Dothan, Alabama:  March 9, 2019 M@D Newsletter

This Week’s Newsletter:
Our Core Values
Market Chitchat
Grower Overview

What We’re About

Every once in a while someone asks why our Market does not have (insert fruit or vegetable product) grocers and roadside vendors. They thought it strange those people would offer certain food items that we do not.

While roadside products may appear FRESH, (as opposed to overripe or poor quality), sometimes that’s not the case as many items can be refrigerated an extended time or ripened with gasses before being put on display for sale. They are seldom LOCAL. More often than not, they have been purchased from a wholesaler who got vast quantities by truck from down in Florida. If not there they’ve probably been hauled off a boat from Central America. These too have been subject to refrigeration, spray, dye or gasses. Market at Dothan limits our distance to within fifty miles of Dothan, ensuring that the food you purchase from us is truly LOCAL. As far as FRESH, it is usually picked 1-2 days before pickup on Fridays.

Another issue is SUSTAINABILITY. Sustainability is all about growing food without depleting natural resources. The nutrients taken from the soil by crops must be replaced using natural methods. The USDA defines sustainable farming as agriculture that:

*Enhances the natural resources upon which society lives
*Efficiently uses resources by implementing natural controls and biocycles
*Is economically viable
*Enhances life for farmers and those eating the products

The grand hope of sustainable farming is that mankind will be able to continue living off the land without depleting natural resources and ruining the earth. To be sustainable, farmers must also be able to afford their business.

While sometimes underappreciated, the kumquat provides a fresh source of chewable vitamin C during winter cold and flu season. Kumquats grow well in the Wiregrass and many homeowners let them go to waste.

The last core value of Market at Dothan is YEAR ROUND. While it is nice to serve fresh berries during the fall and winter, it is not natural, and it is not necessarily what our bodies need the most. Case in point: citrus in this region ripens and is available most of the winter months. What does citrus offer? Vitamin C. We all know that. And what do we need during the fall and winter months to help fight off colds and flu? Vitamin C, of course. There are other studies showing the value of root vegetables during the cold months as well as leafy green brasseric vegetables which are very popular in the deep south.

The downside of a Year Round Market is unpredictable conditions and weather. Those of you who ordered greens from Avalon a couple of weeks ago experienced this after aphids devoured her crop. This time last year Danny was recovering from a freeze that killed everything he had.

Thank you to all our customers who stick with us through the thick and thin of farming life. We enjoy serving and and deeply appreciate you.

MARKET CHITCHAT

The Good News Our first Spring Farmer’s Market held earlier today was MARVELOUS! Marvelous weather, marvelous vendors, marvelous folks coming to visit. Five of our regular Market vendors were present and we were joined by Mt. Moriah Farms, She Sings Bling, Lewis Farms and Make it with a B. If you are not familiar with these folks and their products they’ll be back on April 13 for our next Spring Farmer’s Market.

The Bad News Coastal Sharps sends their apologies to our Market customers who brought knives and scissors to be sharpened. If we have not shared this with you before, Amory lost her home to Michael last October and pretty much had to start over. She has landed further away from Dothan in a very demanding job. The combination was just too much and she could not get away. No future visits are planned until her schedule is more stable.

Ending on a high note Market at Dothan is teaming with the Get Green Alabama initiative to organize a fun and educational event at Dothan Nurseries on April 18. The official announcement will go out next week sometime. We can’t tell you too much except to mark your calendars for that day.

WHO DOES WHAT? PART 1

Because we are a year round market, not every grower lists product every week.

3LC Apiary Great Beekeepers! 3LC honey is produced within the city limits of Dothan and contains nectar and pollen from landscaped as well a wild growing plant sources.

AVALON FARMS Avalaon Farms has produced quality sustainable produce & eggs in the Wiregrass for many years. They have recently added pastured chicken to their listings as they become available.

CASABLANCA RANCH. Read more about them: http://casablancaranch.com/. Locally Grown Hormone Free Santa Gertrudis Beef

D’S JELLIES – D’s Mayhaw Jelly, Hot Pepper Jelly, and BlackBerry Jelly.

DANNY’S GREENS Tender and tenderly cared for sustainable lettuce mixes all year round.

GRIER ACRES Just getting started on their sustainable journey. Great folks! You’ll hear more from them!

HORTON’S FARM Natural Goodness from the Hive and the Heart.

