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!
The Look Of Love
That’s the look, that’s the look…
The look of love…
(ABC – The Look Of Love)
So, this past weekend was the graduation of the Cosmic Co-Ed, who is now the Cosmic Graduate? Anyway, sitting at the ceremony, crying, and feeling so proud of my daughter, I listened to the speeches as they spoke about many things that come with being an alumni of EKU. It made me think of my own EKU pride, my own reflections back to the some of the most amazing times, amazing bonds, and amazing memories and accomplishments.
I graduated in the mid 1980s. I remember it like it was just yesterday. The college years, the music, the sorority, the clubs, the friends, the classes..as we left the ceremony, on Friday, with the excitement of the day, the many hugs with the graduates that I have grown close with, over the past four years, big hugs to my own graduate, and many memories, I took a quick buzz through the campus, one last time. I took a buzz through the pretty little college town. I remembered each downtown place, each club, each hangout. 80’s music was blasting in my brain. And, this song totally summed up my thoughts, my goodbye, my closure. Will I go back? Yes, I will be back for homecoming festivities, sorority alumni functions, but to actually make trips down to be with my daughter, no, not so much.
Anyway, this song also has popped into my brain to describe my day, yesterday, after scouting out multiple surrounding county farmers’ markets. I am not going to name the counties or the markets. It was for an education, of sorts. Research. But, in the midst of this, I stumbled on some very amazing findings.
The Look Of Love…our little local market of love. This sentiment never rang more true…
After the research, I would like to give the vendors of this little local market a HUGE dose of love!!! And, of thanks!!!
Hands down, the products offered on this market are superb to some that I ran into on my research frenzy. The vendors of this market? OMG…you are the best!!!!! You sell your booties off, you are SO customer friendly, your products sell on their own but our customer base LOVE seeing your smiling faces, when they can, with your products. Price points? TOTAL love fest, here!!! Your prices and your dedication to making sure you keep your prices at an affordable price point for our customers are what makes this market soar!!! The product offerings on this little local market of love? Totally blows other markets out of the water!!
So, as market manager, fellow vendor, market cheerleader, I thank vendors and customers from the bottom of my heart!!! Pride, love, pricing, product quality…you do it all, you do it with the look of love, and you make this market what it has become!
The look of local was never filled with so much LOVE…
The market is open, the products are outstanding, the seasonal products will be short lived, and we would love to show you what local love looks like!
Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam