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!
Your Song
And you can tell everybody this is your song…
It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done…
(Elton John – Your Song)
Your Song…everyone has a song inside of them, yes? I like to think so. I like to think that no matter what, each of us, has a song to sing, a tale to tell, and story to share. This is what I love about people, about life…I love the history and richness and colorful songs that we all have inside.
This song always reminds me of a little dimly lit bar that I used to frequent when I lived in Los Angeles. It was an old school bar that housed a piano and a piano singer. Not the trendy piano bars of today. This was a red velvet, smoke filled, mirrored walls kind of piano bar.
I had a friend who would fly in from London, we would hit the out of the way spots off of Melrose, buried away, and discuss life, the city,life, where life was taking us. This little bar was a perfect place for inspiration. You went there to drink, to listen, to plan, and to get your own song out…because everyone has a song.
This little local market has become my song, of late. I have been singing it’s praises, all over. Along with your two assistant managers, we have all been out and about, singing your praises, getting the word out.
Recently, I have been hitting the speaking circuit with your assistant manager, Mark, from Oakview Farm Meats.
Charlene continues to sing your praises and our market fun to the physical markets and all who she comes into contact with.
We all have a song, we all have a story, and we are all about singing it out, singing it proud, and singing loud about this market.
Today found Mark and me at Urbana University. Friday, we travel to the University of Dayton for the Montgomery Food Summit. On Monday, we travel to Union County to speak to their local food council. It’s exciting times, and there is plenty to sing about!
Be excited, be proud, and get involved in being a part of this market! I cannot sing the praises of this market, enough!! I find myself talking, at great lengths, out to the masses, about this market.
Please, take a minute, find your song, find what drives you, find your passion…and sing it to the world.
If you are a market customer, I am now singing the praises to you…our loyal customers are out in full force, this week, but you know what…we have an AMAZING amount of new, first time customers!! Our family grows, expands, sings their songs.
It is Monday evening, you have time to sit and make this your ONE STOP, EVERYTHING STOP to shop for the week!!! We now offer it all…for you…we can do it all while you are out singing your song…
A few things to point out….
Frozen red raspberries have been added by Champaign Berry Farm!!
Lovely carrots have been added by our End Of The Road Farm!!
Gift boxes have started to make the scene for your holiday gift buying!!
Give us a look, sing us your song, join in the local family…
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam