Chef Paul Correnty of the Harvard Public Schools prepares soup at last Saturday’s Farmers’ Market as part of a special event sponsored by the Vegetarian Times magazine. (Photo by Sue Fitterman)

Harvard schools’ chef and advocate for local foods Paul Correnty ladled out steaming cups of his harvest vegetable soup to an appreciative crowd at the Harvard Farmers’ Market last Saturday, when he teamed up with Vegetarian Times lifestyle magazine as part of the VT’s 2008 Farmers’ Market Tour. A serving from “Chef Paul” always comes with a warm smile and, in this case, included fresh bread from market vendor The Biscuit.

Ashley Miller, marketing manager for healthy lifestyle magazines Vegetarian Times and Yoga Journal, handed out reusable turquoise shopping bags containing a copy of the September Vegetarian Times issue, along with various product samples from company sponsors.

“We did market visits in Seattle, Hollywood, and Denver and wanted to have an East Coast presence,” said Miller, who was impressed with the Harvard market from its website, www.harvardfarmersmarket.com. “I just felt it would be a great market to get into,” she added, lamenting that a red-eye flight from California the night before and a return that evening prevented her from seeing more of Harvard.

“Having Vegetarian Times select us as one of four markets they visited on their 2008 nationwide farmers' market tour is really rewarding,” said Amy Sklar, the market’s public relations manager. “We have worked hard to establish the Harvard Farmers’ Market as a major market drawing patrons from numerous area communities.”

Referring to Chef Paul’s food demonstration at the Market, she added, “We are interested in repeating this type of event throughout the season next year.”