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!
Days Between
There were days…
and there were days…
and there were days between…
polished like a golden bowl…
the finest ever seen…
Hearts of Summer held in trust…
still tender, young and green…
left on shelves collecting dust…
not knowing what they mean…
valentines of flesh and blood…
as soft as velveteen…
hoping love would not forsake…
the days that lie between lie between…(Days Between-Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter)
Those of you who follow my Cosmic Charlie Facebook page or know me, in person, or know my business model, know of my love of The Grateful Dead. You also know that I am just finishing my own days between tribute to Jerry Garcia. Days Between is a Grateful Dead song and also describes, what Dead Heads have come to know, as the time span between Jerry’s birthday and the day of his passing. August 1-August 9…on these days, we remember, we cherish, we reflect..
In our everyday lives, aren’t we all living days between? Isn’t there always something that drives us from day to day? Aren’t there small memories, reflections, cherished moments that take us day to day? We mark milestones, we watch growth, we love, we mourn, we groove…all in days that fall into days, that eventually mark the days between.
This little local market of love is a perfect example of how we mark days between. We started out on a stepping stone, we slowly paved our way, we learned, we grew, we still grow and learn. We have expanded, we have become a county known name. We look back, we look at the here and now, and we continue to look forward and plan.
Yes, this market is a cherished little gem of many days between. Just like Jerry did for me for many years and still for many more years, this market inspires, grows, shows much love, and continues to weave it’s magic.
If you are our group of weekly local loyalists, we love and cherish you! If you use us occasionally, we love and cherish you, and would love to inspire you more often! If you are still standing on the sidelines, waiting, watching, and wondering what we are all about…this can be the start of your days between! Just make that first step to give us a try…
Thank you to each of you for making this market what it is…thank you for believing in the little local market of love…
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam