The Weblog
This weblog contains LocallyGrown.net news and the weblog entries from all the markets currently using the system.
To visit the authoring market’s website, click on the market name located in the entry’s title.
Joyful Noise Acres Farm: The market is open for ordering.
I know it is early but I will hit the ground running in the morning so thought I would get a head start with the market.
We have a new order of cheese to come in. I did order extra cheddar since that seems to sell out the quickest. We will have fresh butter Wednesday afternoon most likely but still have a few available until then.
We are blessed to have another source for our lamb. Cedar Rock Dairy provides us with grass fed and finished lamb. They have a lot of organ meat right now if anyone is interested. Lamb and beef hearts, kidneys, tongue, and oxtail. If you are interested in those, let me know. We hope to have a supply of bones delivered next week so ask for them when you come by on Wednesday.
Simply Oh! continues to supply us with her wonderful personal care items. From handmade soaps and shampoos to household cleaners, she keeps it clean and organic.
Good Shepherd Herbals will be delivering Elderberry Syrup in 2 weeks. Please go ahead and pre-order so that she will know how many more to bring. We are so grateful that she continues to supply the market although they have moved.
If you know of someone that would like to join our market as a grower or client, please refer them. We love to grow!
Blessings,
Mary Beth
Champaign, OH: SHH Tasting Invitation!
Swisher Hill Herbs-Football, Food, Tasting, Love
Some words and an invitation from Charlene and Joe…they bring you love from Swisher Hill Herbs in the form of a tasting…
January is filled with football bowl games and NFL playoffs every weekend ending with the Granddaddy of them all, the Super Bowl on Feb 1. Whether you are having a party, going to a party or just relaxing at home to enjoy the games the Virtual Market can help you with your menu. Swisher Hill Herbs would like to help get this party going…..
Swisher Hill Herbs is having a Tasting!!! Touchdown Thursday – January 22, 2015 In the YMCA lobby from 4:00-6:00pm Virtual Market Vendors and customers. Visit our sample table! Dips – cheese ball- Chili – Meatballs and more!
Pick up recipe ideas and suggestions for how you can make the Champaign Virtual Market your party shopping headquarters!
Champaign, OH: Since You Been Gone
Since you been gone, since you been gone…
I’m outta my head, can’t take it…
Could I be wrong? But since you been gone…
(Rainbow – Since You’ve Been Gone)
So, this song…you couldn’t have been kicking around in the late 70s without having blasted this song, singing at the top of your lungs, cruising around in super cool cars.
If you read my Weblogs, are friends with me on Social Media pages, are fans of my business page, you know I have bonds that run super deep to my growing up in the West End of my hometown, you know my bonds are still super close to my West End pals, and you know that we ran wild back in those days.
I remember parents leaving on vacation, leaving teens with food, beverages, money, and a car…while they were out of town. Okay, it was the 70s, we lived in a sheltered neighborhood, and, well, who cared…we were teens! Home alone! I’m sorry that we weren’t sorry for our parents leaving all of us…it was the best of times.
One of my best memories was of parents leaving, my best pals all assembling the obligatory house party, my guy pals hauling enormous speakers out on the roof of the house, tunes blaring, cars lining up, party in session. This song…this reminds me of one such afternoon.
Back then, we had no idea we were making these memories…we just liked to have fun. I have been reflecting, a lot, back to those years. The places, the times, the people…some of the best in my life. The West End will always have so much of my heart, my pals, so much of my soul. I believe in true friendships, I believe in history of friends, I believe that where you came from makes you the person you become in adulthood.
This is one of the reasons that I love our little local market of love. I feel strongly in the bonds, the customers, the products, and did I say…the customers??
Our customers…the weekly loyals, the monthly loyals, the every couple of months, the once a year customers…all of you…we love you, we want you ALL part of this market, and if we don’t see you for a while, we wonder about you, we care about you, we love you, and we start to get blue….
Because, Since You Been Gone…we just can’t take it!
The market is now open the week!! Make us happy…all of you…throw us an order…let us know you still think about us…we look forward to seeing all of you, next week, at order pick up!
And…why not…you won’t want to miss The Swisher Hill Herb Tasting, on that night!!
C’mon…since you’ve been gone…we’ve missed you!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam
Suwanee Whole Life Co-op: News: Group Buy and $10 Referral from NGE
*
Suwanee Whole Life Co-op
How to contact us:
Our Website: suwanee.locallygrown.net
Pick Up Location: 4942 Austin Park Avenue, Buford GA 30518 on Tuesdays
Facebook: Suwanee Whole Life Co-op
Google Group Discussion Board: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/suwanee-whole-life-co-op
Group Buy: Milk Carriers and Pour Caps
Due to many requests from new and regular members we are doing a group buy for Milk Carriers from Yesteryear Homewares and Mason Jar Pour Caps from reCap.
The milk carriers make it a lot easier to carry the glass milk jars and also ensures they don’t bump up against another and possibly crack.
“Don’t cry over spilled milk.” The person who coined this phrase obviously does not buy milk from the co-op! In an effort to make the milk from glass Mason jars a little easier to pour I have found an ingenious product- mason jar pour caps from reCap Mason Jars.
One would think that Mason jars have been around since 1858 that there would be plenty of products that would solve this problem but this is the only one I could find. It is made of BPA-free plastic and designed to coordinate with the charming vintage zinc caps.
Proudly made in the USA, spill-proof, top rack dishwasher safe and can be used on all wide mouth mason jars. “Shake, Pour, Store: – grains and cereals – maple syrup, honey, milk… – homemade dressing – household cleaners”.
We are able to get bulk pricing and the caps are only $5.50 each and milk carriers are $7.50. Price include shipping, taxes and fees. We have to reach certain minimums to get this pricing.
 |
 |
Refer a Friend and earn $10 from Nature’s Garden Express!
We’d love for you to help us spread the word about Nature’s Garden Express organic produce boxes! Each friend that signs up with Nature’s Garden Express and uses your code will receive $10 off their first box *of organic produce box. *For each person you refer that receives a box, they will add $10 credit to your NGE account.
It’s the ultimate win-win, and there’s no limit to how much credit you can earn.
Plus you will both get our co-op discount if they have their box delivered to our pick up location!
Just do the following:
1. Log in at naturesgardenexpress.com
2. Click on “My Invites” (located on the left side of webpage
3. Share your promo code
 |
HELP! We need Volunteers!!
THANK YOU *Diana, Pam, Chuck and Stephanie for helping on Tuesday! You guys are a blessing! We couldn’t have a co-op without volunteers and we appreciate you all so much!
WE are short 1 volunteer next week! Please consider helping out if you can.
If you are interested in volunteering, I have created a volunteer sign up on Signup Genius. I am asking for volunteers to sign up for 1 hour shifts from 2p to 6:45 pm. No packing is involved just need someone to be there to assist other members. You are welcome to bring your kids as long as they are supervised. Here is the link to the sign up http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AEA623A7FA7-volunteer
The link is also posted on the About page on our website.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Upcoming Group Buys
Below is a list of upcoming co-op group buys to help with planning and budgeting. All dates are subject to change.
Yesteryear Homewares & reCap – Milk Carriers and Pour caps – 1/16/15 – 1/18/15
Great Lakes Gelatin – Collagen Hydrolysate 1/23/15 – 1/25/15
Green Pasture – Fermented Cod Liver Oils- 1/23/15 – 1/25/15
We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!
The Cumming Harvest - Closed: JUST IN...Eggs
18 doz eggs were just listed from Wholesome Country Farm. Chickens are picky when they lay and the cold weather has slowed production. Thanks Wholesome Country!
Log in to place your order. They will go fast!
Gwinnett Locally Grown: The Market is open for ordering!
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
BULK BUY FOR GREEN PASTURES!
We are going to place an order for Fermented Cod Liver Oil for those interested in taking advantage of the many health benefits of FCLO and the savings! It is real pricey if you order individually, so email me if you are interested!
Green Pastures posts…
Many of the great historical cultures had one sacred food which they relied on to ensure strong mind, body, and spirit: Fermented fish/fish liver oil. The Mighty Roman Soldier was given a daily ration of fermented fish oil. The Stoic Scandinavian Viking had a drum of fermenting cod livers outside the door of his home. Grandma always had a bottle of cod liver oil in the back cupboard.
If you ordered from Mother Earth Meats, please email us the order so we can make sure we have all you purchased!
Attention***
*Please share with friends and family about us so that we can give more people the opportunity to buy and eat healthy! Local farmers need our support to keep providing us with all the fresh foods! If we don’t give them enough business, it’s hard for them to continue to deliver to us. Please let’s not let that happen! Tell your friends about us so we can keep the Growers supported as this is how they make their living. *
I hope that this year will be the best year in health for you and your family!
Browse through to see all the great Growers we have and maybe you will find something new!
We 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!
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.
Fountain Fresh Dairy LLC: Market Closed
Hello everyone, We are closing the market for the winter. Thanks for your business this past season!
The Cumming Harvest - Closed: Newsletter - January 14th, 2015
Market News
A couple of things before I get into the second issue of how the market works.
Ancient Awakenings unfortunately will only be able to do deliver to the Cumming Harvest market every other weekend for the time being. This weekend they are out of town, but will be back next week and then every other week there after.
Indian Creek Angus has added a half and quarter cow to the market this week.
1/2 Hanging Weight, 429lbs – Bone In Steaks (Rib Steaks, T bones, and Sirloins). It also includes ground beef, cube steak, boneless stew, roasts, short ribs and soup bones. Approximately 139 lbs of beef.
1/4 Hanging Weight, 429lbs – Bone Out Steaks (Ribeyes, Filets, NY Strips, and Sirloins). It also includes ground beef, cube steak, boneless stew, roasts, short ribs and soup bones. Approximately 64 lbs of beef.
Both of these are listed online.
2B Whole is selling this week, gluten free breads, cakes, cookies and donuts.
My Daily Bread is offering a sale on some of their Jam and Jelly, now only $5. They also have their Sourdough and Multigrain bread loaves on sale for $6.50.
Farm Fresh Foods is taking this week off, she’ll be back next week.
Cheese and Butter I will be sending in a group order of Raw Cheese from Meadow Valley Farm in Indiana and of Raw Butter. The cheese is between $7.25-$8/lb and comes in Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Havarti, Jalapeno Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, Baby Swiss, Mozzarella and Sharp Cheddar. Place your order online.
Farmer of the Day We have a new vendor coming to the market, Snack N Joy, offering a line of gluten free items. She is currently a “grower” with Mary Beth at Joyful Noise Acres and is currently a vendor in the Atlanta area with Whole Foods Markets. Her gluten free items are milled in small batches with nutrient rich organic grains into flour which are then baked into muffins, cookies and breads. Organic fruits and nuts are used whenever possible. Preservatives or fillers are never used and all dairy is from cows not treated with rBST.
Now, back to the market detail…last week I reviewed legal issues and how the money is transferred. This week we’ll go over finances. This is pretty lengthy and much of it is copied from our mother market manager, Eric Wagoner, at Athens Locally Grown. He’s got this market thing down since this is his 15th year. We’ve been in business going on 5 years this coming August and even though I should have it down, I still need to refer to the mother ship from time to time.
First off, we’re legally an LLC, and the market is owned and operated by me. You may have heard the market described as a co-op but it has never legally been one even though it’s run in a cooperative spirit.
We’re not a non-profit, either, but we’ve structured things so that over time the market can just barely cover its own expenses. Just like all of our member farms are sustainable growers, the market itself needs to be sustainable. So how do we cover its expenses? One small way is through the memberships you pay. The $25 a year you give to the market is enough (to put it bluntly) to cover most of the costs of having you as a customer: banking fees from depositing your checks, paper and ink for printing, web hosting fees, and that sort of thing. There really isn’t much left and I’m happy to provide those that ask, a copy of our budget. We currently have 190 paid members out of the 1552 active accounts on the website.
By far the bulk of our funding comes from the growers themselves. They pay a 10% commission on their sales through the site. This money covers the storage we use, the tables and shelves used to spread out and organize your orders, the food allowance we offer our volunteers, rent and utilities, etc. During the slow parts of the year, the sales are usually not enough to cover our weekly costs, but in the busy times (late fall and early spring, for us) there is extra. If we plan things out well, it pretty much all evens out in the end.
Last year, the total sales and memberships combined through the market amounted to $168,509.00. 90% of the sales went straight to our growers, and the rest went to a food allowance for our volunteers ($50 a week), rent ($120/month), web hosting ($5,140/year), transportation, insurance and various small business expenses. The “profit” gets counted as personal income on my tax forms, and comes out to roughly $3000/year.
The growers get paid out of the shared cashbox for their previous week’s sales when they drop off their items, during the hour before we open the market. Then, you arrive and pay into the cashbox for your order. We used to then rush to the bank to deposit the money to cover the checks we just wrote to the growers, but now the growers get paid the following week (money you pay via credit cards takes up to a week to reach our account). As explained elsewhere on the website, you are really ordering directly from and paying the growers yourself, but our shared cashbox system makes things convenient for you and them. (Imagine if you ordered from ten growers having to write ten checks when you picked up your items!) This shared cashbox system has so far satisfied the tax man, but it does mean that if you place an order and then never arrive to pick it up, we’re left holding the bag. For that reason, you are responsible for paying for orders not picked up, and that amount is automatically added on to your next order for your convenience.
So, in probably far too much detail, that’s how we operate financially. Our market might be more expensive to run than a traditional “booths and tables” farmers market, but that price buys a system that’s simple, time-saving, flexible, and in my opinion, just better. There’s no money in the bank, but the market is paying for itself and that’s my primary financial goal. If you’d like to talk with me in person about this or any other aspects of TCH, just pull me aside when you come by to pick up your order.
LOCATION
Building 106, Colony Park Dr. in the Basement of Suite 100, Cumming, GA 30040.
Google Map
PICK UP HOURS
Saturday from 10-12pm.
106 Colony Park Drive, Suite 100 Cumming, GA 30040
Please contact me if you have any questions, problems or suggestions. EMAIL ME
To view the harvest today and tomorrow till 8pm, visit “The Market” page on our website, The Cumming Harvest
We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!
Champaign, OH: Show Us The Love!
Just a reminder that you have one hour to get your orders in!
Don’t miss out!!
Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam