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!
Monday Morning
Monday morning you look so fine…
(Monday Morning-Fleetwood Mac)
Okay!! Now this is shaping up to be a market that looks like our usual markets!! I love seeing all of the familiar names popping on with orders, and messages, and happiness to be back in the ordering mode, again!!
These are the little local market of love customers that we have grown to know, love, and feel like family, over the years. Welcome back to many of you! Hello, again, to the weekly loyals! Won’t you join us, to the ones who are still thinking about placing their first order, with us!
And, just to address a couple of things, feedback, and plans…
Yes, we are aware that we are still without dairy, without cheese. We are working on it, I promise!!!!! Dairy is not the easiest to make happen, but we are on the trails of three possibilities. We are sorry for the long spell of no dairy, but some things just happen, we knew we would be a somewhat of a loss with our dairy customers, but we also supported the mutual parting of ways with the former dairy. But, just so you know…we have not stopped working on this!!
Produce…yes, this past summer was the wackiest growing season for many produce items. Some producers were totally wiped out, or only producing enough to cover their family or a physical market. Yes, we felt the loss on that end, we tried to bring you as much as we could all bring, but you just cannot predict Mother Nature, even though I wish we could!!
We have seen the absence of some of our popular growers/producers!!
End Of The Road had a severe hit to their farm with the kind of growing season we had. They also took on the managing of the Miami County Virtual Market, and tried to keep their own farm CSA service going…with virtually no produce, this season. AND, they had their 4th baby!! Another little girl, just a few weeks ago!! Believe me…we miss them just as much as you do!!!
Women That Farm!! Again…another baby added to the family!! When last heard from, they needed to take a break to get caught up, have a baby, and finish out physical markets. They will be back, with the selections that you love, and even more variety to add!!
Other growers come and go, for various reasons…but, believe me, we work behind the scenes to stay in contact, coordinate, and regroup…
This market is family…we are always there for each other…
So, it’s Monday Morning…continue to give us your orders…the market is looking good, this week!!
Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam