Eat Local Food

Don't Put Your Customers in One Basket

2012-02-16T15:40:00.005-05:00

Take a good look at who your customers are and what they are buying to identify new customers.

What are the demographics and buying behavior of your current customer base?

Consider the following characteristics: Gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, employment, education and location. As you look at the demographics of your customer base, keep notes and ask yourself questions. A good brainstorming session between you and your key associates will generate ideas and identify opportunities to attract new customers.

Here are some examples:

Do you sell to more women then men? If so, is it because your product appeals more to women or is it because your female customers are buying for their families? The answer could help you tailor your marketing message to purchasing habits.
Do you sell to more seniors than twenty-year olds? If so, are those sales location related? Seniors often frequent a location that is convenient to them. Characteristics such as easy or free parking, access to a bus-stop, or a ride from a community center can be appealing to older customers. Including easy-access information in your literature may bring in more customers.
Do you sell to a particular ethnic group? If so, do they request certain ethnic fruits, vegetables or other foods? Does your marketing information state that you sell these items? Ask local ethnic grocers and community centers to display your product information.
Are you in a location where people of a particular religion reside? If so, do your selling practices accommodate their purchasing habits? (i.e., perhaps they do not purchase goods on a Saturday). These customers may find on-line sales or home delivery services appealing.
Do you sell in more than one location? Does one location bring greater sales than the other? If so, is it possible to expand your sales in that area? Speaking at the public library, joining the local business association or participating in a community fundraiser are ways to expose your business to customers in a particular location.
Do you sell to schools, churches or community groups? If so, it is possible to broaden your customer base to other like-minded institutions? Perhaps you could offer collective-buying discounts to these groups.

When engaging in a brainstorming session, remember that quantity of ideas is key and that NO idea is a bad idea. Participant ideas should not be criticized. You may also find that one or more ideas can be combined and become a better idea. Whatever approach you take, keep your customer appeal in mind. Good luck bringing new customers to your business in 2012!

All you need is love.....and a sturdy tote bag

2012-01-31T11:30:00.006-05:00

Because who doesn't love a sturdy, reliable cotton tote bag?

Especially if it has one of our beautiful Eat Local Food designs.

Made in the USA, lead-free, and washable.

From now until February 14, purchase an Eat Local Food in-stock tote bag at 25% off the normal price. Only $12.00 including shipping.

Happy Valentine's Day from Eat Local Food!

What's a Farminar??

2012-01-31T09:49:00.019-05:00

A Farminar is an interactive online seminar on a farming topic.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is offering a winter season of farminars. Sessions cover varied subjects such as pest management in organic vegetable production, profitable recording keeping, and improving sales at farmers markets.

The farminars are free! Of course, you will need a computer and access to the internet to take advantage of this educational opportunity.

You can register for a farminar at Practical Farmers of Iowa.

There's also a "farminar archives" for past topics you may have missed or want to review.

Next Tuesday night, February 7th, Dru Montri of the Michigan Farmers Market Association will be presenting at the Practical Farmers of Iowa Farminar with John Wesselius from The Cornucopia. The focus is on improving your farmers market sales.

Here's a description of the session from the Practical Farmers of Iowa:

Coming home from market with only $50 and a vehicle full of product can be discouraging. Participants will learn how to calculate the costs of attending farmer's markets, how to set a farmer's market income goal and strategies to reach that goal and achieve a profit that's worthy of the effort.

John Wesselius and his family operate The Cornucopia near Sioux Center. Their annual sales revenues exceed $100,000 and are generated on a six-acre property. Two of those acres are covered in gardens, one and a half acres in grass for pastured poultry and the balance in trees and buildings. They sell their products at the Sioux Center Farmer's Market, Sioux City Farmer's Market and the Falls Park Farmer's Market in Sioux Falls, SD. John is passionate about growing for market!

Dru Montri is the director of Michigan Farmer's Market Association (MIFMA). She has a background in horticulture receiving her B.S. from Michigan State University (MSU) and her M.S. from Penn State. In addition to her work with MIFMA, she is pursuing a dual doctoral degree at MSU in Horticulture and Community and in Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. She and her husband own and operate Ten Hens Farm in Bath, Michigan.

