In brief: Find local farmers market fare online

Today’s the first day area residents can place an order online for regionally grown vegetables, meats and other farm products for pick-up at a new Spokane location.

Northwest Farm Fresh, a Web-based farmers market, previously served the communities of Chewelah and Colville. Now, it’s expanding to serve Spokane and Spokane Valley.

Started in 2011, the site allows shoppers to select items online from 9 a.m. Wednesday through noon Monday, then pick up their orders in person between 3 and 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The pick-up for farm products ordered this week is Sept. 24.

Pick-up locations are Heather’s Fairy Tale Bakery, 576 N. Wynne St., in Colville; American Legion Post 54, 111 S. Park St., in Chewelah; and now Lasagna’s-On-Ya, 521 E. Holland Ave. No. 10, in Spokane.

The site’s more than 300 products include raw aged goat cheese, pasture-raised lamb, huckleberry jam, rosemary-goat milk soap, organic onions, zucchini, corn, basil and vanilla-lime lip balm.

For more information or to place an order, visit www.nwfarmfresh.com.

Potato research earns scholarship

A doctorate student from Washington State University has won a $10,000 research scholarship from the National Potato Council.

Rhett Spear, who is working toward his doctorate in horticulture, was given the award to support his research on 14 varieties of the russet potato, the country’s best-selling spud. He’s focused on finding alternatives to a leading variety that is susceptible to a major potato virus.

A father of three who grew up on a wheat and sugar beet farm in Southern Idaho, Spear is evaluating the varieties’ bruising resistance, yields, storability, taste, texture, aroma and smoothness.

The council gives one $10,000 scholarship per year for academic achievement, leadership abilities and potential commercial value of a student’s work. Potato growers from around the country contribute to the fund.

Potatoes are Washington state’s third-largest crop, following apples and wheat. Together, Washington and Idaho produce more than half of the country’s yearly supply, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Casino dish part of James Beard House

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort is being featured in James Beard Taste of America.

One dollar from each plate of the $18 Columbia River Steelhead with Smoked Honey and Huckleberries will go to the education foundation at the James Beard House.

The casino’s Sweetgrass, Red Tail and Chinook restaurants began serving the special dish Sept. 3. It will continue to be served through October.

The dish features brown sugar cured steelhead from the Columbia River, glazed with smoked local honey and garnished with wild huckleberries. It’s served with a choice of salad, side dish or roasted vegetables.

Along with the special dish, the casino is also participating in a contest. Top prize is $10,000 for the charity of the winner’s choice. The casino has chosen Big Table, dedicated to caring for restaurant and hospitality workers who are in crisis or transition.

The winner is determined by the most hashtag shares. The casino’s hashtag is #CDA.

For more information about James Beard Taste of America, visit jbftasteamerica.com.

For more information about the casino, visit www.cdacasino.com.