Newsletter for Friday June 20, 2014

Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market is now on its summer schedule, which means market is held every Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the market's year-round location at Cheviot United Methodist Church 3820 Westwood Northern Blvd.  Where market will be held at the church will vary depending on the weather.  Rain or shine, we'll be there.  Rain?  We'll be inside.  Shine?  We'll be outside.




THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHT
This week we are excited to introduce to you our newest vendor, Honey Tree Acres Farm & Gardens, from West Harrison, Indiana.  Honey Tree Acres grows and raises a variety of items, including beautiful cut flowers, herbs, produce (as it comes into season), and eggs.  They are also taking orders for meat chickens.  Both their laying hens and their meat chickens are free range and are fed NO gmo and NO soy.  And, if that's not enough, they even grind and mix the chicken feed right on their farm.  

As you can see by the picture above, Honey Tree Acres is a family affair.  The 120 acre farm has been in the family since 1971 and has been used in numerous ways over the years.  Most recently, as of four years ago, the family decided to start the progression of using only sustainable methods, using no synthetic chemicals and no gmo feeds.  In their own words:

Four years ago, we, along with our father, had the vision of a new approach to farming based on lessons from the past…to be successful as a small family farm, we can’t use “conventional farming” approaches and methods.  

In 2010, we began a multi-year plan for transitioning back to a family farm.
“Back to the Future” - Learning from the past to be successful in the future.  Like our family’s ancestral farmers:
•Grow everything needed on the farm without use of today’s conventional means
•Don’t compete with the large mega-farmers – in farming, smaller can be better
•Focus is on sustainable, nutrient rich farming and niche offerings
•No chemicals
•Non-GMO
•Become a trusted partner with our customers
In addition to their superior farming practices, they are also very adept at interacting with and educating customers at market.  Their last statement, "Become a trusted partner with our customers," has already begun with their first day at market last Friday.  They are eager to answer your questions about their products and their growing practices.  

At their booth you will also find an information sheet of each of the plants they sell, thus educating customers about where and how to grow the plant.  Throughout the summer they will also have an educational display at their booth that will cover topics such as, Sustainable Farming, Nutrient Dense Foods, GMO vs NON GMO, and others.  If you have a topic you would like to learn more about feel free to ask them for details.

We offer a warm welcome and huge THANKS to all the folks at Honey Tree Farm & Gardens for all the work they do to help us Eat Well! 

NOTICES  
  • Village Green:  When  Village Green started at LEWFM, while we were still in the Winter Market, they told us they  would be with us through June, which back then seemed like a long time away.  But, alas, it will soon be time to say good bye to them.  But, only for a brief while, as they will be returning.  They will be at market this week and next, and then look for their return late summer/early fall.


For a full listing of our vendors, their products, and services including:
  • Kids & Krafts (available starting at about 3:45), where the kids can have loads of fun so you can leisurely shop the market
  • Many food and non-food items
  • and a list of vendors who accept credit cards
Check out our Vendors.

REMINDERS
While some of you are long-time readers of the newsletter, people who are new to the market are reading the newsletter for the first time; therefore, the Reminders section is included each week so new folks can see what's happening around the market and around town.

NEW AT THIS SUMMER'S MARKET 

PRE-ORDER AND SAVE $$$

Bread varieties sold by L2LS Click image to enlarge
Would you like to save $$$ on your food purchases while not compromising on quality?  We thought your answer would be yes, so we devised a way for you to accomplish this.  During the summer market season, a number of our vendors will be participating in Pre-order and Save $$$.  Following are examples of the promotions that two vendors will be offering:  Angelia’s Homemade Pies (& more) will be offering a 10% discount on all pre-ordered baked goods.  Learning to Live Sustainably (L2LS):  After customers have pre-ordered a total of 12 loaves of bread they will receive their 13th loaf free.

Jenny of Angela's Homemade Pies
As if Saving $$$ isn't enough, Pre-ordering has additional bonuses for both customers and vendors.  When you pre-order your items you are ensured that your favorite foods will not be sold out before you arrive at market.  Additionally, pre-ordering cuts down on waste of perishable foods.  When you let your favorite vendors know in advance what items you want to purchase, the vendors can then produce/harvest the quantities needed to supply their customers.  Furthermore, our already-overly-busy vendors can use their time to make what their customers most want.  Stop by your favorite vendors' booths to inquire about how to Pre-order and Save $$$.  

As more vendors become involved in the Pre-order and Save $$$ promos we will highlight them in future newsletters. You can also see up-to-the-minute news on the market's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lewfm.org 

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The Whys & Hows of Eating Local: A Series That Takes the Mystery Out of Eating Local

 Although this series has already begun, it's not too late to attend the remaining session.  Also, note that the series will repeat; therefore, you can pick up any session when they are offered the next time.


When: Tuesdays March 25, April 29, May 27, June 24 *

Time:    7:00-9:00 P.M.                                                                  
Click image to enlarge

Where: Cheviot United Methodist Church

3820 Westwood Northern Blvd. 45211

Cost: $10 (free) per session**, $30 (free) for series**

Student rate; $5 (free) per session**, $15 (free) for series**



Presented by Learning to Live Sustainably,

with support from Lettuce Eat Well Farmers’ Market



*We encourage participants to attend all four sessions; nevertheless, each session is stand alone and participants may pick and choose which sessions they wish to attend.  Sessions 1 & 2 cover the Whys.  Sessions 3 & 4 cover the Hows.  Series is scheduled to be repeated the last Tuesdays of July through October.


**The sessions are essentially free because each participant will receive 10, 30, 5, or 15 free Market Bucks, redeemable at any vendor booth at Lettuce Eat Well Farmers’ Market.


Thanks to the folks at Cheviot UMC for allowing the program to be held at their church.


To RSVP or for further information, call (513) 481-1914 or email   mary.learningtolivesustainably@gmail.com

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BRIGHT IDEA
While we would like to take credit for the following Bright Idea, alas we can't.  This Bright Idea was submitted by Kerry Wood, Pastor of Cheviot United Methodist Church.  For his Bright Idea Kerry will receive five Market Bucks, which he can spend at any of the vendor booths.  If you would like to receive free Market Bucks, email us your Bright Idea and if it is chosen for inclusion in the newsletter you, too, will receive five Market Bucks.  Email your Bright Idea to  lewfmlocal@gmail.com
 
Barters' Corner  Do you have a skill or talent that you could teach to others?  Perhaps you know how to grow your own food, or how to preserve the abundance of summer produce and could share that knowledge with others.  Maybe you have extra gardening tools, or canning or other food related equipment you are willing to share.  You can put your skills and/or unused equipment to good use by bartering with others who want what you have and have what you want.  

If you wish to participate in the Barters' Corner email us at lewfmlocal@gmail.com. 


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BARTERS' CORNER UPDATE
Our first response to the Barters' Corner Bright Idea came from a person who said:

My passion in life is sustainable living with includes gardening, homesteading etc. So I have been learning tons about that. I know how to fix computers and have worked in the IT field for years.   As for what I need, anything to do with gardening and homesteading.
This sounds like a great opportunity for folks to connect with one another and share skills.  If you have gardening skills and need IT help and would like to connect with this person you may email us and we will forward your info.  Or if you have other skills or items you would like to barter, email us and we will add you to our Barters' Corner.  Email us at   lewfmlocal@gmail.com

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SPECIAL VOLUNTEER REQUEST:  If you have experience in developing software programs and/or web based online ordering systems we would love to hear from you.  To learn more, please email us Here.

WANTED:  VOLUNTEERS.  We're always looking for volunteers!  If you're available to lend a hand at the Market any time between 1:30pm and 7:30pm on Fridays, or during the week for more behind the scenes activities, check out the link below to contact us!

VENDORSWe currently have openings for a meat vendor, produce vendors, and vendors offering value added items.  If you are interested or know someone who might be, you may email us through the link below. 

Vendors/Volunteers Click Here!


Please share this newsletter with friends and family to help spread the word about LEWFM!

We hope to see you real soon at Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market!