Choices 2012: Save the Date!

2011-12-30T00:34:00.005-05:00

Save the Date for Choices 2012: The Conference that celebrates food, health & collaboration!

This year's conference will be held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids Michigan on March 13 & 14. Please note the location change as the conference was previously held in East Lansing Michigan.

For more information please contact Diane Drago at ddrago@dmsevents.com or at 517-663-5147. For more information, visit www.michigannutritionnetwork.org

Choices is sponsored by the Michigan Nutrition Network at the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

2011 Michigan Junior Chef Cookbook Available!

2011-10-12T01:10:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to the 2011 Michigan Junior Chef competition winners!

First Place: Eight is Enough from St. Brigid Catholic School

Second Place: Brown City Good for you Girls from Brown City Schools

Third Place: Small Town Chefs from Hopkins Public Schools

The 2011 Michigan Junior Chef competition was sponsored by Michigan Team Nutrition, Michigan Department of Education, The C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Michigan State University.

To download the 2011 Michigan Junior Chef Cookbook featuring photos, information and recipes submitted by all the participating school teams, please visit the Michigan Junior Chef website. A special edition for School Food Service Directors is also available.

Stop Junk Food Marketing to our Children!

2011-10-12T00:38:00.008-04:00

The Oakland California based Prevention Institute just released a 2 minute video called "We're Not Buying It!" aimed at stopping current junk food marketing to our children. In 2 minutes they sum up the current abhorrent marketing practices aimed at selling our kids sugar and fat-filled foods.

If you have two minutes it's worth a watch: "We're Not Buying It!"

There's also a petition you can sign asking President Obama to support our children.

At Eat Local Food, we've long been opposed to marketing to children unless it's an educational endeavor aimed at teaching kids about fruits, vegetables and healthy eating. Big business has spent billions of dollars creating cartoon characters, licensing children's book characters and infiltrating schools and libraries with "charitable" programs that are intended to establish customer loyalty at an early age. We don't get up on our soapbox too often, but this is one practice that has to stop. Our kids' health is paying the price.

Low Interest Loan Opportunity for Michigan Farmers

2011-10-12T00:04:00.008-04:00

Are you a farmer or non-profit organization interested in expanding your current operation? Through a partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Michigan State University, low interest loans are now available to Michigan farmers and non-profit (501(c)) organizations.

Funds are targeted for passive solar systems (PSS) (e.g. high tunnel/hoophouse structures). PSS can be used to grow produce year-round in Michigan without additional heat or light and provide a revenue source for farmers during the winter months. Technical assistance is being provided by the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm.

Loan terms are set at 4% fixed interest for six years with interest-only payments for the first six months. There is no penalty for early repayment. Loan amounts for PSS for this program can range from $5,000 to $15,000. Loan funds are eligible to cover materials, supplies and equipment costs for PSS.

Applications are being reviewed on an ongoing basis and are available for download at: www.michiganadvantage.org/PSS. For more information please contact Terri Novak: novakt@michigan.gov or 517.930.3170.

New Michigan Hoop House Loan Program

2011-07-27T16:54:00.010-04:00

Here's a fantastic opportunity for 2011 grower-vendors at the the Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market, the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market, the Lapeer Farmers’ Market, and the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market. The goal of this program is to help farmers extend their Michigan growing season and build up farmers markets that participate in food assistance programs. Supporting local agriculture while getting good food out to people who need it. What a great plan!

Farmers Can Pay Back New Hoop House Loan by Distributing Food

July 27, 2011, EAST LANSING, MICH – Is it really possible to have fresh salad greens all year round? Can you really get Michigan grown tomatoes in June or July? The answer is yes! Many Michigan farmers are meeting the growing demand for locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables by using season extension techniques such as hoop houses to help them lengthen their growing season.

A hoop house is a passive solar greenhouse that extends the production season for warm- and cool-season crops and permits winter harvesting of cold-tolerant vegetables. Hoop houses can also help a farmer increase their revenue. A recent study by Michigan State University found that, on average, an inexperienced hoop house grower selling at a farmers market can earn $1.60 per square foot per year.

