Northeast Georgia Locally Grown:  Locally Grown - Availability for February 11th, 2015

Hey Local Food Lovers,

Next weekend in for Lovers, or as they like to say on the Holiday Calendar, Saint Valentine’s Day. Since virtually nothing is known about the real St. Valentine, and the holiday celebrating “romantic love” in his name was a poetic invention by Chaucer the Father of English Literature, I’m going to take creative license and tell my own story of Saint Valentine and the holiday we all know and love.

Saint Valentine, though having pledged his life to the priesthood, found himself one day ridiculously in love with aura of a young lady farmer. Each day he did most of the gathering of food in the market to be served for the other priests, and for special occasions, an errand he most deeply appreciated as he enjoyed the smells of fresh harvests from the field, the best chicken freshly plucked, and the fine breads and cheeses made by the artisans of the village. But above them all he was entranced with the young lady who seemed to do it all. At her stand she had every vegetable known in the village, but the best grown, without a blemish. She stacked them all in a rainbow palette that caught the sunlight as he walked forth. She cut fresh herbs and instructed each passer of what they were and how to use them in cooking. Her very hands smelled of the rosemary cut that morning. Fresh flowers adorned her farm, her stand and her very hair which always had the most recently bloomed flower tucked behind her ear, reminding one of the season, and the beauty of the season.

Since Saint Valentine was wed to the church he decided to express his love by loving what she loved, the beauty, bounty and abundance of the living Earth, carefully studied and cultivated so that others may live and enjoy it more deeply. And so Saint Valentine engaged every farmer at the market and learned what special skill they had and good morsel they produced that might enrich his meal and his life.

As he fed this newfound love, he found it grew quickly. There was the farm of the Mountains and the Earth that grew fine fields of fresh Spinach that were exquisite in a soup. Their swiss chard always harvested young and tender were bright and pretty as spring flowers but grew in the wintertime. The O’shanna Fofanna farm known for their lettuce and pork would occasionally bring fresh Parisian Cookies with white chocolate and strawberry jam which always made him feel more sophisticated than he actually was when eating them (and his typical sneeze after eating baked goods was absent as well).

The freshness of the eggs spoke for themselves as the days he didn’t arrive at the market super early, he found every last egg had been sold.

In the month of February when the dreariness of Winter needed some cheer he would sweeten his life with Honey in his tea in the mornings from a sweet mountain bee keeper, and each evening a stick of hot cocoa would go in a tall glass of milk. For breakfast he’d have blueberry or fig jam on his biscuit from the farm with the shady creek to remind him that these fruits would begin to grow again soon. After dinner a vegan apple pecan cake

As a way to thank the Lady Farmer that had spurred this new and profound love, Saint Valentine would occassionally bring a small gift. He knew of an amazing chef up in the mountains who had written his own cookbook, that included recipes that had been cooked with her very fruits of the field. So he brought her a copy and with it a soup he had made with her own jerusalem artichokes, a specialty of her farm. She knew not what to think so rarely being thanked in such a generous way. He did not linger too long at her table, but she forever noticed his love too for the people and the food that came from the Earth. This very particular piece of Earth, that thankfully had people who lived and worked on it, showing that the Earth provides when cared for.

So this is the true origin story of VALENTINE’S DAY. If Chaucer can have a go at it why not we!

Eat Well our Dear Friends! And be in love!

Justin, Chuck, Teri and Andrew

Farm Where Life is Good:  FarmWLIG Offline thru the 2015 Season

A remnant of the recent past

Fresh Harvest, LLC:  Fresh Harvest for February 8th

Market News

Hello!
It’s Valentine’s Day week, and we have lots of treats for you! A sweet simple gift for teachers, neighbors and co workers is a potted hyacinth, locally grown by Turnbull Creek Farm. It comes wrapped in a festive colorful paper, and is ready to give as a present. This is a long lasting flower that will continue to open and smell amazing for the weeks ahead.

Make sure you check out the offerings from The Bloomy Rind! There are some great treats for VDay on there -Including chocolate! A Cheese Plate for Two: wedges of a triple cream and Extra Aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve paired with preserves and Marcona almonds; Cheese n’ Chocolate Truffles: Blushing Berry Chocolates in Nolensville, TN, is now owned by pastry chefs Derek and Kayla May. They’re using Bloomy Rind cheeses in three different truffles! And Capriole’s Heart Shaped Fromage a’ Trois: Chocolate chèvre with bourbon and raisins. Add a fresh baked baguette from Dozen Bakery – delivered while still warm! – and you have a great pairing for any occasion.

