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!
State Of The Plate Deadline!
Hello, little local market of love customers!!
Just a quick reminder…if you plan to attend this year’s State of the Plate, time is of the essence!!
I am including a letter from the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce!!
Dear Chamber & Community Members,
Please make plans to join us at the 4th Annual State of the Plate Local Foods Dinner on Sunday, October 9 at the historic Wren Farm outside of Mechanicsburg.
This is a professionally catered dinner of locally grown food served in the historic Wren Barn; the occasion also provides attendees an opportunity to speak with and learn from the people who grew the meal’s ingredients.
We are excited to announce a new location this year! The Smith family will host this year’s event at their barn on Wren Farm (6150 State Route 187 just outside of Mechanicsburg).
Activities begin at 12:15 p.m. with registration and Market Time, which will feature samples and items for sale by local growers and producers. Opening remarks will start at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a local foods buffet co-catered by In Good Taste Catering and The Hippie & The Farmer.
During the dinner, local producers and pioneers of the local foods movement will talk about the beginnings, growth, and success of their food and beverage production businesses. The speakers will include Mark and Debbie Titus/Mad Sweet Heat, Amy Forrest & Lyndsay Murphy/In Good Taste Catering, Pam Bowshier and Mark Runyan/The Hippie & the Farmer, Paul and Grace Kurtz/Hemisphere Coffee Roasters, Heather and Ryan Hostetler/St. Ives Winery, and Amanda Douridas/The Ohio State University Extension. The event will end at 3 p.m.
Seating is limited! To make reservations and payment (cash, check, or credit cards accepted), please call the Champaign County Chamber at 937-653-5764 by TOMORROW on Wednesday, October 5.
Your reservation of $20 per person includes a full buffet with dessert and two tickets to select a glass of wine produced by Champaign County’s new St. Ives Winery. The event is being planned by The Champaign County Local Food Council, LLC, a cooperative effort of the Champaign County Chamber and Champaign Economic Partnership. The group’s goal is to help expand market opportunities for local food producers.
About Wren Farms
In 1845, the Wren brothers settled down on adjacent lots outside of Mechanicsburg. While Isaac Wren’s original house still stands, the barn burned to the ground in the 1950s. It was quickly replaced with the bank barn that stands in the same spot today. After many years of use housing livestock, the barn was renovated by Rick & Rita Anderson for their daughter Eva’s wedding reception in 2005. In 2013, Brian and Elizabeth Smith purchased the farm and currently rent the barn venue for receptions, reunions, and other large gatherings of up to 250 people. The Smiths are excited to welcome you as guests for this year’s State of the Plate Dinner!
Thank you for supporting our local producers and the growing local foods movement in our community. We look forward to your reservation!
Lydia Hess, Administrative Assistant
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & CVB
107 North Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 653-5764