The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), in partnership with the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University (MSU) and the MSU Student Organic Farm, is facilitating a program designed to help more farmers extend their growing season and strengthen the farmers markets where they sell their produce. The program is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and will make hoop house loans available to farmers selling at farmers markets that participate in food assistance programs. The program plans to distribute $500,000 over a three year period to farmers seeking to install hoop houses, including approximately $175,000 in 2011.

Through this loan program, farmers will “pay off” their zero-interest loan by distributing fresh produce equal to the value of their loan principal to individuals using food assistance benefits at farmers markets. For example, if a loan amount of $5,000 is requested, a seasonal vendor who participates in a market for six months each year will need to distribute food valued at $41.67 each week to food assistance clients in order to pay back the loan principal within the five year loan period.

Farmers must meet certain requirements to qualify and must be a seasonal vendor at one of the four farmers markets participating in 2011: the Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market, the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market, the Lapeer Farmers’ Market, and the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market.

In order to be considered for this loan program, farmers must complete an application and submit it with supporting documents by Friday, August 19, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Applications will be reviewed and announcements will be made by September 15, 2011.

For more information contact Amanda Segar at 517-432-3381 or segarama@msu.edu.

Up for a Challenge? Enter the Michigan Junior Chef Competition!

2011-02-28T23:53:00.010-05:00

The Michigan Junior Chef Competition is open to all 7th-12th grade students enrolled in Michigan schools. According to the rules, teams must consist of 3-4 students and at least one adult coach.

The competition has two parts. The first is a recipe contest with an entry deadline of March 14, 2011. Student teams are to submit their recipes for a healthy school lunch meal that features local, seasonal foods. Recipes will be judged on (1) nutritional quality, (2) use of local ingredients and (3) whether it can be replicated in a school food service setting given the time and labor required to create the meal.

The second part of the competition is the Michigan Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition where 8 teams that are finalists from the recipe contest will prepare their recipe on-site at Michigan State University on May 11, 2011. Meals will be judged by an expert panel on (1) nutritional quality, (2) use of local ingredients, (3) whether it can be replicated in a school food service setting given the time and labor required to create the meal, (4) taste, (5) presentation, and (6) creativity.

Michigan Junior Chef is sponsored by the USDA, Michigan Team Nutrition, Michigan Department of Education, the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.

Visit the Michigan Junior Chef website for official rules and more information.

The Michigan Junior Chef Website and logo were designed by Eat Local Food LLC.

Lead in Reusable Bags?

2011-01-28T00:25:00.012-05:00

A news story was published this week regarding tests finding high levels of lead in reusable bags. According to the story, "the non-woven-polypropylene bags, sold by chains including Safeway, Walgreen's and Bloom, all had lead content above 100 parts per million — the highest level that many states allow in consumer packaging. The tests were conducted by Frontier Global Sciences for the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), which plans to release the results Monday."

Here's a link to the article in USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2011-01-23-reusable-bags_N.htm

While we've never been a fan of the non-woven-polypropylene bag, it's been for the following reasons:

1) They are usually not made in the USA

2) Lots of fuel is used transporting them to the USA

3) They are recyclable but not biodegradable

4) The material typically lacks strength and the bags do not withstand heavy loads

And now there is a claim that these bags have a high lead content. We've also heard that the Center for Consumer Freedom - the organization that paid for the funding - is not an environmental or consumer protection group. The Center for Consumer Freedom website describes the group as "a nonprofit coalition of restaurants, food companies, and consumers working together to promote personal responsibility and protecting consumer choices". But there's more! CCF's website goes on to say: "A growing cabal of activists has meddled in Americans’ lives in recent years. They include self-anointed "food police," health campaigners, trial lawyers, personal-finance do-gooders, animal-rights misanthropes, and meddling bureaucrats."

We all know we should always consider who is funding the study and for what purpose. We don't know the purpose behind The Center for Consumer Freedom's study. But if there are high levels of lead in these imported non-woven-polypropylene bags, let's get them out of our U.S. grocery stores.

Here's what we know about our Eat Local Food reusable tote bags:

1) They are made in the USA

2) They are resuable

3) They are made of cotton

4) Cotton is biodegradable

5) They are sturdy and hold up to heavy loads

6) They are washable! (See our related post on washing your reusable bags)

7) They all have beautiful, original fine art designs!

Eat Local Food's reusable tote bags are available for purchase at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com.

Have a Website? Accept Payments On-line

2011-01-27T00:24:00.008-05:00

To be a business with a credible internet presence, it is very important for your website to have the ability to accept orders online and to accept customer payments. You can either set up your own on-line merchant account or use an online payment processor.

A merchant account is a type of bank account that allows businesses to accept payments by debit or credit cards. Typically you apply for the merchant account with the same bank that has your business checking account. Fees for a merchant account can be fixed and variable and will vary by bank used. The fixed fees can include the application cost, the monthly cost of having the account, and the annual fee, if applicable. Variable fees include service transaction fees and possible monthly charges that will vary according to your use of the service. It’s important to understand all of the fees you will be responsible for prior to engaging in a contract. Also note that you will be responsible for the security of your system. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)details a set of rules merchants must adhere to in order to reduce fraud in the credit card industry. You must be able to prove your compliance with these rules.

The advantages of a merchant account include added professionalism and integrity for your business. When your customer receives their credit card statement your business name will appear next to the on-line purchase. Also after the initial set-up the overall cost of this option is typically lower than an online payment processor.

An online payment processor provides ways for you to accept credit cards and other payments online without the extra cost and responsibility of a merchant account. For the ease of using their service transaction fees for the third party processors are considerably higher than for merchant accounts. PayPal and Google checkout are two well known online payment processors.

The advantage of an online payment processor is that the system is easy to adopt and use. Also some customers feel more comfortable using their credit card with a system they are familiar with (such as PayPal).

Special Offer from Eat Local Food

2011-01-23T23:35:00.007-05:00

Eat Local Food is celebrating 2011 with a special offer: make any on-line purchase at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com from now until March 1, 2011 and receive 11% off your total. Just enter HAPNY11 in the coupon box during checkout.

At Eat Local Food^®, we provide eye-catching, high quality marketing materials promoting locally produced, farm-friendly, natural, organic and healthy foods. Our products generate sales and increase customer awareness by helping support local farmers and shop owners, and strengthening local economies by keeping the money flowing among friends and neighbors.

Eat Local Food^® products are made in the USA and are proven marketing tools. All of our merchandise is decorative, functional and reusable. Our products can be ordered with or without customization for your business. Custom designed products and art design services are also available; please call us with any special requests or questions.

Choices 2011: Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives

2011-01-23T00:47:00.013-05:00

Register now for this year's Choices Conference! To be held March 9 & 10 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan, this year's conference theme is "Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives".

Each year, this conference strives to present the latest ideas in food, health and fitness. If you are a farmer, nutritionist, educator, food activist or parent, Choices 2011 will have a topic of interest to you. Here are some of the themes in this year's conference:

Learn how to engage audiences more effectively in learning about healthy eating

Discover nutrition education trends impacting Michigan families

Learn how to select and prepare heart-healthy, child-friendly and vegetarian meals and snacks that will become family favorites

Become leaders in promoting healthy weight

Discover innovative ways to promote physical activity

Explore strategies for teaching nutrition education through school gardening

At Eat Local Food, we’re proud to be working with the Michigan Nutrition Network on the Choices Conference for the 5^th consecutive year. Eat Local Food’s “Shake the Hand that Feeds You” was selected by the organization as the image to represent this year’s conference. Attendees will receive, among other materials, an Eat Local Food conference tote featuring this striking image of a local farmer.

Registration is now open at http://www.minutritionnetwork.org/choices/

Participants can attend for one or both days. There are also special rates for those who participate in SNAP-Ed.

Choices is sponsored by the Michigan Nutrition Network at the Michigan Fitness Foundation with Michigan State University Extension and Michigan Department of Education.

Marketing in 2011: Easy as ABC

2011-01-20T16:33:00.018-05:00

A: Accept technology. Computers are no longer just for recordkeeping and cell phones for phone calls. Internet based marketing is here to stay and you need it to further your business in 2011.

B: Be consistent in your marketing approach and save yourself time and money.

C: Choose your marketing expenditures carefully and evaluate the sales response to each proposal you consider. (print advertisments v. e-newsletters etc.)

Step "A": Accepting Technology:

Accept the internet! Many on-line marketing schemes are free and easy to use. The internet offers you an immediate means of staying in touch with your customers. A strong relationship with your customers helps to ensure they will buy from you over and over. You can let customers know what you are selling at this week's farmers market, take orders on-line, provide customer testimonials and offer recipes, coupons and gift certificates.

If you don't have a web site get one
Market your web site so customers can find you
If you sell product on-line, accept credit cards (click here to read more about how to do this)
Start issuing a monthly e-newsletter (use a paid service to ensure compliance with spam laws)
Learn how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and determine which social networking websites are right for you
Start writing a blog (Blogger, WordPress, etc.)
Seek out free on-line advertising but only utilize ad sites relevant to your business

What NOT to do:

Don't try to do it all yourself: enlist the help of a family member, or hire an intern. Local college students typically know how to use current internet-based tools, usually need to work and are always building their resumes.

Don't have someone write the content of your blog or e-newsletter. You know your business best and your customer correspondence should be in your voice.

Don't spend a lot of money on a web site until you know what you want and what type of site would work best for your business. For example, selling your product on-line may not be feasible and a simple informational site might be all you need to promote your business.

Don't sign up for unneeded maintenance contracts.

Don't let the unknown territory of technology prevent you from growing your business in new ways.

Coming soon.....more on accepting technology and steps "B" and "C". Stay tuned.

New Hoop House Resource from Michigan State University

2011-01-13T15:12:00.013-05:00

If you are a farmer, farming non-profit, researcher, or garden hobbyist interested in season extension or year-round farming using hoop houses (aka high tunnels, passive solar greenhouses, unheated greenhouses) you'll find some great information at Michigan State University's new hoop house website.

On this web site you can register for upcoming workshops, download research and watch videos on hoop house building with instruction by Adam Montri, Hoop House Specialist at MSU. Use the map to locate Michigan hoop houses or add your own hoop house and farm information. You’ll also find info here about other season extension techniques like row covers, quickhoops, low tunnels, and 3-season high tunnels.

If you are an established farmer or an interested beginner - the Michigan State University Hoop House web site has something for you!

Web site design by Bob Rozelle of Eat Local Food LLC

Live Love Local: The Greening of Detroit's 20th Anniversary Celebration!

2010-09-14T13:33:00.005-04:00

Love Food? Love Music? Join The Greening of Detroit as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary.

LIVE LOVE LOCAL is to be held on Saturday, September 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Detroit Eastern Market Shed 5. Click here for a link to the Detroit Eastern Market web site and directions.

From The Greening of Detroit:

Love Food?
Twenty-Four of Metropolitan Detroit’s most delicious eateries including Russell Street Deli, Mudgie’s, Roast, Avalon International Breads, Grange, Good Girls Go To Paris, Assagi Bistro, Traffic Jam, Eve, El Barzon, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Toasted Oak Grill and Market, Grizzly Peak Jolly Pumpkin, Inn Season, Zen Temple, Angelina's Kitchen and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital will be cooking up samples highlighting local fresh fare. Onsite cooking demonstrations by homegrown, internationally recognized chefs including, Lorraine Platman of Sweet Lorraine’s, John Sommerville of The Lark and Nick Seccia of The Henry Ford will also be featured. In addition tasty Beers, and sodas from Motor City Brewing Works and wines from Sandhill Crane Vineyards will be available.

Love Music?
Throughout the day enjoy live performances from Detroit bands Blanche and Amp Fiddler!

Live Green?
Enjoy our LIVE LOVE LOCAL ECO-VILLAGE showcasing recycling, tree planting and urban gardening, along with lots of other ways to LIVE GREEN.

With very special guest and host of LIVE LOVE LOCAL WDET'S Ann Delisi

Ticket Information: Advanced tickets are $25/person or $35 at the door and
$250 Includes ticket to Live Love Local and VIP Afterglow Party.

Tickets can be purchased through:
The Greening of Detroit
1418 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 237-8733

The Greening of Detroit's 20th Anniversary Celebration is generously sponsored by Esurance and DTE Energy Foundation.

Local Harvest Events Calender

2010-09-01T14:53:00.006-04:00

This time of year there are many festivals, farm tours, harvest dinners, cooking classes and tasting events. An easy way to stay informed about the events in your area is to subscribe to Local Harvest's event calendar. They have a "Keep Me Posted" feature, which allows you to select future events to be held within 25, 50, 100 or 500 miles of your zip code. It's a way to stay connected to local farmers and farmers markets. Also, if you are planning a vacation, it's a great way to find out what's happening in the area you are visiting.

You'll get an e-mail each week telling you about events being held for the next two weeks. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Here's a link to sign-up: http://www.localharvest.org/events.jsp

Promote with a Reusable Tote!

2010-08-12T13:41:00.014-04:00

Putting your business name on a reusable tote bag is a powerful, useful, space-efficient promotional tool. Consistent, repeated marketing imagery is known to increase sales. Customers will not only use your tote bag in your store, but while shopping at other businesses and visiting other communities. Your promotional reusable tote bag becomes a walking advertising billboard for your business. And, by selling your promotional tote bag to customers at your cost, you are paying for your advertising.

Made in the USA, Eat Local Food^® tote bags are decorative, reusable and functional. Customize with your business name, logo or message and pay for your eco-friendly public advertising.

Visit www.flickr.com for photos of our Eat Local Food tote bags!

Click here for a quick slideshow.

Looking for a Farmers Market?

2010-08-12T12:59:00.008-04:00

The USDA has issued its 2010 National Farmers Market Directory.

According to the directory, there are 6,132 operational farmers markets in the U.S. The states with the most farmers markets are: California (580), New York (461), Illinois (286), Michigan (271), Iowa (229), Massachusetts (227), Ohio (213), Wisconsin (204), Pennsylvania (203) and North Carolina (182).

The USDA National Farmers Market Directory can be found at http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov. Farmers markets can be searched by state, county, zip code and participation in federal nutrition assistance programs.

Harvest Dinner at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen

2010-08-10T12:46:00.006-04:00

The Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Earthworks Urban Farm will be hosting its third annual Harvest Dinner, Saturday, September 11, celebrating local culture, local youth, and local food. The event will be held at Gleaners Community Food Bank, a Capuchin Soup Kitchen partner, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit.

This year’s family-friendly event will feature a gourmet local foods barbeque, an interactive participatory storytelling experience, youth artwork, and youth presentations. A social hour in the garden will begin at 5 pm with light appetizers, and garden tours, weather permitting. Youth and adults alike will also have the opportunity to see and learn first hand about small farm animals such as chickens. The dinner will be sourced from local farms and will be prepared by local chefs and volunteers from Jones Urban Foods, Detroit Evolution, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and more.

Patrick Crouch, Program Manager for Earthworks Urban Farm, explains the importance of storytelling. “Everyone in the world deserves a just food system. In order to achieve that goal, we need to connect with one another and create relationship. Storytelling gives an opportunity for developing a shared story.”

“This year our Harvest Dinner takes place September 11th ,” Alison Costello, Meldrum Capuchin Soup Kitchen manager explains. “Besides celebrating the gardens’ bounty and those who have made this harvest possible, we commemorate the thousands who lost their lives on September 11 and the families they left behind.”

Tickets will be priced sliding scale $15-$100. Attendees are encouraged to contribute what they are able. All are invited to sponsor a ticket for $25 for those in the community who otherwise may not be able to attend.

Ticket information is available online at www.cskdetroit.org/earthworks or calling 313-579-2100, ext 204. Reservation deadline is Thursday, September 2. Earthworks Urban Farm of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen recently partnered with Gleaners Community Food Bank to launch an urban agricultural training program called Earthworks Agricultural Training (E.A.T.)

Local Food Systems in Old Industrial Regions

2010-07-19T21:35:00.005-04:00

We were pleased to design the "Local Spice" tote bags for the upcoming August 3-7 conference "Local Food Systems in Old Industrial Regions: Challenges and Opportunities".

The conference purpose is to bring together both academics and practitioners to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise with regard to developing and maintaining local food systems in old industrial regions. It is sponsored by the International Geographical Union Commission on the Dynamics of Economic Spaces and organized by the University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center.

