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!
Crazy Love
And when I’m returning from so far away…
She gives me some sweet lovin’ brighten up my day…
Yes it makes me righteous, yes it makes me feel whole…
Yes it makes me mellow down in to my soul…
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love…
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love…
(Van Morrison – Crazy Love)
Crazy love…it’s what I have for this little local market of love!! Crazy, over the top, dedicated kind of love. This market is such a labor of love, on so many levels. From the vendors to the customers to the YMCA to your market managers, we all have a crazy kind of love for this market.
Each week, I am reminded of why I volunteer as your market manager. Each week, I feel so much love and pride in this market. We have so many returning vendors now that the produce season is underway, so many of their amazing products, and it is so nice to greet them at check-in, and get emails and phone calls that they are returning.
This market is a family, of sorts. We all have our place in this family, we all pull our own weight, we all bring an equal amount of local love.
As you know, this past week, we welcomed, The Berry Patch back with Steven’s amazing strawberries!! Steven told us that we may only have the berries for three weeks!! This week, we say hello, again, to our friend, Kevin, from Davidson Family Farms!!! We still have asparagus but maybe only for one more week. Take advantage!!! We still have live herbs…but not for long!! The green garlic may be giving way to the garlic scapes, AND, we may even get strawberries from JC Growers!!
We’ve got it all, we keep it all local, we come to you, year round, AND, we do it with much love in our hearts!!
This past week was an amazing market with amazing numbers and sales!! Let’s see if you can top this week!!
I am opening the market, I urge you to take advantage of what is about to leave us while you indulge in what is coming on…
Give us some love…some crazy love…
Peace, Love, Good Vibes,
Cosmic Pam