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.
Dothan, Alabama: May 16, 2020 M@D Newsletter
Yes, we Can Can!
Market Chitchat
Grower Notes: Richter Farms & Avalon Farms
CANNING SEASON IS UPON US
If you’re like a lot of southern (and northeast, and midwest and northwest and southwest . . . oh shoot the whole country) country folk, you grew up eating green beans and tomatoes and an assortment of pickles, relishes, jams and jellies from a mason jar. If it originated in your mom or grandma’s kitchen it was indeed some good eating as it was picked and preserved at the height of freshness. Unlike grocer counterparts, you didn’t have to worry about what may be added to enhance color, freshness or flavor.
Canning has never really gone out of style, but its not as popular as it one was. Succeeding generations have not picked up where mothers and grandmothers left off as evidenced by all the unwanted jars and equipment that estates are often left to deal with. Really great stuff often winds up in the dump, flea markets, Craigs list or thrift stores.
Covid is changing minds and more people are more people become interested in taking control of their pantry and food supply. The good news is one can start simple with nothing more than a few jars and a big old stock pot. The possibilities are pretty amazing from there and thanks to the internet even old hats like this writer are learning new methods and recipes every day. Best of all some of the new equipment like the Carey Electric Canner that Richter Farms uses has removed some of the fear that held a lot of would be canners back.
This is the perfect time of year to start canning. Strawberries are still in season and blueberries and blackberries are still to come. One young family went out to pick strawberries this week and came home with 25 gallons of fresh picked green beans, and no idea what to do with them. With both Sysco and commercial operations disposing of perfectly edible fresh food, why should it go to waste? Your market manager nearly cried a couple of weeks ago when we learned of a local charity throwing out cases of fresh mushrooms because nobody wanted them.
So give it some thought and if you’re interested, speak up! There are a lot of us, both growers and customers, in our M@D family with years of experience who would love to help. Next week we’ll be sharing some good resources. We know canning is not for everyone but for those of us who’ve got our feet wet and got in the water, there is something deeply satisfying about the whole business. Like one lady said “It makes me feel like a Proverbs 31 woman.”
Oh, and the lady with the green beans . . . she’s bringing them all to my house to process next week.
MARKET CHITCHAT
We’re excited to WELCOME BACK Restoration Gardens! The Tavares Family were locallygrown.net and Certified Naturally Grown farmers before they moved to our area a few years back. Their garden is just starting to produce and they’ll be adding new products as they become available.
Few things sadden us more than when someone comes to pick up an order that doesn’t exist. This sometimes happens when that last button on the page showing all your ordered items doesn’t get pushed just right. There are several things you can do to make sure this does not happen to you:
1. Check to make sure you have an email order confirmation. It will show you everything on your order page.
2. On your “My Account” page, click Your Order History. The order you just placed should be at the top of the list.
3. If your order is not showing in your order history email [email protected] and we’ll check it for you.
We are slowly getting back to having TABLE SALES available on Fridays. Covid prevented us from doing this for many weeks and with the state starting to open up and our growers gardens producing abundantly its an unintended blessing that you can take advantage of if you’re comfortable doing so.
While we’re on the topic of opening up – we plan to start using MARKET BAGS again the first Friday in June.
Our COVID protocol is still in place for everyone who wants curbside service.
I. Order Payment:
1. Voluntarily prepay by 6 pm Thursday if possible using this PAYPAL link. This eliminates passing paper currency back and forth or handling of debit/credit cards on site. Your invoice will be marked PAID and pickup is fast and easy.
2. You may use PAYPAL curbside on Friday. Not quite as efficient as we have to verify receipt but it does work.
3. Debit/Credit – yes, we still take cards using our regular system. We just have to get within 6 feet for you to put your card in the chip reader. We do our best to avoid touching your card or you touching the equipment which means we sign an “x” for your signature.
4. Cash and Checks – please put them in a plastic baggie or bank bag. If you want to put them in your trunk/tailgate that would eliminate the need to come near the drivers window
II. Curb Service: It’s OK to pull up next to the building. In fact we recommend it as tractor trailers sometimes need to share that space. Have your trunk/ hatchback open and we’ll load you up!
GROWER NOTES
RICHTER FARMS PORK IS RELISTED We have ground, mild pan, chops, sliced ham, boston butt. The smoked sausage, smoked ham and bacon (smoked the old fashion way) won’t be ready until early June.
