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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Another reason to shop!!! (Like you needed it, right?)


This post expired on November 12, 2023.

Good snowy morn’ to you! It looks as if old man winter has moved in for a bit so let’s embrace it and get to those indoor projects that had to wait until we stopped mowing the grass and tending to the garden. Pick up that knitting, finish that book, or start your holiday baking to get ahead of the game! And…win some dough! (Like the green kind, not the Cosmic kind!)

The market volunteers have been busy little elves and have decided it is time to thank those customers who are always there for us…the ones who we love to see coming to the Y on Thursday…the regulars who appreciate a local find when they see it! Want to join that group? It is easy! Come see us Thursday!

Here’s how it works (via our wonderful Charlene Stapleton of Swisher Hill Herbs)…

Free shopping at the Champaign Locally Grown Virtual Market for 4 lucky customers! Win a $25 shopping spree, because you belong to the virtual market! Starting Market day pick up Thursday, November 14, 2013, customers will put their name in a fish bowl when they pick up their products and the market managers will draw 1 name after the market day is closed. That lucky winner will have a $25 credit added to their account for the next week of shopping. This will continue for the first 3 market days in December: Thursday, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19. (The market will be closed the week of Thanksgiving.) There will be no cash refunds and the total $25 must be spent on products: everything like maple syrup, honey, baked goods, fresh produce, preserves, and lots of gift ideas. Watch for the weekly specials and save even more! Good luck to you all! (Sorry, vendors and their families are not eligible for this promotion.)

What a great idea Charlene! So, if you want the chance to roll it big, come see us Thursday when you pick up your order and bring your lucky rabbit’s foot, special shoes, or what ever else gives you special powers of luck!

Remember with the market closing the week of Thanksgiving, you have this week and next week to order before that turkey has to be on the table. You can always contact our vendors directly and see if they will work with you on an alternative plan for the week off but be sure to check your grocery list prior to waiting to the last minute just in case you need more syrup, honey, frozen or canned meats for easy meals, extra sweets or dip mixes for a hostess gift, or a special loaf of that awesome bread that can be so versatile.

We are so glad you shop with us! If you have never ordered, why not start this week? What have you got to lose?

Remember the market closes TONIGHT AT 8 PM so get those orders in quickly!

A special thanks to Pam, Charlene, Mark and Paul from the Y who spend so much time working to make the market better each week! Thanks a million! See you Thursday!