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!
Brokedown Palace
Mama, mama many worlds I’ve come since I first left home…
(Grateful Dead – Brokedown Palace)
Hello, lovely local market of love customers!!
It’s Tuesday, already!! Where did the time go? It seems like I was just opening the market, Thursday night, and now we will be closing, for the week, tonight, at 10pm!! As always, I urge you to get those orders in!!
Make sure to take advantage of the last of the fall apples, begin thinking about your cold weather menu plans, the upcoming Thanksgiving menu plan…we have it all and we can rock it all, just for you and your needs.
As you all know, for over a month, I have been hitting the road for speaking engagements and presentations. Your assistant manager, Mark, has also been doing the same thing, with me, and together we have helped to promote this market, all vendors, ourselves, and how cross promoting works to everyone’s advantage. We have talked about operating as one big team, a big umbrella of local, and how each of you plays a huge role in this market’s success.
After speaking to the Union County Local Foods Council, last evening, I started to look back, over the years. All of this speaking has made me look back and reflect on both Cosmic Charlie, and this market. It’s fun to remember the early days. How time has a way of letting us find our way, build our way, guide our way.
This market is the best example of starting from the ground up, learning as we all paved the way, and watched as the market took on the life that we had always hoped it would.
How many roads we have traveled, how many worlds we’ve come since we first said, hello, to you.
Thank you, to each customer and vendor and the YMCA. As I silently went through each memory, last night, of this market, I was filled with love and pride. We could not have done it without all of you!!
Much love, and many thanks!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam