Winter schedule: The market is now on its winter schedule, which means market is held every Friday from 3:30 - 6:30 P.M. Please read all the pertinent information about the winter market elsewhere in this newsletter.
Location: usually in the church's Werner Lounge. Follow the sign that says OFFICES and we will be right inside that entrance. Please note that this location could vary depending on other activities taking place at the church. Follow the happy voices and you'll find us.
A Message From Pete the Farmer
The letter below came to us recently from Pete Hebauf of Honey Tree Acres Farm and Gardens, one of our Very Valued Vendors. Pete gives us much food for thought. No longer can we go blindly on our way of not knowing the consequences of our purchases. We can choose not to look at reality, but the reality will not go away. If we continue to ignore the problems, they will not cease to exist; rather, the problems will grow even larger.
We currently still have the opportunity to make choices that are better for us and all of the environment. However, how much longer can we put off making the necessary changes? Our producers are continuing to make choices that bring about improvements to their products. Will we, the consumers, support them in their practices by being willing to purchase their products? It is critical that we support our producers, for without our support they will cease to exist, resulting in severely curtailing our choices.
The letter below came to us recently from Pete Hebauf of Honey Tree Acres Farm and Gardens, one of our Very Valued Vendors. Pete gives us much food for thought. No longer can we go blindly on our way of not knowing the consequences of our purchases. We can choose not to look at reality, but the reality will not go away. If we continue to ignore the problems, they will not cease to exist; rather, the problems will grow even larger.
We currently still have the opportunity to make choices that are better for us and all of the environment. However, how much longer can we put off making the necessary changes? Our producers are continuing to make choices that bring about improvements to their products. Will we, the consumers, support them in their practices by being willing to purchase their products? It is critical that we support our producers, for without our support they will cease to exist, resulting in severely curtailing our choices.
Update from the Acres USA Conference:
Linda
and I attended an Acres USA conference last week in Columbus, Ohio.
This conference was focused on Organic and Sustainable farming and had a
number of great topics presented concerning Soil Biology (it ALL starts
in the soil), how to eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides,
the impact GMO foods have on the soil and our bodies and many more. We found
that we are already doing or have plans for doing many of the things
presented at the conference. We did, however, get some new ideas that
we will be working hard to incorporate into our processes.
One
key theme that came out of the conference is that it is so important
for us to know what we are putting into our bodies when we consume the
commoditized foods that we purchase at the grocery stores - and even at
the farmer's markets where there is not an emphasis on natural/organic
growing practices. We set the direction for Honey Tree Acres based on
what we felt was right (sustainable farming following organic, soy-free
practices). As we continue our journey, surrounded by mono-crop (GMO
corn and soybeans) farmers who farm thousands of acres and diversified
farmers who rely heavily on pesticides, herbicides, synthetic/chemical
fertilizers and GMO and soy based grains, we realize that what felt
right IS right.
Mega farming in today's society is a model that has commoditized the foods we eat by producing them cheaply, mechanically, and in such great volumes that they are now piling corn up at storage facilities across the country. While this may seem good in the sense that we can produce vast quantities of food, you have to ask the question of Quantity vs Quality. Actually, these and greater quantities can be achieved using sustainable methods without the use of any chemicals, etc.
Unfortunately, today's farmers seem to think that organic and sustainable mean lower yields and that just is not true. They also do not want to take the extra effort to manage their soil beyond spraying or applying chemical/synthetic fertilizers. While managing the soil takes more effort, the results are a healthier product grown in organic fields that are rich in micro-organisms, good bacteria and nutrients that are passed along to the animal life that consumes them (Quality). If you build the soil, they will come. Our philosophy is Quality over Commodity.
Mega farming in today's society is a model that has commoditized the foods we eat by producing them cheaply, mechanically, and in such great volumes that they are now piling corn up at storage facilities across the country. While this may seem good in the sense that we can produce vast quantities of food, you have to ask the question of Quantity vs Quality. Actually, these and greater quantities can be achieved using sustainable methods without the use of any chemicals, etc.
Unfortunately, today's farmers seem to think that organic and sustainable mean lower yields and that just is not true. They also do not want to take the extra effort to manage their soil beyond spraying or applying chemical/synthetic fertilizers. While managing the soil takes more effort, the results are a healthier product grown in organic fields that are rich in micro-organisms, good bacteria and nutrients that are passed along to the animal life that consumes them (Quality). If you build the soil, they will come. Our philosophy is Quality over Commodity.
Here is something I think
about a lot - our society today will spend unbelievable amounts of
money on cars and technology but want to spend as little as possible in
terms of TIME and MONEY on food - the sustenance of our life. Eat
fast, eat easy, eat cheap.
It is a
real challenge (and discipline) to change our personal eating habits in a
society and world where nutrient dense, diverse, healthy foods are
not readily available in the grocery stores. Contrary to what may be
said/promoted by many nutrition experts and politicians, what we all buy
in the grocery stores is still very questionable. Labels that sound
good don't necessarily mean they are good (natural, naturally raised or
Amish). You have to ask yourself what do those labels really mean? How
do you know? We are all familiar with the Capital One credit card
commercial line "What's in your wallet?". Here is a similar question we all
need to ask ourselves: "What is in your stomach?"
It is our opinion/philosophy that there are only two ways to truly know what you are eating:
1)
Grow it yourself (and educate yourself on how to grow sustainably as it
truly is more than just sticking a plant in the ground)
OR
2) Know your farmer.
We
want to commend LEWFM and its customers for
taking their food seriously. The emphasis that LEWFM puts on eating
locally (the Why's and How's series) and the interest we have seen from
so many of the LEWFM customers to get to know Honey Tree Acres and tour
our farm has been wonderful - and unique. We attend a number of farmer's
markets and LEWFM is the only market we have seen that makes this such
an important part of their mission. You our customers have
demonstrated both knowing your farmer and growing it yourself. We
commend everyone for both.
I recently
heard a quote from a priest who gives tremendous sermons: "Pressure is a
privilege". We are privileged to have the pressure that comes from
being held accountable by our customers and the LEWFM market to produce
more variety and great quality foods on the farm. It really energizes us
to continue to grow and improve in 2015. We look forward to, AND WILL
RISE TO, the challenge.
IMPORTANT HAPPENING AROUND TOWN
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| Click image to enlarge |
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 marker and around town.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT WINTER MARKET
Although all the vendors will have items that customers can purchase the day of market, if you would like to SAVE 10% on your purchases you can do so by pre-ordering your items from each of the vendors. You can pre-order while you are market each week, or if you won't be at market and would like information on how to place your pre-orders, email us at lewfmlocal@gmail.com. You can also find more information about how to pre-order and SAVE 10% by visiting the market's website lewfm.org Or you may call Mary at (513) 481-1914.
The SAVE 10% offer is not valid on meat and craft purchases.
For a full listing of our vendors, their products, and services including:
You can also see up-to-the-minute news on the market's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lewfm.org
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT WINTER MARKET
Although all the vendors will have items that customers can purchase the day of market, if you would like to SAVE 10% on your purchases you can do so by pre-ordering your items from each of the vendors. You can pre-order while you are market each week, or if you won't be at market and would like information on how to place your pre-orders, email us at lewfmlocal@gmail.com. You can also find more information about how to pre-order and SAVE 10% by visiting the market's website lewfm.org Or you may call Mary at (513) 481-1914.
The SAVE 10% offer is not valid on meat and craft purchases.
For a full listing of our vendors, their products, and services including:
- Kids & Krafts (available starting at about 4:15), 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
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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Please share this newsletter with friends and family to help spread the word about LEWFM!
Produce Perks
For
those who noticed the new logo at the bottom of the newsletter recently
and wondered what it means, here is the good news about a new program
that began this summer. Produce Perks is an incentive program that is
meant to encourage and help those who receive EBT (formerly known as
food stamps) purchase more produce. Produce Perks is a dollar for
dollar match (up to $10), with the matching dollars used on produce.
The Produce Perks website offers the following additional information:
Please
help us spread the word about this very worthwhile program. One way to
help get the word out is to stop by the market management booth to pick
up brochures to share with those you know who receive EBT benefits. You
could also leave brochures at your church, doctor or dentist's office,
or any locations that would permit you to do so. For
those who noticed the new logo at the bottom of the newsletter recently
and wondered what it means, here is the good news about a new program
that began this summer. Produce Perks is an incentive program that is
meant to encourage and help those who receive EBT (formerly known as
food stamps) purchase more produce. Produce Perks is a dollar for
dollar match (up to $10), with the matching dollars used on produce.
The Produce Perks website offers the following additional information:“Produce Perks” is an initiative modeled after a similar program in Cuyahoga County. It is administered by OSU Extension, Hamilton County as a partnership of OSU Extension, Hamilton County; the City of Cincinnati Health Department; and the City of Cincinnati Creating Healthy Communities initiative. Focus is on access and affordability of healthy fruits and vegetables for under-served consumers.
Produce Perks are incentive tokens given to customers at participating farmers’ markets who use an Ohio Direction Card (“electronic benefits transfer” or EBT card) to purchase food. A customer wishing to use their food assistance benefits can swipe their card at one central terminal, located at participating market’s information booths, and ask to withdraw a desired amount. The market provides tokens for the transaction and additional Produce Perks that can be spent on fruits and vegetables. As the name suggests, Produce Perks are only good for purchasing fruits and vegetables. All other tokens purchased with the Ohio Direction Card are good to use on eligible items at the market.
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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!
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