The company joined the market because “CFAM has a great reputation”.  They fit in perfect with the mission of the market as they are the actual bee keepers, hand make every product and take great pride in being local, green, honest and responsible business owners.

While 2000 hives is a full time job, the family empire once operated over 10,000 hives across the state.  Interestingly, the bee keepers travel with the bees over 10 different states to help pollinate almonds, apples, cherries, cucumbers, melon, oranges, pears and pumpkins.  Then the bees return to Colorado and this is where the honey is collected for the market.

The busy bees create wildflower and orange blossom honey.  You may also purchased creamed honey, honey pearls, stix and even honey in bulk.  Health advocates can find bee pollen and natural body care products.  Of course, bees also make wax and this is used for beautifully fragranced candles, tea lights and “Magic Sticks” of pure wax which can be used for many household tasks.

Beeyond the Hive hopes to last for at least another 100 years.  They are passionate to keep healthy bees here in Colorado and help the agriculture in this state thrive and continue to advance.  When they are not tending to the bees, the family enjoys camping, fishing and riding four wheelers.  Stop by the Beeyond the Hive booth to learn more about the bees and slurp up some honey sticks.  You can also find more information on their easy to navigate website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Ivywild school is located at 1604 S. Cascade Ave, click our LOCATIONS tab for a map.

Bristol Brewing has relocated to the school and will be open for the duration of the market.  Come enjoy some brew on the patios while listening to local musicians.

The Meat Locker is a deli and charcuterie shop.  You may currently purchase sandwiches from the deli and soon they will offer fresh, house made sausages and hand-cut meats.  Follow your nose when they bring out the grill later on in the season.

The Old School Bakery will soon be open and offers breads and pastries.

The Principal’s Office offers Libations for the Troubled including a cocktail called the Catholic School Girl.

And there is still so much to come…

Hunt or Gather is a program of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation.  They will offer a one-stop healthy food resource that will provide broader access to healthy, local and regionally produced, chemical-free food, as well as educational opportunities highlighting the importance of real food.

We may also be able to bring CFAM to you year round with monthly off-season markets held in the gymnasium or hallways.

Don’t Smoke My Hat can design a custom hat for you with many color and style choices.  Most hats are made from a hemp or bamboo yarn resulting in the most comfortable “no-itch” hats you will ever wear.  Each hat comes with a custom band allowing for the perfect fit.  This year, Don’t Smoke My Hat is introducing a secret stash pocket on many hats for the storing of money, keys, medication, etc.

The hat styles at the booth mirror the seasons as well as the produce does.  In the beginning of the season, you will find light summer hats.  As the season winds down, you will find more cosy, warm hats.  You will also find hemp tees and eco-friendly hacky sacks in comical custom designed packages.

Do you have an idea for a hat?  Visit Kasey at the market and talk it over with her.  She has sold her hats all over the world and has 100% customer satisfaction.  Check out the Don’t Smoke My Hat website here and follow her on Facebook.

Rene is very knowledgable about the ancient cultural tradition of decorating the body with henna.  She uses Jamila Henna which is tested for purity (lawsonia inermis plant) and lawsone content (staining capacity).  The henna is mixed and packaged by Renee and can be turned into a paste by adding lemon juice, sugar and lavender oil.  The result is a very natural product that is safe for children 5 years and up and even pregnant women.  This is good to know, as pre-mixed henna kits can contain turpentine oil or PPD (“black henna”) which is so toxic it is illegal to apply to the skin in the US.

If you would like to try your hand at henna, you can purchase Renee’s own henna kits in a variety of fragrances.  They contain everything you need to apply henna at home.  For aftercare, Renee includes her own natural wax jelly which helps the designs last as long as possible.

Renee is a great example of the vendors at CFAM.  She is passionate about her art, knowledgeable about the craft and cares enough about you and the environment to create a safe and natural product.  The face painting has been a big hit so far and it is pretty fun to see the kids running around with big smiles!  You can visit the website for Badia’s Bazaar here or follow her on Facebook, where she has posted over 250 pictures of her artistry.  If you would like Renee to design some work for you or your excited child, look for her under the orange tent.

Recently, Christopher relocated to Colorado Springs for a new job.  He is still moving ahead with his hammock factory dreams and is passionate about cultivating true craftsmanship in the US.  Hoping to provide a job outlet to disabled Americans, Christopher is looking to close a venture capital deal soon and open the coop.

The weaving fabrics are throw aways from factories throughout the US and are repurposed into beautiful hammocks.  Soon, he hopes to be able to offer a choice of colors for custom made hammocks.  His current stock is quite vibrant and there are many pleasing color combinations from which to choose.

In addition to his entrepreneurial goals, Christopher enjoys swimming, aerobics, singing and playing the guitar.  You may hear him picking away while relaxing on a hammock at the market.  He is also working on the craft of Yurt making.  Recently, a Panamanian village visited Colorado and taught Christopher how to make these tent like structures.

By using repurposed materials and starting a local business he is a gold star member of CFAM.  Stop by for a relaxing rest on one of his hammocks, follow him on FaceBook or visit his website.

These markets will be held on June 1st and 8th at the Margarita at Pine Creek from 9am-1pm.  Regular market season starts on June 12th at our new Wednesday location, The Ivywild School on South Cascade Ave.

I have been a vendor with CFAM for the past three years as Nikki Stitch! a knit and crochet designer.  Just being a vendor, the market has changed my life is so many ways.  I no longer see food as something to eat, but as something to question.  The market has taught me to question what I buy and where I buy it.  I have a new love for my community and Colorado Springs in general.  I have gained so many life long friends, which I couldn’t thank CFAM enough for.

Q: Why were you interested in the Market Manager position?

When I heard that Amy was stepping down from the market manager position, I jumped at the opportunity.  My passion to keep this market successful is fierce.  My love for the local community, the vendors, the mission of the market, and everything that it stands for is the drive and the reason I have that title today.

Q: What new things do you expect at CFAM this year?

Of course, everything is new to me.  As for the market, I would like to introduce new growers, new artists, more education, a Fall Harvest Dinner, and (fingers crossed) monthly off-season markets.  The new Wednesday location, at The Ivywild School, promises new experiences and another demographic to reach out and educate.

Q: Where do you see the market going in the future?

In the future, I would like to see CFAM sponsoring community events, have public speakers featured during market hours, introduce hands on education at the market, and inspire more back yard growers to become vendors.  I want all of Colorado Springs to really be able to understand and recognize the difference between CFAM and the other markets in town.