Locally Grown - Availability for September 24th, 2013

Hey Local Food Lovers,

This week’s message is coming at ya a little late. But hopefully a reminder that you’ve still got close to 12 hours of shopping left will help you get a yummy order in this week. Before I get into what kind of stuff we’re into behind the scenes this week, let’s talk about what’s to eat on the market.

Okra is everywhere. From three different farms and two different colors. My father in law has been doing the cooking the last few weeks and I love how he cross cuts the okra into these beautiful artistic long pieces that are easier to grab with chopsticks. There are some gorgeous peppers coming through the market these days. I love the variety of sizes, colors and flavors. You can add peppers to almost any meal to punch it up. Peas are also flowing. You can spot the pea lovers out there as many of them have already stocked up on several pounds of peas. Just think of that shelling time as a form of deep meditation. You can hum, peas are good, peas are good. It’ll make you sleep better.

Before I go this week I want to mention something that we hope to mention more in the months ahead. One of the goals of Locally Grown is to get more good food to people who want it, including those who find it difficult to afford. That’s why earlier this year we applied for and received an EBT machine that accepts SNAP payments (used to be called food stamps back in the day). We only have one machine for our Clarkesville location right now, but are in the process of applying to receive a second one at our Gainesville Location. We stay so busy around here we have not done a great job of promoting this program. If anyone is willing to help us over the next several months in identifying ways and places to get the word out to those who receive SNAP benefits, this is a program we’d like to see grow.

We’ll let you know when the Gainesville EBT is received and working, but in the meantime, our Clarkesvillle Location is ready right now today!

We may try and have a program too to offset the membership costs for EBT users. Perhaps a sponsor or two of this program would do the trick. If you have an idea of a sponsor, please let us know. We’ll be sure and give them appropriate credit for such a good deed.

Well, that’s all we have time for this week. We hope you enjoy this week’s local food offerings and …..

EAT WELL,

Justin, Chuck, Teri and Andrew