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!
Way Down Yonder In The Paw Paw Patch
Because you knew it was coming…because of this big news from Valley View Woodlands!!
I wanted to let our fellow market members know that Valley View Woodlands has just listed our pawpaws for the first time. Our pawpaw orchard is finally coming into maturity, and this is our first real harvest. The varieties we planted were selected for size and taste. I’m sure anyone who tastes them will agree—they are delicious! They are currently the world’s hottest food trend. In recent months they have been featured in many articles, including a cover story in a gourmet magazine.
Eaten fresh with a spoon, or used to make ice cream, mousse, or smoothies, people love the banana-mango flavor. Check the market for an ice cream recipe. It’s a tropical treat we can grow right here in Champaign County. The colorful pulp is very nutritious, ranking with oranges and bananas in vitamins and minerals. It is also loaded with anti-oxidants. There is also currently research going on involving pawpaws’ cancer-fighting properties.
One other exciting note is that by next week we hope to have pawpaw trees for sale. These are trees we have grown from seed. We will feature grafted varieties—they are grafted like apples to propagate known improved cultivars. Seeds collected from our orchard will also be available so that folks can start their own trees. We will send out another notice when they are available.
Thanks to our fellow market members for their support!
Marc Stadler
Valley View Woodlands!!