THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN!

Signed up for the BenderDinker yet??
April 26!
www.benderdinker.com.

See y’all all the markets on Tuesday and Thursday!
-Kim

THE AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN!

BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE THE EVANS TOWNE FARMERS MARKET OPENING DAY SUCH A PLEASANT EVENT.
We hope you all will continue to support this market as the season unfolds.

THE VEGGIE TRUCK FARMERS MARKET OPENS NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 25:
Join us for a second full season of the Veggie Truck Farmers Market, starting on Tuesday, March 25. The market is located in the Harrisburg community at the corner of Broad and Eve streets, across from the Kroc Center, 4:30p-7p. With a matching grant from Wholesome Wave Georgia, we are able to double the value of EBT/SNAP/food stamp benefits at this market.

This will also be the official grand opening celebration for the West End Market and Bakery, in the same location. Scheduled activities include:

• Cooking Demo with volunteers from the GRU School of Medicine
• The Kids Market Passport Program will feature activities based on “Kale”
• Help decorate the Veggie Truck!
• Frisbee and maybe some Ladder Ball
• Music, face painting, fire twirlers … and more!

We could sure use a musician to provide some live music that day! Know anyone?

THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

THE EVANS TOWNE FARMERS MARKET OPENS THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 20!
Join us for a second full season of the Evans Towne Farmers Market, starting on Thursday, March 20. The market is located on the beautiful grounds behind the library, 4:30pm-7pm. Scheduled activities include:
• Cooking Demo with Chef Dave McCluskey of Local Pop!
• The Kids Market Passport Program will feature activities based on “Kale”
• The Grow Your Own Tent will feature Mike Scarce of Urban Agriculture R&D
• Music by “Happy Bones” and “Ashley Riley” as a benefit concert for “Awake Augusta”

THE VEGGIE TRUCK FARMESR MARKET OPENS NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 25:
Join us for a second full season of the Veggie Truck Farmers Market, starting on Tuesday, March 25. The market is located in the Harrisburg community at the corner of Broad and Eve streets, across from the Kroc Center, 4:30p-7p. With a matching grant from Wholesome Wave Georgia, we are able to double the value of EBT/SNAP/food stamp benefits at this market. This will also be the official grand opening celebration for the West End Market and Bakery, in the same location. Scheduled activities include:
• Cooking Demo with volunteers from the GRU School of Medicine
• The Kids Market Passport Program will feature activities based on “Kale”
• Music, face painting, fire twirlers … and more!

CULINARY CLASS THIS WEEKEND: CROCK POTS AND CLAY COOKERS WITH CHEF CHARLEEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 15:
Create delectable one-dish meals with local, seasonal foods that cook while you work or play. Chef Charleen’s culinary classes are back … and now held at the West End Market & Bakery. This event is scheduled for 11am this weekend. Tickets are available through ALG on-line market or at chefcharleen.com.

INCREASE IN CREDIT CARD BANKING FEE:
It pains me to do this, but we will have to increase the percentage fee that we charge our on-line market customers who pay with credit cards to 3% starting today. This will cover the processing fee that the bank charges us; none of it goes to ALG.

BIG HUGS TO OUR BOARD AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
ALG held an energy-packed board meeting earlier this week, along with representatives from many community partner organizations. What a wonderful turn-out of local food activists! So grateful to all of them for their creative, passionate efforts.

RIVERWOOD PICK-UP LOCATION NEEDS A BOOST!
On-line market sales at our Riverwood pick-up location have been low, and currently not covering the cost of running it. We love the idea of a neighborhood-based pick-up location, and think it’s a value model for the future. But we need your help to keep it going. If you value the Riverwood location, please promote it among your neighbors and colleagues and even in your neighborhood association materials. At market manager Meghann’s smart request, we will have more promotional cards for you at that location starting next week.

SEE YOU ALL AT THE MARKETS ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY!

CHEERS!
Kim

THE AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN

Busy,busy, busy … getting ready for big things this month!!!

See you all at the markets!!
Cheers!
Kim

THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

Today I’d like to celebrate the Dinker. Yep. That’s right. the BenderDinker.

If you don’t already know, the BenderDinker is one of the most unique local foods events ever. (And believe me, I can say that because I’ve been to a bunch!) Now in its third year, it is the only real fundraiser we do. Augusta Locally Grown is one of three nonprofit beneficiaries: the Riverkeepers and Camp Sweet Life are the others.

Yes, there’s the leisurely three hour paddle around Germain Island, along Betty’s Branch and the beautiful Savannah River. And yes, there are the fantastic acoustic musicians playing for you as you float. And yes, there’s kids activities and maybe a little river-run poker going on. Always there’s a good deal of gettin’ wet.

But for me, and for Augusta Locally Grown, it’s about the local event food grown by local farmers.

This year, the BenderDinker committee (led by the fearless Kristina Williams) is stepping it all up big time. Lunch will be provided ON THE WATER from “food boats.” (Think food trucks, but way better.) Chef Dave McCluskey of “Local Pop” has graciously volunteered to oversee the making of this meal for hundreds of paddlers. Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills of Augusta is providing some amazing cooking equipment to use on-board. Pontoons are loaned to us from our fantastic sponsors at Haynes Marine.

We’ll talk about all the details of the food more later. But for now, just sign up! Visit benderdinker.com.

“Paddle Out and Eat!”

Cheers!
Kim

THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

CALL FOR GROWERS!
Sign up as a farmer/grower for our Evans Towne Farmers Market today and take advantage of the early-bird rates! Backyard growers committed to sustainable practices are welcome! Visit www.evanstownefarmersmarket.com for info.

GEORGIA ORGANICS CONFERENCE:
We’ve got a great contingency of folks representing Augusta at the Georgia Organics Conference this weekend. In fact, I’m typing this to you from a farm tour just now! We promise to do a ton of networking on behalf of our local foods community in the CSRA!

SEASONAL FOODS COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF CHARLEEN!
She’s back and ready to take on the world of good local gourmet food once again. Sign up for her Seasonal Foods Cooking Class, scheduled for next Thursday and learn some great new ways to make those yummy winter greens even yummier!

CHEERS!
Kim

THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

Our love and prayers go out to the entire ice-covered CSRA today, especially to our farmers who continue to endure indescribable hardship and challenges. I am opening the market today knowing that it is impossible for the farmers to predict (let alone communicate) today what will be available on Tuesday; let’s let hope lead the way instead. Please order what you can, support their evey effort, and stay safe and warm.

The Crop Mob had been reschedule to Sunday. Contact Aarish for info and to register at +1 (813) 352-1391.

I am still without electricity and expect to be for a while as my community was hit hard. I apologize if I’m hard to reach.

Much, much love,
Kim

THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

As I type this message into my little phone, I am also listening. Listening hard and tearing up, in fact, because the keynote speaker at this conference where I find myself today is singing our song! She’s Dr Daphne Miller, author of “Farmacology: What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us About Health and Healing.” Her powerful, science-based message — the ancient message that good food is medicine — is THE theme that will ultimately link Augusta’s strong medical community to our fledgling local foods movement. If you haven’t read it yet, please please do. THIS can be Augusta’s future if enough of us stand up and make the connection.

- Cheers! Kim

SAVE THE DATES!!

THUR, FEB 13 …
CROP MOB at Honey Creek
Mushroom Farm in Martinez. Work starts at 3:30pm; share a simple farm dinner afterwards. Email our intern coordinator Aarish to sign up: Aarish.rojiani@gmail.com.

THUR, MARCH 20 …
EVANS TOWNE FARMERS MARKET opening day! Now accepting farmer/grower applications at evanstownefarmersmarket.com.

TUES, MARCH 25…
VEGGIE TRUCK FARMERS MARKET opening day, in Harrisburg. Now accepting farmer/grower applications. Call Kim at 706-288-7895.

SAT, APR 26…
BENDERDINKER – yep, it’s our 3rd annual kayaking, local foods and music festival on the river. Chef Dave McClusky and Fireside Grills have signed on to help us create a pop-up “Floating Food Boat” from which we will serve a locally-grown lunch to all paddlers!! Come help us put our own local foods movement on the map with this truly one-of-a-kind, naturally-fun, very family-friendly benefit event. Registration is now open at benderdinker.com.

SPONSORS NEEDED:
Join us and become a sponsor of our educational programs at these events. For a sponsorship package, contact kim@augustalocallygrown.org. We need your help to take the next steps in this movement.

WELL WISHES:
Many of you know – and love – farmer Laurie Ritchie of JandL Farm. She is taking the month off from baking to recover from knee surgery… with every intention of popping back up in time for market season. Wishing you all the best, Laurie!!

See you all at the market on Tuesday!! *

THE ON-LINE MARKET IS OPEN AT AUGUSTA LOCALLY GROWN

DOWNTOWN PICK-UP LOCATION … CHANGE FOR THE ON-LINE MARKET!

Starting with this weeks market, our downtown pick-up location for the on-line market will be at the West End Market in Harrisburg, across from the Kroc Center. Parking is along Crawford Avenue and behind the store. Very excited for this beautiful new venue for local foods!

THE ON-LINE MARKET WILL BE RUNNING TOMORROW FOR PICK-UP

Farmers work in all kinds of weather … and so does Augusta Locally Grown!

As such, we WILL be running our market pick-up locations as usual tomorrow evening, despite the coming snow.

If you can get to us safely to pick up your order tomorrow evening, please do.

However, if you cannot get there safely — or if you are uncomfortable traveling in such weather — please call or text or email today or tomorrow to make arrangements to pick up your food later in the week. We will hold it safely for you until Friday.

Here’s the contact information:
AJCC PICK-UP
Leslie – 706-627-5627 or leslie@lunabugsoap.com
Kim – 706-288-7895 or kim@augustalocallygrown.org

DOWNTOWN PICK-UP
Sandi – 706-691-8267 or sandi@hexemausfarms.com
Kim – 706-288-7895 or kim@augustalocallygrown.org

RIVERWOOD PICK-UP
Meghann – 832-692-1959
Kim – 706-288-7895 or kim@augustalocallygrown.org

Stay warm … it’s a good week for making a big pot of dark leafy green soup!
Kim