December 2009

Have a yen for scuppernongs? Or maybe you crave some smoked mullet? “A true Florida combination,” says Bret Tobey, manager of the Longleaf Farmers Market. Scuppernongs are semi-wild grapes that grow in Florida, Alabama, and South Georgia. They are a bulbous, bronze variety of the Muscadine grape family; they have seeds and a thick bitter skin, with a really sweet interior. Scuppernongsbination), along with many more local goods and produce can be found at the Longleaf Farmers Market, located on Town Ave. in Trinity’s Longleaf subdivision, off SR 54 and Starkey Blvd.

Now in its third season, the market is attracting more vendors who carry items that might not always be found in grocery stores. The market which re-opened in October usually closes for the season sometime in April, depending on the weather.

“It’s a great weekly community event,” says Tobey, who co-manages the market, along with his wife Brenda. The market, which is open after school hours from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, welcomes kids. “An extra hour was added to the Thursday schedule in response to many requests to stay open a little longer for folks on their way home from work.” There’s room for kids to play and run on the spacious grass lawn, and each week children’s activities such as parachutes, hula hoops and ring-toss games are featured. And, there are even local musicians providing live entertainment. Meanwhile, adults can shop for fresh local and organic produce, pierogi (stuffed dumplings with varying ingredients), flavored popcorn, gourmet cakes and baked goods, fresh local seafood, soups and stews, as well as flowers and plants.

Tobey says, “People want fresh food, they want to know where the food is coming from, and you get a chance when you’re at a market like this to look at the guy who [supplies] the vegetables and ask, how did you grow this? And when things are fresh, they just taste better. We intend to have some picnic facilities available for those who want to grab a bite and enjoy the market atmosphere.” Each Thursday, one table is reserved at the market for a local community group, whether it be a school, a club, or a sports group, and that particular organization can provide information and get its message across to the public.One can also find public service booths such as the Pasco County Health Department and the Florida Master Gardener at the market.

“The market [is a] food-focused community happening. Since vendors are part of that community, our obligation is to help their businesses grow, along with providing a strong community event,” says Tobey. The market currently has between 12 and 20 vendors each Thursday. There have been a number of parking and landscaping improvements and Tobey expects the market to be growing once again.

Market shoppers also have an opportunity to head across the street where they can get a cup of java or ice cream from The Town Ground; a pizza at Lonzalo’s; a glass of wine or a cigar at Frankie Maduros Cigar Lounge; browse the apparel at Longleaf’s Closet or the jewelry at Deluca’s. One can even drop off dry cleaning or get one’s hair done on the same block.

For more information, visit the Tobey’s website at www.longleafmarket.com call 375-1956 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Prospective vendors, or community groups interested in reserving a table, can find information posted on the website. The website will also indicate which vendors will be selling their goods at the market on the following Thursday. The Farmers Market will be closed on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

The Rotary Club of Trinity wanted to help Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. (YFA) make a difference for local youth, so they decided to organize a Cook ‘4’ Kids Program at RAP House. RAP House (Runaways Alternative Project) located at 7522 Plathe Rd. in New Port Richey is just one of YFA’s shelters that provide food, housing and counseling services to runaway children (ages 10 – 17) in a nine-county Florida area. The majority of chronic runaways are victims first, but when left on the street with no legitimate way to acquire food and shelter, they sometimes become part of street-survival crimes, such as drug dealing and prostitution.

The Cook ‘4’ Kids Program, which was spearheaded by Trinity Rotary club member Barry Poppel, allows Trinity Rotarians and their family members to prepare home-cooked meals on the third Thursday of every month at RAP House. Poppel coordinates the program with a monthly sign-up sheet. Four team members are assigned to one of the following: a main entrée, salad, starch (potato, pasta), vegetables, bread, or dessert. Using RAP House’s cookware, the group cooks enough to serve up to 15 youths.

“We discourage pre-cooked meals. One of the purposes of this event is the camaraderie established by preparing the meal together. In addition, we hope that our home-cooked meals will give these kids a sense of love and caring from the community as well as make their stay at the RAP House more comfortable,” says Poppel.

About 85 percent of the shelter’s expenses are met through state and federal grants. RAP House does all it can to collect the rest from the community and is always accepting donations in the way of food, clothing, toiletries, linens, blankets and cash. The shelter also receives a small amount of funding to provide a set menu by the Department of Education for breakfast and lunch (approximately $1.25 for breakfast and $1.75 for lunch per child).

RAP House Program Director, Andy Coble, says that the Trinity Rotary cooks allow the kids to enjoy a variety of dinners and higher quality meals than the shelter can provide with their current funding. “The kids look forward to that one night a month visit from the Trinity Rotarians and are grateful for the kindness of strangers,” says Coble. “Many of these kids haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time and they love trying new things. One teen heard that fajitas were being served and asked what they were.”

The Rotary Club of Trinity challenges other businesses and organizations to step up to the table and volunteer one night per month; others are invited to come learn more by observing one of their dinners. The Rotary Club of Holiday recently hopped on board to cook on the first Thursday of each month. “This is really a win-win situation for everyone,” explains Poppel. “The kids love it and look forward to our night because they get to have a home-cooked dinner. It helps relieve the RAP House with their budgeted expenses and our Trinity Rotarians love doing it. What a simple, inexpensive way to make that one evening special for those 15 children in just a couple of hours!”

Note: The next 5k Rap River Run/Walk —now a yearly tradition— will again take place at Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey on Sat., June 12, 2010.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Trinity and the Cook ‘4’ Kids Program, contact Becky Bennett at 967-7509 or visit www.trinityrotary.org. Parents or teens in need of support in Pasco County, or who would like more information about RAP River Run, call YFA’s RAP House shelter at 835-1777.

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