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!
Last Christmas
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…
But the very next day, you gave it away…
This year, to save me from tears…
I’ll give it to someone special…
(Last Christmas-Wham!)
As a mall rat of the 1980s, working retail during the holiday seasons, this song was always embedded in my brain, each year. I worked in retail during high school, college, and a bit, on the side, in Westwood, CA, when I was a flight attendant.
Back then, nothing Christmas started until after Thanksgiving. The magic of the season started with the sparkly mall decorations, the arrival of Santa, the crowds of shoppers, and the music soundtracks of the shops.
I was a Casual Corner mall rat. Versed in sales, customer files, trunk shows, style shows. Customer service was our highest goal. The minute I would say goodbye to my last final exam, I would hit the road, arrive home in the West End, and immediately transform myself from college girl, hippie girl, to super sales girl…all shiny and bright!
I loved the Christmas crowds, the hustle of the season, hooking up with old friends, rushing to lunches with fellow mall rat friends. I loved the excitement of shopping for my own gift list. Back then, it was just so much fun. The choices were fewer, the shops so special, and the fun was all about finding the perfect gift for both my own gift list or the gift list of those shopping from me.
This is how I feel about our own little market of LOVE…how special would it be to give your loved ones the gift of a local gift set, local products or local baked goods, or gift certificates to our own market, or from some of our vendors who have shop fronts? And, we even make it so easy by having tastings, and shopping, right in the lobby of the YMCA, each Thursday night, during market pick up time!!
Once again, on Thursday, we will bring you…Women That Farm, Mad Sweet Heat, and End Of The Road!!
Sadly, this will be the last market, for the season, for End Of The Road Farms. They are now just about done for the season, and need to concentrate on the farm, butchering, and working on their own ventures. We will see them, again, next spring!!! So, make sure to take advantage of the tastings and the shopping, this Thursday!!
The market is open, the morning is cold and frosty…why not take time with a warm drink to place your orders. Think about how easy it is to order, do all of your shopping, and pick it up from us with no hassle, all smiles, and all local…
Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam