Roc Day at the Market

This Saturday, January 8, from 10 AM to 4 PM, the Wayne and Holmes Counties Fiber Arts Guild will host their annual Roc Day celebration at Local Roots.

According to Susan Sivey, guild secretary, Roc Day has a long and rich history:

Many fiber guilds celebrate “Roc Day” on the first Saturday after New Year’s. In earlier times, the holiday was called St. Distaff’s Day and was celebrated on January 7, the day after the Feast of Epiphany, which ends the twelve days of Christmas. St. Distaff is a made-up saint. A distaff is the device used by spinners to hold the flax that was spun into linen.

Roc or Rock from Roc Day comes from the word “rocken” which meant distaff. Spinners or “spinsters” took the twelve days of Christmas off from their spinning duties and had a party the day before returning to work.

The Fiber Arts Guild has lined up a handful of exciting classes for this year's Roc Day:

--needle-felted slippers
--beginning knitting
--basic drop spindling
--felted soaps

In addition, local fiber producer Morning Star Farm will offer a yarn "tasting" at 3:30. Fiber enthusiasts will have the chance to examine and test new yarns from Morning Star.

For more information on Roc Day, check out the January Local Roots newsletter.

Artisan Days Are Here!

Come to Local Roots for our monthly Artisan Days!

Enjoy local crafters and artisans with hand-crafted treasures including jewelery, fiber arts, pottery, artwork, and unique gifts.

Fourth Saturday of the month, 9 AM to 3 PM

• July 24th
• August 28th
• September 25th
• October 23rd
• November 27th

Cultivate Community -- Shop Local First!

Also at the market this Saturday, July 24:

The Wayne Center for the Arts will help us celebrate Artisan Day by inviting kids of all ages to make "Summer Butterflies" using recycled cardboard tubes and colorful paper. This is a free activity!

Sofie Dittmann of the Bake Haus demonstrates some delicious, seasonal sandwich ideas made with her sliced bread, and Mary Crabtree of Penny Lane Products samples a yummy cucumber risotto! Stop by for a snack and to pick up some recipes and ideas you can try at home!

From 12:30 to 2:00 PM we will be "Talking Garlic" with Mary Gnizak (Adonai Acres) and Carmella Massaro (Twin Parks Organic Farm), who will give their tips on growing, cleaning, and preserving garlic. Cost is $5 for Local Roots members and $7 for non-members. Call or email to register!

At the Market July 15-17

Stop by Local Roots this weekend to see what summer has to offer!

Our coolers and displays are overflowing with lots of veggies, berries, and peaches picked fresh from local farms. Colorful and delicious, you'll enjoy indulging your taste buds with all this fresh food!

This Saturday, July 17th, from 9 AM to noon, Marlene Boyer cooks up whole wheat pancakes in our demo kitchen. Free samples to try with various local syrups!

Next Saturday, July 24th, from 9 AM to 3 PM, is the first of our monthly Artisan Days! Our talented crafters & artisans will be on hand with their beautiful hand crafted items. Shop for a unique gift or treat yourself!

Sign up now for our session on GARLIC -- Saturday, July 24 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. Producer members Mary Gnizak (Adonai Acres) and Carmella Massaro (Twin Parks Organic Farm) will give their tips for growing great garlic. Carmella will discuss growing, cleaning, and grading garlic, and Mary will show how to braid softneck garlic, a traditional way to dry the garlic harvest (and a delicious way to decorate!). Cost is $5 for Local Roots members and $7 for non-members. Register by calling 330-263-5336 or talk to Jessica (manager) at the market.

Come and enjoy the taste of a local summer!

Celebrate Food Independence

This weekend, we celebrate the birthday of our nation with the usual parades and picnics and fireworks. At Local Roots, we're also celebrating our first year as an official cooperative! Our latest column in the Wooster Weekly News offers some thoughts on the subject.

We can't help you with local fireworks at Local Roots, but we sure can outfit your picnic basket! Stop by for some of the best summertime eating around!

Saturday, stop by the market between 9 AM and noon to see Terri Miller make and bake focaccia and whip up a variety of fresh herb pestos (one great way to preserve your summer herbs!). In addition, John Sterling of Johann's Bakery will offer samples of a variety of his freshly baked breads.

Take a look in the freezer for more picnic or family gathering ideas: Fox Hollow Farm has lamb breakfast patties and links as well as lamb chorizo.

Master Gardener Susan Sivey of Noah's Landing (7575 Brown Rd., Shreve) invites you to tour her gardens this Sunday, July 4, from 2 to 6 PM. Susan has daylilies for sale- most for $5 or less.

Don't forget, Wednesday, July 7th at 7 PM, the Local Roots Board will have their monthly meeting. Members are invited to attend in order to learn more about board business. We will elect new board members in September, so don't miss your chance to learn more about the operations at Local Roots.