AVALON FARMS:
Started digging taters this morning. We planted our standard Red New Potatoes but also planted fingerling potatoes too. We are very excited about the fingerling potatoes! There is a white skin and a red skin for visual interest.
Fingerling potatoes have a waxy texture similar to new potatoes, but with a thinner tinder skin. Great for roasting or boiling since they hold their shape so well.
There will be some new listings of Asian greens and perhaps turnip greens.
Blackberries are getting started! Yummy. There will be some of those listed too.
FOOTNOTES
We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite recipe, want to write a product review, have an idea or request for an article or information, let us know! You can reply to this newsletter or write [email protected].
Order Saturday 5pm to Tuesday 5pm weekly for Pickup the following Friday
Dothan Pickup: 10am – 12pm, Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
Daleville Pickup: 11am – 11:30am, Parking area behind Daleville Chamber of Commerce
Enterprise Pickup: 12pm – 12:30pm, Grocery Advantage, 1032 Boll Weevil Circle, Enterprise
Our Email: [email protected]
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
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!
Miami County Locally Grown: We close tonight at 9!
Just a few more hours to get your order in for the week, before we close at 9 tonight!
Yes, curbside service will continue Tuesday at pickup :-)
To answer many questions about this – you are more than welcome to place as many orders per week as you’d like! And one check is absolutely fine to combine payment for as many orders as you placed that week.
Any questions about your total amount due Tuesday, please feel free to email me at [email protected] concerning that or any other issue :-)
And Food Pantry donations are accepted ANY Tuesday!
THANK YOU!! Enjoy this glorious weather!!
Martin's Farmstand: Spring is slow!
This year is presenting challenges as we have never seen in our 20 years of growing produce here in the North Country. Last week’s return of winter temperatures and snow have slowed the asparagus growth almost to a halt. All asparagus spears that had broken through the top of the soil are no longer viable for harvest delaying the season again. There are many more pushing their way up to the sun and hopefully seasonal weather. I expect that asparagus harvest should start sometime late next week.
The rain was a welcome gift as it will continue to refill the ponds which normally would be overflowing at this point in the season. The strawberry plants and rhubarb are growing and with warmer weather will flourish.
On the stand, We have some very nice beet greens with beets, Spinach and Swiss Chard alongside garlic scallions and green onion scallions. Lettuce remains available on a limited supply. In addition, there is a plentiful stock of many kinds of potatoes. Potatoes for seed are available as well. Last falls rutabaga and beets are still available.
The ground is being worked as we move towards being able to plant seeds directly in the ground. With organic, untreated seed, we must wait for the soil temperature to warm or the seeds would rot before they can germinate. If you have noticed many trees are finally beginning to leaf out which is a sign that the soil temperatures are rising enough to support plant life.
This week we set out our first of many plantings of lettuce, herbs and onions out. There are more plantings growing which will be planted in a few weeks. This is the way we can continue to provide fresh, lush offerings throughout the season by staggering plantings of the same vegetables.
The bulk foods room is brimming full with many kinds of spices, sugars and flours available. We are preparing a list of the items we carry for customer to take home with them. It will help you prepare your shopping list at the stand.
A reminder: Stand hours have been adjusted to be* Monday to Saturday, 12:30 pm -6:00 pm. Please bring your own bags. Precautions are being taken on your behalf and ours to keep everyone as safe as possible during this pandemic. But, as always, we are striving to provide the best quality product and service that we can to everyone.Fayetteville Farmers' Market: Correction- ready for pick up
We are ready to serve customers for pick up in an effort to beat the rain!
Fayetteville Farmers' Market: Pick Up Times
We are able to take folks a little disaster today so if you are needing to pick up at a different time feel free to come on. As of now we have no lines and would love top get busy and try to beat any potential rain!
Monroe Market: MLG open for orders-pick up May 20
Good Morning!
Monroe Locally Grown is open for online orders for the May 20 pick up. Hop on and take a look at this weeks offerings. Market will close online Monday, May 18 at 8 pm.
https://monroe.locallygrown.net/Hope to see you at Wednesday’s pick up!
Statesboro Market2Go: Market2Go is Open!
THE MARKET IS OPEN!
Thanks to all the Market2Go customers and vendors and our amazing volunteers for making this expanded market such a success. We’re modifying our pickup times to allow improvements in our order fulfillment process, so please read carefully below.
