The Weblog

The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:

Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!



 
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Tell a friend, tell a neighbor!


This post expired on February 18, 2023.

As I attended an inspirational event yesterday which discussed the increasing demands on the world’s food supply, I was reminded that we are on the right track with this whole local food discussion. The best option is to grow your own of course, which many of you do. Secondly, and this is the part where we come in, you can purchase your food locally from trusted growers. We strive and will continue to strive to assist you with both of these options. By hosting events like farm tours and other educational opportunities, we will help you to learn more about producing your own if interested and growing a stronger relationship with those that can provide items for you.

Did you know that Champaign County used to grow almost everything: tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries…you name it! Harold Watters, a former local staffer with OSU Extension, said we would be amazed at how well many of those items did here. We know our soils will support these items but we have many other reasons they just aren’t grown here anymore. I would like to change this and encourage the growth again of these items. We’ll talk more about how I think we can learn to do this again later.

To do this though, we need to continue to support both financially and emotionally the growers/producers that we do have who already stick their necks out year after year, through drought and hail, changing climates, increasing input expenses, and more. Supporting a farmer means money paid stays here at home in our local economy. It doesn’t get shipped overseas. It circulates here and allows them to reinvest in us: maybe expanding into another vegetable or fruit, buying newer equipment that improves efficiency of harvesting an item, or just allowing them to repair something that was broken. Every dollar counts. With each dollar you share with them, they are helping us. I know it was overused for many years but as a science geek myself, synergistic relationships benefit both parties. That is what I think of when thinking about the relationship between the farmer and the consumer. Both are better with the other around!

So I’ll get off my soapbox and just ask you to share our website with a friend or neighbor. Tell someone why you feel supporting your local food system is important. Recommend a particular vendor and share your favorite items. As the bumper sticker says, “No Farms, No Food”. That is the truth. My guess is you ate something today, and I’ll bet you’ll do it tomorrow too, so please consider shopping local when at all possible. It matters.