Thursday, March 11, 2010

Get a Breath of Fresh Air!

The weather this week has been telling us that spring is, indeed, on its way -- isn't that great? And if you have any further doubts, stop in at Local Roots this Saturday.

If the online order system is any indication, more farmers will have fresh spring greens such as spinach and salad mix available for sale. Add a little local cheese, some minced green onions, a slice of wholesome bread on the side -- welcome spring with an early salad!

And if that's not enough of an idea to get you into the kitchen, we have two tasty cooking demonstrations on Saturday:

9-11 AM: Karen Geiser (of Karen's Garden Delights) will show you how to make yogurt and soft herb cheese with Hartzler Family Dairy milk. The yogurt features Schmidt Family Farms' raspberry honey, and the cheese will include Adonai Acres' dried herbs and be served on toasted Desem bread from Valley Grass Bakery. How can you resist?

11:30 AM-1:30 PM: Dawn McLaughlin (of In the Garden) will offer samples of a savory sweet potato and sausage skillet dish using her own bulk sausage. Save room for this at lunchtime, and grab a roll from the bakery case to go with it.

You never know what we'll be cooking up this spring at Local Roots!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

More on Organic Gardening

Our gardening workshop series continues this week!

On Thursday, March 11, at 7 PM in the Local Roots Market building, local farmer Monica Bongue (of Muddy Fork Farm) will present part two of her discussion of organic gardening techniques. Participants from the first session said the ideas were very helpful in their own gardening planning this year.

If you didn't attend part one, don't worry! Come anyway and pick up plenty of tips to make your organic garden even better.

Cost for the program is $2 for Local Roots members and $4 for non-members.

Get growing with Local Roots!

Monday, February 22, 2010

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!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Organic Gardening Program

Yes, the snow has piled up over the past few days, and probably the last thing you're thinking about is starting your garden. (Unless you're like some of us, who can't wait for that next glimpse of ground...) But it's never too early to start thinking and planning for this year's crops!

This Thursday, February 11 at 7 PM, Local Roots board member Monica Bongue will lead the first of two programs on organic gardening techniques. As the owner of Muddy Fork Farm in Wooster -- a certified organic farm -- she has learned many useful tips over the years and is willing to share them with you.

(Bongue is also president of the Real F.O.O.D. chapter of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, which meets at Local Roots on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM. You are welcome to join us!)

The second part of this series will be held on Thursday, March 11 at 7 PM. Both sessions will be held at the Local Roots Market building at 140 S. Walnut Street in Wooster.

Cost for the program will be:

$2 per session for Local Roots members
$4 per session for non-members

Get growing with Local Roots!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Snow Day at the Market

If you took a look outside this morning, you probably saw an awful lot of white and not much else. Hardly the sort of day you'd want to venture out and visit the market, right?

Well, believe it or not, Local Roots was open today!


The intrepid (and local) few made it in to open up the market early and to clear a path to the door so that shoppers might know we were a safe haven at the end of the snowstorm. Things were pretty quiet during the morning -- there was still a Level 2 snow emergency for county roads -- but by afternoon a few people made it in to stock up on local food and to pick up their first online orders.


Some producers had brought in their items on Friday, so the shoppers who made it through the snow were still available to find good fresh produce, fresh bread, and the usual array of meats, dairy, and cheeses (with new cheeses available).

Thanks to those who made it in to help run the market -- and to those who came in to buy! For those who were unable to get to the market for their online orders, we'll have a special pick up time for you on Monday; stay tuned for details.

Yes, we'll work on a better snow day policy and notification system for the market since we don't want people to risk their lives to come in.

And if you can, enjoy the snow while it lasts!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Ohio Winter Farmers' Markets

Our Ohio has recently published a list of winter farmers' markets across the state, and Local Roots is on the list! Thanks for helping us spread the word!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Deborah Madison at Local Roots

Last night we welcomed a special guest to Local Roots: Deborah Madison, chef and cookbook author known for such titles as The Savory Way and Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and, of course, Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets.

Madison spoke first at The College of Wooster's Wellness Series, talking about how food and culture intertwine. Reviewing the history of "American" food from the immigrants to today's local foods movement, she explored how the process of growing your own food or buying from local producers you know and trust brings more pleasure to the act of cooking meals at home -- and of enjoying them.


After the reception on campus, Dan Dean -- coordinator for the Wellness Series -- brought Madison to Local Roots for a members-only reception at the market. Volunteers provided savory mushroom pate, crackers from local grains, spiced nuts, and decadent desserts using local ingredients.


Members of the steering committee gave Madison a tour of the market building and answered her enthusiastic questions. She repeatedly expressed her delight with what Local Roots members have organized, and she even purchased a few things from our producer members! She shared her support for our work and hoped to be able to spread the word further, promoting Local Roots as an example of what the local foods movement can do to change the food system.

We're thrilled that Deborah Madison was able to come and visit -- thanks to everyone who made the evening such a success!