We are now on our Summer Market schedule: Fridays 3:00 - 7:00 P.M.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT & FOR ACTION
Given that the topic of GMOs is the news nearly every day, I'm sure everyone has
heard many different slants on the issue of Genetically Modified Organisms. Sometimes, after hearing something over and over so many times, we might feel like tuning out to all of it. However, can we really ever completely tune out a topic that is so vital to our health and that of our families? Instead, shouldn't we tune in in order to find ways we can personally make a difference? I say a resounding yes! to that question.
The picture above gives us much to ponder - and act upon. What part have we each played in getting food production and distribution into its current sad state? More importantly, what actions can we each take to bring our food production and distribution back to one that promotes health for all, rather than "wealth" for a few at the top? It seems rather simple to me: Support your local producers through making your purchases at the farmers' market. Doing so allows you the opportunity to know where your food comes from and where your money goes. Does this take more work and effort? Maybe, but the payoff in return is so worth it. Conversely, the results of not taking the time to choose quality products and preparing quality meals has contributed to the mess our food system is currently experiencing.
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| Click image to enlarge |
The picture above gives us much to ponder - and act upon. What part have we each played in getting food production and distribution into its current sad state? More importantly, what actions can we each take to bring our food production and distribution back to one that promotes health for all, rather than "wealth" for a few at the top? It seems rather simple to me: Support your local producers through making your purchases at the farmers' market. Doing so allows you the opportunity to know where your food comes from and where your money goes. Does this take more work and effort? Maybe, but the payoff in return is so worth it. Conversely, the results of not taking the time to choose quality products and preparing quality meals has contributed to the mess our food system is currently experiencing.
PRODUCE UPDATE
What is the most sought after produce item this time of year? If you guessed tomatoes, you would be correct. The next most sought after produce item is corn. Our farmers are busily working to bring these favorite items to you ASAP. Unfortunately, their efforts alone are not enough. As we know, the weather plays a huge part in produce coming to fruition. Talking with one of our farmers last week, I was reminded about the challenges of farming. He said the weather this year has been particularly challenging, either too hot too soon and either too dry or too wet. And that doesn't even take into account the insects and other critters that can plague produce production. But be patient and they will come. In the meantime, enjoy the plethora of produce currently available at market: salad greens and cooking greens, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, radishes, several varieties of beets, green cabbage and red cabbage, leeks, kohlrabi, etc. And thank the farmers who provide the bounty.
AND THE WINNER IS.....
The winner of last week's free market bag is Claire A. Five down and fifteen to go. Yes, we will be giving away a free market bag every week through the middle of October. If you are not familiar with how the pre-order/free market bag promo works, see further details in the Previously Announced section.
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Some of you are long-time readers of the newsletter; others are new to the market and are reading the newsletter for the first time. This section is included each week to bring your attention to important happenings around the market and around town.
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Pre-ordering Pays Off
Have
you ever arrived at market to purchase your favorite item/s from your
favorite vendor/s only to be disappointed because the vendor/s sold out
of the item/s? Did you know that that no longer has to happen? At
LEWFM you can pre-order your items and pick them up any time during
market hours of 3:00 - 7:00 P.M. Pre-ordering not only pays off for
you, it also helps the vendors know how much to prepare/harvest, which
greatly reduces waste. Pre-ordering is a real win-win for all, and it
only takes a few minutes of your time to plan ahead and place your
order. Given the importance of Eating Well, getting into the habit of
placing your pre-orders each week will likely become a high priority on
your weekly To Do List.
There are two easy ways you can place your pre-orders, in person at market or via email. Here's how the email ordering works: Email me at LEWFMLOCAL@GMAIL.COM and ask to be added to the vendor email pre-order list. Each week you will receive an email from the vendors detailing the items they have available for you to order that week. Reply to their email, letting them know the items you wish to order, then come to market on Friday to pick up your items.
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For a full listing of our vendors, their products, and services including:
Newsletter compiled by Mary A. Hutten, Market Manager
What is the most sought after produce item this time of year? If you guessed tomatoes, you would be correct. The next most sought after produce item is corn. Our farmers are busily working to bring these favorite items to you ASAP. Unfortunately, their efforts alone are not enough. As we know, the weather plays a huge part in produce coming to fruition. Talking with one of our farmers last week, I was reminded about the challenges of farming. He said the weather this year has been particularly challenging, either too hot too soon and either too dry or too wet. And that doesn't even take into account the insects and other critters that can plague produce production. But be patient and they will come. In the meantime, enjoy the plethora of produce currently available at market: salad greens and cooking greens, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, radishes, several varieties of beets, green cabbage and red cabbage, leeks, kohlrabi, etc. And thank the farmers who provide the bounty.
AND THE WINNER IS.....
The winner of last week's free market bag is Claire A. Five down and fifteen to go. Yes, we will be giving away a free market bag every week through the middle of October. If you are not familiar with how the pre-order/free market bag promo works, see further details in the Previously Announced section.
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Some of you are long-time readers of the newsletter; others are new to the market and are reading the newsletter for the first time. This section is included each week to bring your attention to important happenings around the market and around town.
New Pre-order Promo: Win a Free Market Bag
Beginning June 5th we will be giving away a free market bag to a lucky winner. Actually, there will be 20 lucky winners because we will be giving away a market bag each week for 20 weeks. To be eligible to win a free market bag, you simply need to place a pre-order with any vendor. Each time you pick up your pre-order your name will be entered into the drawing to win a free market bag. To learn more about pre-ordering, see the article Pre-ordering Pays Off (below).
The free market bag give away is made possible by the generous gift of
Erin McDermott, one of the market's volunteers.
Erin, a volunteer from Bridgetown, began spending time at the
market to meet some nearby neighbors. She loves to help make sure things
run smoothly and offer her friendly smile as a market greeter. Erin is a
talented seamstress and recently decided to sew a few market bags to
give away at the market. She wants to thank
the West-siders she sees at Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market for
shopping local, and for taking part in an important community
endeavor. Be sure to introduce yourself next time you see Erin at the
market!
Beginning June 5th we will be giving away a free market bag to a lucky winner. Actually, there will be 20 lucky winners because we will be giving away a market bag each week for 20 weeks. To be eligible to win a free market bag, you simply need to place a pre-order with any vendor. Each time you pick up your pre-order your name will be entered into the drawing to win a free market bag. To learn more about pre-ordering, see the article Pre-ordering Pays Off (below).
The free market bag give away is made possible by the generous gift of
Erin McDermott, one of the market's volunteers.
 |
| Erin, busy sewing market bags |
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Pre-ordering Pays Off
Have
you ever arrived at market to purchase your favorite item/s from your
favorite vendor/s only to be disappointed because the vendor/s sold out
of the item/s? Did you know that that no longer has to happen? At
LEWFM you can pre-order your items and pick them up any time during
market hours of 3:00 - 7:00 P.M. Pre-ordering not only pays off for
you, it also helps the vendors know how much to prepare/harvest, which
greatly reduces waste. Pre-ordering is a real win-win for all, and it
only takes a few minutes of your time to plan ahead and place your
order. Given the importance of Eating Well, getting into the habit of
placing your pre-orders each week will likely become a high priority on
your weekly To Do List. There are two easy ways you can place your pre-orders, in person at market or via email. Here's how the email ordering works: Email me at LEWFMLOCAL@GMAIL.COM and ask to be added to the vendor email pre-order list. Each week you will receive an email from the vendors detailing the items they have available for you to order that week. Reply to their email, letting them know the items you wish to order, then come to market on Friday to pick up your items.
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For a full listing of our vendors, their products, and services including:
- Kids & Krafts, 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
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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 logo at the bottom of the newsletter recently
and wondered what it means, here is the good news about a new program. 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 logo at the bottom of the newsletter recently
and wondered what it means, here is the good news about a new program. 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!
Newsletter compiled by Mary A. Hutten, Market Manager
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