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!



 
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The Pretender


And when the evening rolls around
I’ll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I’ll get up and do it again…
(Jackson Browne-The Pretender)

Jackson Browne…one of my favorites. A market customer suggested this song, and this lyric for a market reopening song, after the long evening of running to and fro with market orders…I think it’s pretty perfect…

Now…tonight…well, there are nights, and there are nights. Once again we had the winds, but now mixed with sleety rain, and cold temps. Even clothed in my warm rain boots, hat, Sherpa poncho, I was freezing!!

But, you, the customers, with your kind words, smiles, waves…you make it all worth while.

I love that we are able to bring you the loveliest of local, but I dislike it, so much, when some things don’t go as they should.

Let’s start with the lettuces and basil…yes, the delivery did not happen until the market was concluding, customers were sent away, me apologizing, taking the extra time to refund money, credit accounts, try to work out if a delivery, over the weekend would be possible, but not knowing where the driver was, because there was no communication. It’s hard, at times, to depend on things beyond your control. So, to the first part of the alphabet, I had to make a decision in the second time slot, as I was explaining to upset customers about no lettuce, that we would just credit all cards that we have on file, and if you had paid with cash or check, we will just credit your market, for next week or next time you order. Tough call, tough explaining, and tough waiting, and not knowing.

Second…there may be times, especially in these very trying times, that the meat supply may need to play catch up with the demand. This is not a farmer’s fault. They are all in this, together, and the sudden demand is pushing them to have to wait, and wait, and wait to get worked into all of the processing places. It’s not the farmer’s fault. We are in very serious times, seeing things that we have never had to deal with, before. Some weeks, there may not be the supply, but in the following weeks, there will be. They are all waiting, watching, and worrying, and bring us all that they can. Let’s all be patient, and applaud all of the hard work that they, and all local producers are enduring, right now….

Ok…other than that, the market was lovely, your market manager is still thawing out with wine, music, and blankets…

And, oh, the loveliness of one customer offering the gift of wine…how very super nice, and sweet…you all just make me cry, at times…

We begin with a new slate, this evening, the market reopens for the weekly ordering, and I am headed to dreamland…

Also, please remember that when you order, you need to make sure you hit the Pay Later button, and make sure you get an order confirmation…

Much love to you…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam