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!
Fields
To Sway Like Flowers In A Field…
(Fields- Great Wide Open)
So, you know I love all that there is to love about local, and tonight’s Weblog opens with a lyric from one of my favorite local bands. And, I have many favorite local bands. In fact, this area is just rich in local musical talent.
This past weekend was an amazing example of that, up in Mutual, at the annual Madden Road Music Festival. A gathering of local music, local foods, and local love.
Anyway…this song is so pure, so beautiful, and it reminds me of days just like the day we had, today.
I love sitting out on my back deck, having morning coffee or evening wine, watching the beauty that is the sun, the sky, the fields behind me, the clouds, taking it all in…watching the fields all sway, watching the colorful beauty of it all.
It makes my heart happy in those moments. It makes me so happy that so very many years ago, for whatever the many reasons, I ended up in Champaign County. I may not have been born and raised in this area, but I love it as if I was, I support all local loveliness, and I love being a part of the local fabric.
I had a local foods council meeting, this afternoon, as we prepare for our third annual State Of The Plate event. I love being a part of the local buzz, the local excitement, the planning of such a local celebration. I will be talking more about this, in the weeks to come, I will be passing out save the date cards for October 4, but for now, all I want to say to this very lovely local community, is a HUGE thank you.
A thank you for letting this girl manage your local markets, letting me watch and learn, filling my heart with local love and pride…
This little local market of love is another piece of the local fabric that is near and dear, and I hold in my heart. Totally proud of what we have accomplished in the past four years, totally committed to watching it continue to grow, totally in awe of the family that this market has become.
I open the market, tonight, urging you to take advantage of the local, seasonal produce, to take advantage of shopping local, and to take advantage of products produced from local farmers, growers, artisans…we are so proud to be a part of this local love…
Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam