Champaign, OH:  Holiday Fun!

On Thursday, Cosmic Charlie and Oakview Farm Meats will be teaming up to bring you a Thursday night tasting of both of our products when you are at order pickup!

Make sure to stop and enjoy our end of the season holiday tasting…we always bring you the combo that rocks the markets, festivals and events…

Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam

ALFN Local Food Club:  The Market is Open!

Good Beautiful Day,

The market is open and ready to make your holiday one full of locally-grown goodness! It may feel like summer out there, but now’s actually your last chance to still snag a holiday present for the local-lover in your life. And let’s be honest, your holiday feast is far more likely to impress if you fill it with the flavors of Arkansas. Besides all that, you’ll also get some of that heart-warming joy knowing that you helped support small, sustainable Arkansas farms this holiday. Here’s just a small sampling of all the local love we’ve got to offer…

• I can think of no better way to celebrate than to roast up a leg of lamb from McSwain Ranch. These grassfed beauties deserve to be rubbed down with garlic and rosemary for what I promise will be a feast you won’t soon forget.

• Nothing brightens up my holiday like a delicious cheese tray. Luckily, we’ve got White River Creamery’s altus port fresh farmer’s cheese, Kent Walker Artisan Cheese’ goat gouda, and Honeysuckle Lane Cheese’ raw milk jalapeno chedar for a selection any state would envy!

• We’ve got plenty of potatoes for frying up into latkes, the traditional Hanukkah potato pancake. Or try the sweet potato kind for an ever-so slightly healthier alternative!

• It’s the last week for delicious Japanese persimmons from Barnhill Orchards. They’re a wonderfully sweet addition to just about anything. Last week my girlfriend Marisa made these delectable spiced persimmon pecan muffins and I’m wishing we still had some more.

• And don’t forget the most creative and cool stocking stuffers around! We’ve got everything from mixed nuts, paw paw sauce, soaps and gift basket sets, peanut butter fudge, peanut brittle, tinctures and teas, jams and jellies, BBQ sauce, salsa, green tomato pickles and chutney, suds savers and t-shirts, candles, goat’s milk laundry soap, and even peacock feathers! If you can’t find a present on our market…you’re not looking hard enough : )

A huge thanks to everyone that made it out to my presentation on the results of the first phase of ALFN’s strategic planning process. If you weren’t able to make it but are interested in seeing what we’re up to, just e-mail me at arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com and I’d be happy to share.

Thank you all so much! Now, go outside!

- 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!

Gwinnett Locally Grown:  Sunday Market Reminder! Last time to order before Christmas!

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

Holiday Schedule
This is the last week before Christmas to place an order. The Market will be closed Tuesday, December 23rd so our families can enjoy the Holiday. I will let you know about the Tuesday before New Year’s as I’m still checking with our Growers to see if they are delivering.

I want to give a special thanks to all of you who support our Market! We feel it’s important to eat well to keep us in good health. We are honored to be able to provide the Market to you every week. It is my sincere hope that all of you have a very wonderful holiday and that you are with those you love to celebrate this wonderful time of year! We appreciate each and every one of you!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Veggie Patch at Bouchard Farms
USDA Certified Organic
Local USDA Organic Produce Farm

Website: www.veggiepatchga.com

The Veggie Patch grows a huge variety of organic vegetables practicing sustainable organic farming in order to provide locally grown produce for a healthy lifestyle. On our 300 acre farm we harvest from about 30 acres as well as from 7 green houses.
The Veggie Patch organic veggies can be purchased at Athens Farmer’s Market, on-line locally grown markets, at the farm, or join our CSA to get a veggie box every week.

Callidora Farms

Website: www.callidorafarms.com

Grass-fed, pasture raised meats
Callidora Farms is owned and managed by Raul and Genel Rivera (The Farmers). Farming is new to them, but it has been in Raul’s heart since his childhood days. In 2008, Raul began searching for the perfect land to purchase and start farming. After 5 years of searching, he finally found the perfect 71-acre plot in historical Madison, GA where he and his family could live the dream of operating a sustainable farm. Soon after buying the land, The Farmers realized that sustainable farming is both a way of life and a business. Having little knowledge in farming, the first year and a half was a definite learning curve. During that learning curve the one philosophy they adhered to was to provide natural solutions to all of the challenges that they face so that the animals experience the best life possible.

A growing number of people want to know where their food comes from, how it is being raised, and who is raising it. The Farmers believe that the best way to obtain these answers is to get connected to farmers who are very passionate about how food is raised. Their passion for staying connected to their food source drives them to continue to seek better ways to farm.

We also have yummy baked goods in time for the holidays!

Rancho Alegre Freshly Made

Website: ranchoalegrefarm.com

Rancho Alegre Freshly Made produces freshly-made products for you and your family. We focus on gluten-free, low carb baking as well as healthy salsas with NO PRESERVATIVES. Everything made fresh on market pick up day.

If you are trying to be gluten-free or are looking for delicious freshly-made products, order from Rancho Alegre Freshly Made.

We also 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!

Please be sure to check out ALL our great Growers to prepare for your Holiday baking and meals!!

Remember we have Kombucha available! If you are not familiar with it, Kombucha is a naturally fermented tea with natural probiotics! It has been around for centuries originating in Asia. It is said to have healing properties and because it is naturally fermented, is a great support for the digestive system. When your here, ask me for a sample! I’d love your feedback!

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.

Stones River Market:  Time to Order Local Food - Schedule Updates

Market News

Welcome back to another week of locally grown and made products. Here is an update to the schedule for the rest of 2014.

• This week there will be no changes to the schedule for Murfreesboro and Nashville customers, however it is the last week that Nashville customers can order for the rest of the year.
• Next week, ordering will still take place on Sunday and Monday, but pick up will be moved to Tuesday, December 23 for Murfreesboro customers. There will be no deliveries to Nashville since it will be Christmas Day.
• The following week which includes New Years’ Day, ordering stays the same. Pick up will be Wednesday, December 31 for Murfreesboro customers. There will be no deliveries for Nashville since it will be New Years’ Day.

Other news from the farmers:
Ridiculous Chocolate is on vacation this week, but will return next week if you need any of his products for gifts or events you are attending.

Rainbow Hill Farm wants me to let you know this will be their last week on the Market for a little while. If you enjoy their apples, you need to get them this week. They want to thank everyone for their support this year.

Wedge Oak Farm has added some artisan sausages to the Market this week.

From Linda with Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:

We are taking orders through December 22 for beautiful Christmas kissing balls. Made with live greens and other natural materials, these balls are about 18" in diameter and come in three styles, shown on the market. Each one is mounted on a sturdy hanger and includes a festive red ribbon bow. They are suitable to hang on a shepherd’s crook or from a chain for a beautiful outside Christmas decoration.

Make a collection of common culinary herbs, to give as a gift or to keep for yourself. Please see the description under ‘Gift Baskets & Certificates,’ ‘Herb Plants – Baskets & Planters,’ ‘Live Plants – Herb Plants – Baskets & Planters,’ or ‘Seasonal Items’; and specify your choice of herbs. We have a good selection of herbs available, and have expanded the list from last year. Included are:

• Mints (chocolate, peppermint, pineapple [variegated], spearmint, grapefruit)
• Oregano (Greek or variegated)
• Rue
• Rosemary
• Sage, Garden
• Thyme (Lemon, English, silver-edged, citrus, lime)
• Lemon balm
• Stevia (small but healthy)

If intended as a gift, please order your herb collection early to allow time for custom preparation. Please specify basket or planter (basket shown). Includes container, and will make a unique living Christmas centerpiece as well.

If you are looking for holiday gifts on the Market, here are some different ideas from our vendors:

Carol’s Vibration Cooking has a Christmas Lotion Bar and Soap
Hidden Blessings has a wide variety of skin care products including soaps, bath soaks, lip balms and scrubs.
You can find a wide variety of coffees and teas from Nuance Coffee & Tea.
Cedar Thicket Farm has organic vanilla still available.

There are plenty of other products available this week. Browse the categories to see what your will find.

Thanks so much for your support of Stones River Market, all of our growers, local food, and our rights to eat it. We’ll see you on Wednesday at Southern Stained Glass at 310 West Main Street from 5:00 to 6: 30 pm!

Recipes

Please, share your recipes with us on the Recipes tab. We’d all love to know how you use your Stones River Market products, so we can try it too! If you have created a dish and want to share with everyone, please send it to me.

I am taking a break from recipes. Look for them to return soon.

Champaign, OH:  Homeward Bound

Homeward bound…
Home where my thought’s escaping…
Home where my music’s playing…
(Homeward Bound-Simon and Garfunkel)

Home…isn’t that where our thoughts take us at this time of year? Maybe you are already home, maybe you are trying to get home, maybe your thoughts are just taking you back to a time when you were home…

Today, I welcome back my lovely co-ed, who is homeward bound, as I type. She is in flight from Milan to New York. She has been gone since the beginning of September. She took off with the wings that I gave her and now she is on her way back after having life experiences that she will cherish, forever.

Home is where the love is, home is where the comfort is, the love light is always on.

Lately, I have been experiencing similar thoughts of home, and the community that we have, right here, that I am so entrenched in. For the past year, I have used my wings to expand my own business, enjoying new territory, and accomplishing goals. I have also continued all of my work that I do for this town, this market, my local venues. Sometimes, it takes an adventure or an experience to make you stop, look around, and appreciate the welcoming arms of the familiar.

Today, while I celebrate feelings of homecomings, I also celebrate this little local market of love. We have carved out a little market family of vendors, customers, volunteers, the YMCA…I celebrate that we have become your own hometown market. Your hometown way to shop. Your local love light that you look to when you want ease, local, trust, nutrition, and all things good for your soul.

We are open, just for this week, and then we close for the two weeks of the holiday season. Make your lists, get your orders in, remember that we are here to make your lives easy, stress free, and full of local goodness. Look to us when you think of home…

Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam

CLG:  Opening Bell: Coffee, Bratwurst, Cabbage...

Good afternoon,
This is the last market for 2014! Lots of great products available. Also, we plan to start 2015 off right by having a market pick-up on Friday, January 2nd. Ordering will be open on Sunday, December 28th at 6pm.

Available now!: ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION. When you are done shopping, just hit the “proceed to checkout” button in your cart. You will then see the option to “Pay Now” with credit card near the bottom. Just follow the prompts to add your card. Be sure to read the screen until you see “Thank you for your order” on the top. If you need help, please call 339-7958. A 3% online payment convenience fee will be added when your card is charged.

Check out all the Featured Products and use the SEARCH field on the main Market page to quickly find the items you want.

Come early on Friday for the best selection from the EXTRAS table.

The market is now OPEN for orders. Please check your email about 5 minutes after you place your order to make sure you get an order confirmation. Thank you for being a valuable part of CLG!

Have a great week!
Steve

How to contact us:

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Instead…

Phone or text: Steve – 501-339-1039

Email: Steve – kirp1968@sbcglobal.net

Our Website: www.conway.locallygrown.net

On Twitter: @conwaygrown

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conway-Locally-Grown/146991555352846

Middle Tennessee Locally Grown:  Manchester Locally Grown Online Farmer's Market - It's Time to Order

Good morning, everyone,

Welcome to another week of shopping at Manchester Locally Grown online farmers’ market. We are now open for ordering.

A message from Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:

DOGWOOD VALLEY GREENHOUSE is taking orders through December 22 for beautiful Christmas kissing balls. Made with live greens and other natural materials, these balls are about 18" in diameter and come in three styles, shown on the market. Each one is mounted on a sturdy hanger and includes a festive red ribbon bow. They are suitable to hang on a shepherd’s crook or from a chain for a beautiful outside Christmas decoration.

Make a collection of common culinary herbs to give as a gift or to keep for yourself. We have a good selection of herbs available and have expanded the list from last year’s description.

Mints (chocolate, peppermint, pineapple [variegated], spearmint, grapefruit)
Oregano (Greek or variegated)
Rue
Rosemary
Sage, Garden
Thyme (Lemon, English, silver-edged, citrus, lime)
Lemon balm
Stevia (small but healthy)

Please see the description under “Planters and Baskets,” and specify your choice of herbs. If intended as a gift, please order your herb collection early to allow time for custom preparation. Includes planter and will make a unique living Christmas centerpiece as well.

White City Produce and Greenhouses has added beautiful Christmas cacti to the market this week. Their cider and jelly are just some of the great locally-produced Christmas gifts we have on the market. Other good gift ideas from various farmers include herbal bath & body products, local honey, and handmade craft items. Don’t forget the delicious local baked goods, pork products, fresh-laid chicken & duck eggs, and fabulous winter vegetables on our market. Give them a try! Also remember our Gift Certificates available in any denomination for Christmas or other gifts.

And lastly, let us know if you are interested in a beautiful live Christmas wreath, made in three sizes and decorated by Petalland in Moore County. These are not currently listed on the market, but arrangements can be made to have them delivered to our market if you would like one.

REMEMBER:

Growers can sometimes remove items at the last minute, affecting your invoice. Please wait to make out your check until your total is established at market.

If you do not receive an order confirmation within 5 minutes, your order has NOT been placed in the system. Log back in and press the Place Your Order button; then you should receive an e-mail to confirm the order. E-MAIL US at tnhomeschooler@yahoo.com OR CALL US at (931) 273-9708 if the problem persists so you will not be disappointed on market day.

Take a look at our offerings and support your friends and neighbors who produce these quality items on their own farms. Remember: ordering will close on Wednesday at 10 p.m..

A sampling of items available from our local farmers: (L to R) Fresh Christmas Wreath from Petalland (available by request to market manager), Open-range Brown Eggs from Wayne Diller, Herb Plant Collection and Christmas Kissing Ball from Dogwood Valley Greenhouse, Honey from Steve’s Bees.

We’ll see you for pickup of your order on Thursday between 3:00 and 4:30 at Square Books, 113 E Main, Manchester. We can also hold your order in the refrigerator till Friday morning, if that’s more convenient for you. Just call (931) 273-9708 if you prefer to utilize this free service. Square Books will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thanks so much for your support of Manchester Locally Grown Market, all of our growers, local food, and our right to eat it. Please encourage our local farmers by helping to spread the word about our wonderful market to everyone you know. Nothing makes a farmer more excited than seeing new customers on the market!

Blessings,
Linda

Here is the complete list for this week.

South Cumberland Farmer's Market:  Additional Market Announcements

We have additional announcements for market this week:

The Grundy County/Tracy City Farmers Market will have 6 pumpkin pies
for sale over the next 2 weeks and can be delivered this week or next. Just specify which week in a Note to the Grower for Browns Hollar.

Also, Browns Hollar has black walnut cakes for Christmas for this week, as well as spinanch and red chard.

Nature’s Wealth For Your Health has a special on chickens in the 5.0-5.5, 5.5-6.0, and 6.0-6.5 sizes: $13, $14, and $16, respectively.

Siloam Springs, AR:  Online Market is Open!

Dothan, Alabama:  WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR...

Market At Dothan_Eating Locally, Year Round

_

Market At Dothan Locally Grown

How to contact us:’
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email:2farmersdaughters@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketAtDothan

Market News

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR…
THANK YOU to all of our loyal customers and friends who supported Market At Dothan in 2014.
Market At Dothan Vendors are grateful for & humbled by your support of local products & local businesses. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM “MARY’S PEEPS”…
“This year has been an amazing year for me in the market. I want to thank the market managers and all the people that have supported my small business. I appreciate each and every order and every customer. I wish you a very happy season with your family and friends and hope you have peace and joy through the coming year…Many Thanks!!!! Marys Peeps, & Mary Bees. Mary Dale Peeples, Echo community, Ozark, Al. 36360”

WINTER MARKET 2015…
Market At Dothan is now Closed for the holidays. Online Ordering will reopen Saturday, JANUARY 10, 2015 @5pm.
Stay tuned for a big announcement!!!

WELCOME CASABLANCA RANCH- LOCAL GRASS FED, GRASS FINISHED BEEF…
“Locally raised in Abbeville, AL. Grass Fed and Grass Finished. Our cattle are never given hormones, any type of steroids or growth enhancing medications. We do not feed them corn, chicken litter or cotton gin waste. Their diet is grass and hay. We give them minerals and salt as needed. We vaccinate them for diseases and parasites under the oversight of a veterinarian. Our meat is inspected and approved during processing by a USDA inspector and carries the USDA seal of certification.”

---

GROUND BEEF, 93% LEAN
*GROUND BEEF PATTIES
*SIRLOIN TIP ROAST
*CHUCK ROAST
*BRISKET
*LIVER
**SOUP BONES

#SHOPLOCAL…
PLEASE SUPPORT these LOCAL businesses! “It’s not hard to support your local economy. Just shift your spending to local independents. Every bit counts.” #ShopLocal. Order Online @
www.MarketAtDothan.locallygrown.net

DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS…
Now accepting Debit & Credit cards @ Market at Dothan when you PICK UP your order. Using SQUARE, is a FLEXIBLE payment option that allows you to get receipts via email or text message. EASY & CONVENIENT way to pay!

EASY & CONVENIENT Online Ordering @
www.MarketAtDothan.locallygrown.net

Farm to Table Recipes

Sautéed Greens with Pine Nuts and Raisins Recipe
Yield: Serves 2,

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 bunch kale, chard, collards, or turnip greens, etc., about 1 pound, tough stem centers removed (if any) and discarded, greens chopped
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Roughly 1/2 cup dry white wine or water
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
1 Heat a large sauté pan hot on medium-high heat and add the pine nuts. Toast until fragrant and begin to brown…pine nuts burn easily. Stir or toss the nuts frequently. Once they are toasted, remove from pan and set aside.
2 Add the olive oil to the pan and swirl it around. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds; the pan should already be hot, so it won’t take long for the garlic to begin to brown. Add back the pine nuts, add the raisins and the greens and mix well. Sauté, stirring often, until the greens wilt and begin to give up some of their water, anywhere from 1-2 minutes for spinach to 4-5 minutes for collards or kale.
3 Sprinkle salt and red pepper flakes on the greens. Add the white wine (can substitute water)—use a little more wine if you are cooking collards, a little less if you are cooking spinach. Toss to combine and let the liquid boil away, remove from heat. Add salt and pepper to taste.