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!
What a beaut!
This post expired on April 07, 2023.
Wow is it grand outside or what? Beau-ti-ful! I’m writing to remind you the market is open and awaiting to be used. Please check it out and seek something new or different for your table.
I have been a total slacker in reminding those that plant their own garden that the calendar is upon us for a couple of plantings. I always take my father’s advice, who took his father’s advice, and planted his peas on St. Patrick’s Day and his potatoes on Good Friday. Time seems to have flown by this spring and I have yet to get a thing in the ground. I will have to play catch-up for certain, at least to make my father’s schedule which is a good one to follow and one that I hear many others do as well. They grew their food because there were no groceries close by or money to spare. It sustained their families (and those they shared it with too) unlike these days when I can really call it a hobby instead, although we still do a lot of sharing!
Speaking of sharing, don’t forget to consider planting an extra row for donation to a shelter or pantry for those in need. A few years back we helped to promote “Plant a Row for the Hungry” which started as a project of the American Garden Writers I believe back in 1999. The purpose is just to remind folks that planting a bit extra can go a long way and what better food to share than healthy, fresh, homegrown goodness from your garden! Anyway, please consider others when you start digging in the dirt this year and in the future. Our suggested donation site is the Caring Kitchen in Urbana but any pantry will be glad to see you coming, especially with nutritious offerings which are so needed.
It is a good time to get your cool weather crops in the ground which are cold tolerant, even to frosts. I picked up a flat of brussel sprouts last night, some kale and cabbage too. I am not sure when I’ll have a block of time to get them in but hopefully in the next few days. You’ll want to hold off on anything like your tomatoes or peppers until after our last frost date (used to be May 17th I think but I’ll confirm that for us) those will be good to put out too. Even if it is just planting in a container, try something new. True growth happens by stepping out of our comfort zones and “expanding horizons”! Now if I can just get rid of the new rabbits I keep seeing….
As my technical helper advised (my ten year old daughter did this for me), be sure to add our market to your home screen so you can go right to us anytime. Go to the website toolbar, find the square with the arrow coming out of it and click it. Select the option “add to home screen” and name it something of your choosing. The icon should pop up with your other icons for easy shopping.
Have a great week and we are so glad you are with us!
Http://Champaignoh.locallygrown.net.