We love the Banana Slug String Band!

We recently discovered the Banana Slug String Band and fell in love with their music and their mission. They are a group of musicians, songwriters and educators who use music to teach science. They also take their music on the road to school assemblies, festivals and teacher workshops. Even if you don't have children, we highly recommend you take a listen to their catchy and educational tunes. With song titles such as "Dirt Made my Lunch", "Water Cycle Boogie" and "Give Plants a Chance", learning science was never so much fun!

All songs are written, performed and copyrighted by the Banana Slug String Band. Here's an excerpt from "Dirt Made my Lunch":

Dirt made my lunch,

Dirt made my lunch,

Thank you Dirt, Thanks a bunch,

For my salad, my sandwich

My milk and my munch 'cause

Dirt, you made my lunch

(copyrighted by the Banana Slug String Band).

Check out their website at www.bananaslugstringband.com. You'll find their itinerary, a page for educators and an on-line store to listen to and order their music.

Safe Food Sampling at Farmers Markets

Serving samples is a great marketing tool to draw in hungry customers and introduce them to your product. Customers at farmers markets and food expos are more likely to buy when they can sample first. As a vendor, it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re presenting a safe and sanitary sampling environment.

In May 2009 the Michigan Department of Agriculture released a new document, Guidelines for Providing Safe Food Samples at Farmers Markets. Hygiene, temperature control, and food protection are just some of the important topics addressed in this document.

Interested in learning more about safe food sample practices? Your customers will notice your hygienic habits and appreciate your attention to detail. At the Great Lakes Expo, a panel of speakers will discuss sampling fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and processed foods at farmers markets. Thursday, December 10th 10:30 AM-noon

Eat Local Food is proud to announce that the "new" web store is now available at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com. Please check it out. If you have any issues, please contact us at info@eatlocalfood.com.

USA Made tote bags for the Holiday Season

Top 10 reasons to add an ELF bag to your holiday shopping list:

• Beautiful original fine art designs

• Great for gift wrap, gifts and storage 

• An environmentally friendly holiday gift!

• Easy-to-purchase - avoid the malls!

• Small minimums for wholesale pricing

• Washable, durable and made in the USA!

• Eliminates plastic shopping bag use

• Free Shipping on In-stock totes!

• Promote your business by customizing the design*

• Your customers pay for your advertising*

*Customization available on orders of 100 or more bags

Call us at 734.341.7028 for details or shop on-line at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com/new

Also available at Amazon.com.

Read an Amazon.com customer review:

I purchased tote bags as Christmas gifts this past year and was very pleased with them. The designs are beautiful. They are made in the United States with sturdy stitching and hefty canvas fabric. I like that the handles are long enough to put over my shoulder if I want to. Now my friends and family members are the most stylin' shoppers at the farmer's market.  H. T., Ann Arbor, MI

Eat Local Food Store is on line

Hi,

The Eat Local Food Store was off-line over the weekend. We apologize if this proved to be an inconvenience for anyone. Joan and I decided to take a long weekend away from the computers and it just came to my attention. Anyway, its back-up. BTW, the new site located at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com/new was operational the whole time and if you decide to order from us, I highly recommend you use that site. You will get up to $5.00 off your order by using www.eatlocalfoodstore.com/new

Thanks & Regards,
Bob