From The Gainesville Sun

Stinson Curry
Staff writer

Shoppers can buy local produce and get healthy cooking tips from a top chef at the Union Street Farmers Market Wednesday in downtown Gainesville.

Well-known local chef and TV personality Bert Gill will demonstrate how to cook seasonally and affordably using fresh ingredients grown by area farmers. The demo will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at the EBT booth operated by Florida Organic Growers.

Christine Hale, director of education and outreach for Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc., said she doesn't know what's on the menu, but Gill will use winter vegetables such as collard greens and broccoli during the cooking demo.

“A lot of people already cook with these vegetables at home, but our goal is to teach them how to cook in a more healthy way,” she said. “There will be lots of samples to provide for everyone so we're hoping the community, especially our low-income residents, can come out and learn how to eat seasonally because when you do that it's usually less expensive because all the farmers are growing the same things right now.”

Gill has worked in restaurants since 1985 and has been the executive chef of Mildred's Big City Food since 1999. Gill and his wife own Mildred's Big City Food, The New Deal Café, Ti Amo! Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar and Blue Gill Quality Foods. He has appeared weekly on local television demonstrating cooking techniques and unique produce from local suppliers. He currently has segment called “Food for Thought” on Gainesville's GTN News.

The county funded FOG through Sept. 30, 2011 to provide EBT technology at the Union Street Farmers Market (3-7 pm Wednesday) and Saturday Alachua County Farmers Market (8:30 am-noon). For more information about the EBT project, visit www.foginfo.org/farmersmarket.php, call 377-6355 or e-mail education@foginfo.org.