July 22-28, 2004

food

offthemenu

by Juliet Fletcher

Eating more fruit and vegetables — that's a wishful plan for most people, and much harder still for the elderly. Though farmers markets have sprung up in most areas of the city, making availability greater than ever, there's still the matter of expense.

Realizing that fresh produce is an essential part of diet for seniors, but that it has traditionally been more expensive than other foods, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging set about providing a stop-gap measure for those in greatest need.

Using funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, PCA launched an initiative five years ago offering vouchers redeemable at local farmers markets. Philadelphia residents over 60, earning no more annually than $17,224 per individual or $23,107 per married couple, are eligible for four $5 vouchers or "checks"; these must be redeemed by Nov. 30 and, needless to say, are only good at farmers markets. The full list of the 27 markets that will accept them can be obtained from PCA, and include El Mercado at Front and Berks sts., Firehouse Produce at 701 S. 50th St., at Baltimore Avenue, and Reading Terminal Market, where volunteers will be on hand to sign up individuals Wed., July 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The funding will assist roughly 36,750 people. For more information, call PCA at 215-765-9040.

In Short:

George Kyrtatas, of Hathaway's restaurant in Cinnaminson, will be hyping things Greek-related, just in time for the Athens Olympics. He'll host a special evening of recipes taken from his book, My Big Fat Greek Feast, at Philadelphia Fish & Co. (July 23, 5-11 p.m., 207 Chestnut St., 215-625-8605). Dishes on hand may include his specialties such as ouzo and melon soup, or lemon roasted chicken.

Just down the street from Adriatica, his Chestnut St. seafood joint, Mustapha Rouissiya has opened a coffee, ice cream and sandwich shop, The Rendezvous (213 Chestnut St., 215-922-5554). The menu includes salmon and asparagus salad with tarragon cream, Moroccan tea (as served in Rouissiya's Figs) and a "five dollar" ice cream milkshake that costs just $3.75.

Abbraccio, the West Philly Italian spot that will celebrate its first birthday this weekend, has a lively way of showing it. July 23-25, there'll be grilling on the outside porch as well as the regular dishes, plus live performers each night: Herman Giersch (music teacher at Bala Cynwyd Middle School) and group perform "Three Generations of Sultry Ballads," Friday, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Nana Akosua Baakan Agyiriwah's a capella group, Voices of Africa, Saturday, 9:30 p.m.: Ted Estersohn, the "Strolling Troubadour," Sun., 11:30 a.m.