Suwanee Whole Life Co-op:  Pi Day is 3/14 - order Crave Pie

Pi Day is coming up this Thursday 3/14! Don’t forget to order a freshly baked pie from Crave Pie for pick up this Wednesday. Personal size and full sizes available! Order at www.suwanee.locallygrown.net

Dutch Apple Pie
Maple Pecan Pie
Spiced Cran-Apple Pear w/ Walnut Streusel Pie
Dutch Cranberry Apple Pie
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Broccoli Cheddar Quiche
Spinach & Roasted Pepper Quiche
Spinach Artichoke Quiche
Sun Dried Tomato Basil Pesto Quiche

Champaign, OH:  Vacation Brain

Hello!!!

I have been so off the grid, off social media, and not even taking pictures because my brain is on vacation!

But, I totally forgot to take myself off of vacation mode, since I will be returning on Monday!

So….Cosmic Charlie is back on the market!

Kimmy Shark dog cookies are now called, Barkery Creations!

We now have a new vendor, Allison, with Seed and Sparrow!

Ok…be back to you, soon!

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Lake Placid Online Farmer's Market:  March Market Open!

Hi All,

The Market is open for ordering! As always, please email with any questions!

Best,
Christie

Statesboro Market2Go:  The Market is Open!

Thanks for shopping with us! Find lots of fresh, delicious, local produce, milk, seafood, and meats. We also have items that are already prepared and ready to eat, made from local ingredients.

Now is the time for Spring planting – find a wide variety of native fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and flowering plants from Southern Native Plantings. Support your local nursery, farmer, and market by ordering them through Statesboro Market2Go!

Find new items from 920 Cattle & Co, Sugar Magnolia Bakery & Cafe, Scratch Made, Caribbean Feast, and Southern Soaked.

Doug’s Wild Alaska Salmon pick up date for salmon will be on March 14th.

Ma’s Country Pantry is running a March special on their Jams and Fruit Butters. There’s a variety of flavors to choose from, including their FROG Jam! (Fig, Raspberry, Orange, Ginger)

Remember we have changed locations for our Statesboro pickup to the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau at 222 S. Main St. Hours will remain the same, and our Sylvania pickup will remain the same at Victory Garden General Store.

Click to read about our exciting changes. We are eliminating the annual membership fee and in its place — because we have to maintain support for the market — we’re instituting a surcharge of 7% on each order, beginning on March 1st.

Augusta Locally Grown:  THE ONLINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

Thank you for supporting local farmers and prioritizing the benefits of the local ag economy.

Considering joining our new online forum to help each other focus on this priority. We’re doing it together, for the benefit of our own health and the health of our family members.

It’s called “Get Real Augusta!”

Register for this free community challenge at getreal.augustalocallygrown.org.

Cheers!

Russellville Community Market:  The Market Opens at Noon!

To ensure your order is placed, make sure you click the “Place My Order” button once you have completed your shopping. You will receive a confirmation email.

Orders will be ready for pick from 4PM – 6:30PM this Tuesday at the Downtown Russellville Train Depot!

-
The Market Opens at Noon! We have vegan lemon lavender cookies, a variety bouquet of jonquils, daffodils, and narcissus, Ralston Rice, free range eggs, beef brisket, kale, beeswax lotion bars, dog treats, and tons of other goodies on the market this week.
Make sure to check it out and place your order!

Russellville Community Market

FRESH.LOCAL.ONLINE

McColloms Market:  March FFFN Order is Open

Hi All:

The Market is now open until Monday evening. Pick up will be next Wed.

Happy shopping.

Best,

Melinda
518-354-0202

Suwanee Whole Life Co-op:  Duluth Cottage Kitchen

Addition to newletter: Eva from Duluth Cottage Kitchen will be gone March 13-23.
She will deliver on the 13th in route to the airport but will not be on the market the following week.

CLG:  Chicken Tortilla Soup! CLG Pickup TODAY 3:30-6pm. Bring eggshells, glass jars, & egg cartons please.

Good morning,

Maria will have a big pot of her soul-warming Chicken Tortilla Soup and other goodies today. Come early!

If you ordered PLANTS, please bring a box for them. There will be more PLANTS on the Extras table.

This is a pickup reminder for those of you who ordered this week. Thank you for your order! You can pick up your order from 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 925 Mitchell Street in Conway.

Usually our awesome volunteers have the market ready for customers to pick up before 4pm. If you are out and about and want to know if we are ready, just text me to see: 501-339-1039.

If something comes up that you cannot personally pick up your order today, please contact someone to pick up for you.

Remember to bring your EGGSHELLS, glass jars for recycling, egg cartons, and bags for ordered items. Reduce, reuse, recycle! See you this afternoon.

Come early for the best selection from the EXTRAS table! Even if you didn’t make an order, you can come by to shop the EXTRAS table.
Steve