’s been a winding road! I have a degree in Cinema-Television, so my formal education certainly didn’t get me here. Basically I just kept focused on what I love to do – working with farmers and local food – and eventually I got paid to do it. It began at DC Central Kitchen where I piloted the local buying program. Then sweetgreen found me… and the rest is history!

This past Sunday, sweetgreen threw an awesome block party in Dupont Circle.  Over 200 people showed up for the launch of our BARCODE_ campaign and to celebrate the coming of the fall harvest.  US Royalty had an epic performance as the sun set and Chris Burns and Ari of Beautiful Swimmers spun funky jams that were perfect for the crowd.  Check out all the photos below and be sure to scan our barcodes to for possible prizes and giveaways in the future.

US Royalty Concert

Lululemon Yoga Demo

Chris Burns x Ari Goldman

Tim shredding the tasty barrel

so pitted…

SFM – (SweetFLOWMobile)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photos By Jasmin Larian, Olivia Wolfe and Lucas Pierce