We also need additional volunteers for packing and loading customer orders. If you’re willing to contribute a couple of hours of your time on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning, please email us with your contact information and availability:
[email protected]
ORDER PROCESS. The Market2Go order process remains the same but with a few important reminders. Place your orders by midnight Tuesday for pickup/delivery on Thursday or Friday. Look for a confirmation email after you complete your order.
Please choose your pickup time/location from the drop-down menu before you check out. Your selected location will be indicated on your order verification.
Options are
- Statesboro: Thursday evening at Uncle Shug’s on Main
- Statesboro: Friday morning at Uncle Shug’s on Main
- Sylvania: Thursday evening at Victory Garden General Store
- To Your Home Delivery (must add delivery to cart and prepay)
Please pay online to make our process more efficient and to better meet health guidelines. Register your debit or credit card at My Account and click “Pay Now” when you check out. Your card will only be charged after you have received your order, including any adjustments for missed items or other credits.
PICKUP PROCESS
Statesboro customers will have a choice of Thursday or Friday drive-through pickup at Uncle Shug’s on Main (434 South Main Street). Pickup hours will be reduced, but specific times will be determined to optimize traffic flow, based on customer orders and location choices. Watch for a Market UPDATE Wednesday night giving specific pickup times. Your attention to designated pickup times will help us make the process smooth and minimize waiting for everyone.
If you’re using the drive-through pickup, please display a placard with your name.
New pickup time for Sylvania customers! Sylvania orders may be picked up in front of the Victory Gardens General Store at 124 W Telephone Street on Thursday afternoon from 3:45 to 5:15.
Home Delivery option. Statesboro and Bulloch County residents can have their orders delivered to their homes on Thursday afternoon by purchasing the item “Home Delivery” and selecting To Home Delivery in the drop-down location menu at checkout.
Start shopping! We have more vendors and products on line than ever before and new vendors every week! Please take time to check out the wide selection of items in almost every grocery category.
- vegetables, fruits; and nuts
- meats and seafood;
- eggs and dairy;
- breads, cakes and pies
- milled products and grains
- mushrooms and foraged food
- honey, jams, sauces and spreads
- ready-to-eat dinners and casseroles
- flowers and plants
- soaps, lotions and candles
Fayetteville Farmers' Market: Senior Hour Pick Up
If you are a Senior over 65 and would like to pick up early tomorrow we will serve seniors only from 9:00 am to 10:00 am for pick up.
This is a test of opening earlier so we ask for Seniors Only to come early tomorrow if you’d like or come during your time slot as requested.
Everyone else we do ask that you try to come during the suggested time slot to help us manage traffic and wait times.
Thank you!
Northeast Georgia Locally Grown: Market is OPEN for orders
Good Evening Locavores, Northeast Georgia Locally Grown is open for orders!
COVID19: Northeast Georgia Locally Grown will continue to help bring the best selection of local and chemical-free foods to you and your family as long as our volunteers feel comfortable and safe. Thanks for recognizing we can all do our part in operating in the safest way possible for upcoming markets. This market system may continue to be a good alternative for our community accessing food. We are and will continue to operate under CDC and local guidelines to the best of our ability and knowledge. Be on the lookout for the order reminder email with ways you can help minimize risk for our volunteers and each other. Thanks for your support!
Donate to help offset extra operational costs during this time>>
Go to the market >>
Fresh Vegetables
Clean Meats
Baked Goods with Organic ingredients
Gluten Free goodies
Pastured Eggs
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Market stays open from Fridays 9 p.m. until at least 9 p.m. Mondays!
Thank you for choosing Northeast Georgia Locally Grown as a way to support your local producers. This online farmers market allows you to buy directly from multiple farms committed to chemical-free and local produce all year long! CHEMICAL-FREE means produce and pastures grown without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides. LOCAL means within 80 miles from the market pickup locations (usually much much closer). Do you know someone who grows chemical-free food in the area? Get them in touch with us. Know someone who wants fresh food? Spread the word. Put the two together, and that’s growing organically!
PICKUP TIME is Wednesday from 5-6:30 p.m.
If you do not get an email ORDER CONFIRMATION right after you order then your order is NOT complete. Log back in and your order might still be there waiting for you to check out! If you have any trouble or questions at all, we are here to help; simply reply to this email.
Looking to pay for your locally grown order? Pay here using Square