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!
Favorite Things and A Favorite Song
Thursday market pick ups are so fun because I get to see you all from the comfort of your cars, we get to chat, a bit, and then I load you up, and you are on your way.
I also love when you all give me a song, and product favorites.
This past Thursday, customer Deb Walters gave me a piece of paper with her favorite song, and favorite market item.
She picked the song, Scar Tissue, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. If you are familiar with the song, the lyrics, you know how powerful the meanings are in the song. The song deals with the reality of addiction, which most of the band members dealt with. It was also a message of sorts as some member returned to the line up, while a snub to those who were let go. It also reflected their utter devastation when one member was lost to his addiction.
A lot of life lessons, reflections, and jumping into new directions at this point in their career. Much like life, and all of it’s twists, turns, ups, downs.
Deb has been a customer, of mine, from way back in the my early days as co-manager/manager of the Mechanicsburg Farmers’ and Artisans’ market. Her daughter would stop, and shop, and then you would see Deb walking down to the market with her cute pup, shopping from all of the vendors. She then became one of our first virtual market customers when we kicked off this market, and has remained with us.
Her favorite things of the market are the fresh flowers. And, I have to agree. The amount of fresh flowers that have been ordered from all of our floral vendors, since March, has been staggering to see.
But, why not? Fresh flowers, much like her favorite song, seem to swoop in, looking so beautiful, and elevating our moods in the exact time when we may need it. Twists, turns, happy, sad…flowers always lift us up.
And, with that, I leave you to your Sunday. I do want to mention on more message from Kim, of The BARKERY.
Kim was in vacation mode for two weeks so that she could take care of her two grand babes. Upon her return, she has been crazy busy, covering extra shifts at work, but will be back with Christmas products right after the Thanksgiving break!
XOXO,
Cosmic Pam