Our first Artisan Day is coming up on Saturday, July 24th. Contact Jessica Eikleberry, market manager, to reserve your space today!

Greens for Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and what better way is there to show your love for our world than by supporting local, sustainable agriculture? Not only do you save on the energy used to transport and sometimes even produce the food, but you keep money circulating in the local economy -- and you enjoy really good food.

And if you really want to "go green" for Earth Day, may we recommend stocking up on fresh leafy greens and green herbs at Local Roots? Our producers are bringing in lettuce, spinach, kale, mixed leafy greens -- even wild greens such as dandelion and stinging nettle -- to give you that fresh taste of spring.

What's Cooking?

On Saturday, we'll have two tasty treats in the demonstration kitchen:

9-11 AM: Mary Crabtree and Sofie Dittmann will make delicious breakfast panini, using whole wheat bread from The Bake Haus and selected fresh produce and local cheeses.

1-3 PM: Jennifer McMullen will cook up a few tasty dishes that will make you want to eat your "weedies"! Spring is the perfect time to taste wild edible plants such as dandelion, stinging nettle, chickweed, lambsquarters, and violets. Try them -- you just might like them!

More Fun With Felt

For this week's felting session, Tara Herberger will show you how to create designs based on what you're growing in the garden. Sessions are 5-7 PM on Friday and 11-1 on Saturday; cost is $5.

Grand Opening May 15th

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, May 15!

What's Happening This Week (April 16-17)

Warmer days and plenty of sunshine have brought more trees and flowers into bloom around town, and we're excited about all the beautiful possibilities that springtime brings! And a lot of those possibilities are happening at Local Roots...

Local Agriculture and Society

This Thursday, April 15, Local Roots will host a discussion on local agriculture and society from 6:00-7:15 PM with Darwin Kelsey (Cuyahoga Countryside Conservancy) and Brian Gwin (Wayne Economic Development Council), moderated by Brad Masi. At 7:30, we will break into smaller groups to brianstorm ideas for the Mellinger Farm development. We would love to get wider community involvement in these discussions, as the Mellinger Farm can emerge in the years ahead as a great resource for local farming and education. Feel free to invite anyone in your network to the event -- there is no charge!

And don't forget, April 19 through 25 is Sustainable Agriculture Week. It's a great time to start a garden at home, visit a local farm, or -- dare we say it? -- buy plenty of good local food at Local Roots.

Felt Class

This week the felt session with Tara Herberger of the Fiber Arts Guild will celebrate Earth Day (April 22) by creating a cool "Table Top Mug Rug" and sharing ideas for your personal appreciation towards the 4 Elements of Earth - wind/water/fire/light. Friday 5-7 pm, Saturday 11-1. Class is $5.

A Toast to the Demo Kitchen!
From 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, Betsy Anderson (of Summer Hill Farm) will demonstrate making French toast, using a selection of breads from Local Roots producers. It's so easy to do, you'll want to buy a loaf (or two!) and make French toast a regular feature of your week!

Relax!

On Saturday the 17th from 9 AM to 1 PM, Rosanna Ralston, licensed massage therapist from Spa Collections, will offer chair massages at the market to raise money for Down To Earth Community Gardens (DECG). DECG is nonprofit organization that not only offers land to gardeners but is also starting the first Green Food Pantry in Orrville through the Salvation Army. DECG is currently working on expanding their gardens to more locations in Orrville and the surrounding area. Come help support another grassroots effort -- and feel totally relaxed afterward!

Local Roots Are Spreading

Now that the season of festivals has begun, Local Roots will start getting out into the community to share our vision for local foods and sustainable agriculture. Find us this Saturday, April 17, in Orrville at the YMCA Healthy Kids Day from 10 AM to 1 PM and Tuesday, April 20, at the 3rd Annual Scarlet, Gray, and Green Fair at the OSU Wooster Campus from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Know about other events where you think Local Roots should participate? Contact Jessica Eikleberry, Market Manager, at jessica [AT] localrootswooster [DOT] com with details.

Grand Opening May 15th!

That's right, we've finally set the date for our Grand Opening: Saturday, May 15. We'll have plenty of exciting activities that day, and we would like to invite our arts and crafts members back to the market to share their products! Please contact Jessica by May 1st for details or to reserve your spot. Keep your eye on this blog for details about Grand Opening events as they evolve. And be sure to bring a friend or two that day to help us spread the word about Local Roots!

Got News?
Just a reminder: the deadline for news, articles, or ideas for the May Local Roots newsletter is upon us. Got something you'd like to share? Drop a line to news [AT] localrootswooster [DOT] com and we'll help you get your news to a larger audience.

Global Meets Local

We know you love the taste of local food, but don't let eating locally make you forget about all the wonderful flavors of other cuisines! Yes, you can have the world on a local plate this Saturday at Local Roots!

From 9 to 11 AM, Martha Gaffney of Martha's Farm will share the delicious flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine, featuring local foods. If you've never ventured into this ethnic cuisine, you're in for a treat! (And it will wake up your taste buds and get you ready for next week's Ethnic Fair at the county fairgrounds.)

From 11 AM to 1 PM, Susan English will share her accordion music with market-goers. With a hint of Old World harmonies or the lively toe-tapping tunes of the British Isles, Susan will lift your spirits and make you want to dance!

Tara Herberger, recently returned from Germany, has brought back plenty of colorful felt and fun ideas to share, so come for her Fun Felting class this week. Sessions will be held Friday from 5 to 7 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 1 PM. This week, needle felt your own artistic spring flowers -- make 3 for only $5!

Spring Surprises!

This week, we have so much going on at Local Roots, you won't want to miss out!

In the Kitchen

--From 9 AM to 11 AM, Marion Yoder (The Shepherd's Market) will make and share homegrown popcorn. Popcorn for breakfast? Why not? Save some for your Easter basket, too!
--From 11 AM to 1 PM, Marion will serve up some freshly baked whole wheat bread, too.
--From 1:30 to 3 PM, Dawn McLaughlin (In the Garden) will make sausage burgers -- a treat worth saving room for!

In addition, Deanna Ferry (Garden.Vineyard.Grove) will be on hand to offer samples of her delectable gourmet jellies and mustards, a perfect accompaniment to the various cooking demonstrations. And if you missed the fun of local ice cream last week, the Schlonegers will be back -- along with the warm weather! -- to provide more of their sweet and creamy ice cream delights.

For the Young... and the Young at Heart

Children of all ages (yes, even you "senior" children are welcome, too!) are invited to join Karen Geiser as she demonstrates making paper. Why make your own paper? It's a great way to recycle scraps and to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Come join us and find out more.

And if you're up for more craft fun, join Tara Herberger for the first of her spring sessions in Fun Felting. Learn how to felt your very own colorful Easter eggs from a broad assortment of brilliantly colored fibers. Sessions will occur Friday from 5 to 7 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 1 PM; cost is $5 per person for 3 eggs. Young children are very welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Happy Holidays!

To all our members and friends at Local Roots, we wish you the very best during this Passover and Easter season!

Home Gardening and Preserving 101

Yes, even though the snow is scheduled to return this week, we've still got dreams of garden greens in our minds! And you're thinking what we're thinking -- that the perfect antidote to the winter blues would be planning your garden -- you're not too late!

This Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 PM in the Local Roots Market building, Melinda Hill from OSU Extension will begin the Home Gardening and Preserving 101 series. (Co-leader of the series, Ron Becker, may not be able to make this workshop.) This first of three sessions covers what you need to know in planning your garden this year.

The following two sessions in the series will be:

--Thursday, May 6, 6:30 PM, Planting the garden
--Thursday, July 15, 6:30 PM, Preserving the harvest

This series earned an enthusiastic response when it was held at the Wayne County Public Library last year, so don't miss it at Local Roots! You still have time to register by emailing events (AT) localrootswooster (DOT) com.

Cost for this session is $5 for Local Roots members and $10 for non-members. Cost for the three-part series is $10 for Local Roots members and $20 for non-members.

This year, get growing with Local Roots!

"Fresh Food, Fresh Ideas"

Do you really know what you're eating? The Wooster Local Foods Cooperative, Inc., doing business as Local Roots Market and Cafe, will host a film series in November that will provide some food for thought.

On Saturday, November 7, at 6 PM, Local Roots will sponsor a showing of "Food, Inc." at The Big Picture, 116 E. South Street, Wooster. This film examines the nationwide food system, shining a light on some of the problems of the system and offering ideas for improvements. A reception and discussion of the film will follow at 8 PM in the Local Roots Market building at 140 S. Walnut Street.

For those who are unable to attend the November 7 screening, The Big Picture will be showing the film as a regular feature from Friday, November 6 through Thursday, November 12.


On Saturday, November 21, at 7 PM, Local Roots will screen "PolyCultures" at the Local Roots Market building. This locally-produced documentary offers a contrasting view of agriculture today by featuring various businesses and organizations around northeast Ohio that have chosen to reassert some local control over our food systems and to offer healthier, more sustainable choices. Director Tom Kondilas and producer Brad Masi will share additional thoughts after the film and take questions from the audience.

Tickets for both films will be $4, but Local Roots members will be able to attend the screening for "PolyCultures" for free with a valid membership card. Tickets for both films will be sold in advance at The Big Picture (for "Food, Inc." only) and at the Saturday markets (10 AM to 3 PM) at Local Roots.