Also, we are pleased to be carrying a new coffee this week! The Nashville Food Project is a non-profit that is very near and dear to our hearts. They have a coffee roasted and packaged for them by Just Love Coffee Roasters in Murfeesboro. The proceeds of all the sales go to supporting their work. We will be offering this whole bean, organic coffee while supplies last. All money goes to support the Food Project and the good work they do here in nashville. Please buy a bag and support a good cause!

It’s almost the middle of February, and we are looking ahead to spring! Of course we don’t know what the weather has in store for us in the coming month or so, but it is easy to believe the hardest part is behind us and we will now see increasingly sunny and warmer weather. It is the time for seeding transplants, and as soon as the ground dries out we will be getting the fields ready for early spring crops.
The quantities of vegetables are pretty low this time of year. We appreciate your continued support of what we do have to offer. We hope as the weather warms and the days lengthen we will have new crops and greater quantities.

Thanks so much for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

John and Tallahassee

Coming Events

Dawson Local Harvest:  BREAD is BACK!

DAWSON LOCAL HARVEST for February 13th

BREAD is BACK!

HI EVERYONE!

We are delighted to welcome MY DAILY BREAD back to the fold after being out of town with an ill daughter. They’re back now with scrumptious Breads, Dips, and Desserts for your table this week. LEILANI’S has added their delicious, all-natural Swiss Chard and Romaine Lettuce to their Salad Mix and Spinach so there’s a bit more Produce coming available now.

As always, we invite you to take a look at the complete Market menu for this week.

THE MARKET IS NOW OPEN!

REMEMBER! You can order until Tuesday night at 8pm. Pick up your order at Leilani’s Gardens Friday afternoons from 4 to 7pm.

You’ll find the DAWSON LOCAL HARVEST at http://dawsonville.locallygrown.net

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible! We guarantee your satisfaction with all products in the DAWSON LOCAL HARVEST.

Have a happy and healthy week!

Alan Vining
Market Manager

South Cumberland Farmer's Market:  Valentine's Day This Weekend!

DOGWOOD VALLEY GREENHOUSE announces winter is the perfect time to enjoy houseplants, succulent planters, and herb collection baskets from Dogwood Valley Greenhouse. These will make perfect Valentine’s Day gifts. Don’t forget to let us know if you might be interested in purchasing flowering hanging baskets, vegetable plants in gallon pots, or 6-packs of bedding plants this spring. If there is something else special that you would be interested in, please let us know by e-mail to tnhomeschooler@yahoo.com.

Russellville Community Market:  RCM Opening Bell

Welcome to another RCM Market Week!

Be sure to check out the newly listed items this week! Lots of great, local products to be had!

Happy shopping! Eat Local!

Check out the “Featured Items” section as well as the “What’s New” section at the top of the market page for all the latest products available.

Be sure to “Like” our Facebook page for updates and food-related events in your community!

To ensure your order is placed, make sure you click the “Place My Order” button once you have completed your shopping. Remember, you have until 10:00pm Tuesday evening to place your orders.

Happy Shopping! See you on Thursday!

Russellville Community Market

FRESH.LOCAL.ONLINE.

Citrus County Locally Grown:  Update on Market

To our Valued Members:

As you may or may not know, Michael is in the hospital preparing for surgery today (Tuesday).

To my understanding the surgery he had last year failed. Now they need to undo what they did last year, and do the surgery the old fashioned way. This is pretty major…while we anticipate Michael will available to guide us, post surgery, it will take a few months before he is able to work in his full capacity.

As a result, we will need to keep the market closed for a week (or two) while we figure out how best to move forward.

Keep an eye out for emails and updates. We will notify you as soon as we can re-open the Market and please join me in sending our collective love and healing vibes to Michael and Rita.

Any questions should be addressed to me:

Amy@3rockfarm.com
Fellow Grower and Market Volunteer

Gwinnett Locally Grown:  Sunday Market Reminder! Welcome Double Bee Farm!

The Market is open Thursday at 9 – Monday at noon After that, ordering is disabled until Thursday morning. Pick up your order Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. only at Rancho Alegre Farm at 2225 Givens Road, Dacula, GA 30019. New to The Market? Learn about how it works here.

MARKET NEWS

_Welcome Double Bee Farm to Gwinnett Locally Grown!

Brady has been on GLG for a while offering half and quarter hogs but now we are getting some wonderful cuts from him!
All his hogs are fed non-GMO feed, veggies from the farm and whatever grasses they forage from the land. He is chemical free and believes that “Growing for the future is with our all natural products. Our philosophy is simple, natural is better for you!”
So check out what’s listed and watch for new items being added from Brady. If there’s something you’d like to see…e-mail me and we’ll work to get it! I’m hoping for bacon personally…and am working on that!
Let’s support him and show him we’re glad he’s here!!

An FYI for the veggie buyers out there, The Veggie Patch @ Bouchard Farms has been supplying many great vegetables! As we keep getting consistent low temperatures it is affecting their winter growing season. They are trying very hard to keep us supplied with as many organic items as they can. Spring is a better growing season and you will start to see more choices as they ramp up for peak season! Since only certain crops grow here in the winter, it’s not like they can produce all the things we see in the supermarket. All those items are flown in from all over. So hang in there…we will see more in the coming months! Please continue to support them and look forward to more yummy veggies!

I’m looking to post a survey real soon to see everyone’s interest in different items. We have opportunities to get some really cool items but there are minimum limits for some to get them offered on the Market. So be looking for that as I share the wonderful items available to us and see your interest!

Is anyone interested in Azure Standard? They are a group buy that is delivered once a month. We have the opportunity to participate….so go on
https://www.azurestandard.com. Please email me if you would like to participate!

_As Always….
_Please share with friends and family about us so that we can give more people the opportunity to buy and eat healthy! Local farmers need our support to keep providing us with all the fresh foods! If we don’t give them enough business, it’s hard for them to continue to deliver to us. Please let’s not let that happen! Tell your friends about us so we can keep the Growers supported as this is how they make their living. *_

Thank you to all of you who support Gwinnett Locally Grown!

Browse through to see all the great Growers we have and maybe you will find something new!

We have Wilderness Family Naturals Coconut Sugar, Flour and Organic Popcorn in the Market for sale! When you come to pick up your order, check them out! They are also now online!

If there is something you’d like to see in the Market, please let me know! I would love your imput!

Remember…
The Market is extending their hours! The Market will now be open from 4:00 to 7:00pm!
Having said that, if you place an order with us, PLEASE remember to pick it up on Tuesday. As I am so grateful for your orders, I also have a family at home waiting on me too! We cannot hold orders, especially cold items due to limited refrigeration space, so please be courteous and come for your order.

CLICK HERE NOW to Shop Gwinnett Locally Grown!

Thanks for all your support!

Shop often and eat well!

Cheryl Gelatt
Market Manager
grow@ranchoalegrefarm.com

Fresh Wishes,
Pilar Quintero
Market Host
Rancho Alegre Farm

Please email grow@ranchoalegrefarm.com for questions pertaining to Market or Raw Milk. It is very difficult to return phone calls. Remember to interact with us on Facebook and follow us on Meetup to get notification on all our wonderful events and news.

ALFN Local Food Club:  The Market is Open and our Board Needs You!

Good Beautiful Morning,

The market is open and ready for orders of delicious local products!

Like many non-profits, ALFN relies heavily on board members to advise and govern our current and future well-being. We’re currently recruiting folks with a passion for local food to fill some recently opened spots on our Board of Directors. We are especially seeking folks with experience in accounting/financial management and fundraising.

If you believe that you or someone you know would make a good fit for our board, please e-mail arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com or call 501.291.2769 to learn more. Now go out there and enjoy this weather!

- Alex Handfinger
Director of Operations

Do you have questions or comments about this, or any, weblog? Thoughts on local food, goods, or events? Reply to this email and let us know what’s on your mind. Your feedback is always greatly appreciated!

The Wednesday Market:  Good Morning! It's Time to Order

Greetings, all! What a beautiful day we have been given. Surely, Spring is just around the corner? I certainly hope so.

As you are planning your week, please remember to place your order by 10 p.m. on Monday, and orders are ready for pick up between 3 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Market is now open. Be sure to check the website for all of this week’s product listings. Here is the link: http://wednesdaymarket.locallygrown.net/market

Thank you all for supporting locally grown agriculture and for choosing to buy locally.

We’ll see you Wednesday!

Thanks,

Beverly