The keynote presentation will be given by Mike Score, President of Hantz Farms. The presentation is free and open to the public. Hantz Farms is a for-profit venture which seeks to create the world’s largest urban farm on underutilized land in the city of Detroit.

Keynote Details:

August 3 · 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Hilton Hotel, 3100 Glendale, Toledo OH

For more information about the conference, please visit:

http://uac.utoledo.edu/igu_commission/ToledoMC2010-Home.htm

Taste Washington Day

2010-07-08T13:42:00.013-04:00

Here's a great farm to school opportunity for Washington farmers:

Seeking farms interested in selling to local schools for Taste Washington Day

Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture Farm-to-School Program are partnering to celebrate Washington agriculture on September 29th with "Taste Washington Day". Schools around the state will be serving a locally-sourced meal and providing education and activities to celebrate the farms that feed us.

WSDA Farm-to-School Program will provide support to match up farms and schools and facilitate the purchasing process. We would love to include your farm as a participating farm. Many school nutrition directors are off for part of the summer, so we'd like to start the process as soon as possible.

WSNA has recommended the two menus below, or schools can make their own
menus. We encourage schools to try alternatives if they have willing
farm partners who grow other things. For instance, a district might
decide to use another kind of potato, or to do a bean or lentil chili,
or to add carrots with tops or another available vegetable to round out
the offerings.

Sample Menu 1:
Washington Baked Russet Potatoes
w/ Beef Chili and Cheese Toppings
Whole Wheat Breadstick
"Grown in Washington" Fruit Salad
Low Fat Milk

Sample Menu 2:
Hamburger w/ Cheese on a Whole Wheat Bun
Fresh Toppings: Tomatoes, Lettuce, Pickles
Fresh Corn on the Cob
"Grown in Washington" Fruit Salad
Low Fat Milk

We will also help schools add educational activities to the day, whether that's posters in the cafeteria, inviting a farmer to lunch, or visiting or lunching in a school garden. We want Washington's kids to spend that day considering the farmers who grow their food, and we want you to help us bring that to life!

For more information, to be listed as a participating farm, or to get help linking to your local school districts, please contact Tricia Kovacs, WSDA Farm-to-School Program Manager, at tkovacs@agr.wa.gov or 206-256-6150.

McDonald's Marketing to Kids: New Approach, Same Game

2010-07-01T00:23:00.012-04:00

McDonald's and the Detroit Public Library have teamed up on a program to encourage kids to read more books. Called "Books and Backpacks", the program offers a Happy Meal incentive to kids who check out a book from the Detroit Public Library 5 times. A monthly drawing will also award a lucky participant a backpack and gift certificate to Border's Bookstores.

Encouraging kids to read more is a great plan, but using McDonald's food as the incentive is not. McDonald's is appearing to be a good corporate citizen, but actually they are engaging in some really clever marketing to kids. They are hooking young children on their food and hoping to establish a life-long customer at an early age. Even the card that is stamped when they check out their books is a McDonald's bookmark - a marketing tool that the kids will carry with them and look at constantly - dreaming about their free Happy Meal.

McDonald's has come under fire lately for using Children's movie characters in their Happy Meals, most recently in their "Shrek" promotions. Last week it was reported in the L.A. Times that the Center for Science in the Public Interest threatened to sue McDonald's for using toys to market to kids. They noted that a 2006 study by the Federal Trade Commission showed that fast-food companies -- McDonald's foremost among them -- spent $520 million in advertising directed at children. $350 of the spending was on toys that were giveaways to children.

Books or toys, the end result of McDonald's marketing is the same - kids eating food high in fat and salt. Let's continue to promote healthy foods to our children and in our schools. Our children deserve better food than this.

Read the entire article about the "Books and Backpacks" Program in the Detroit Free Press.

Market Your Food Based on the Food Rules

2010-07-01T00:14:00.008-04:00

I recently picked up a copy of Michael Pollan's "Food Rules - An Eater's Manual". It's an easy-to-read slim paperback with 64 rules for eating, divided into the following 3 sections:

1) What Should I Eat?

2) What Kind of Food Should I Eat?

3) How Should I Eat?

If you are a farmer or food producer reaching your customers through direct marketing, I think this book could be a great promotional tool for you. Here are just a few of the "Food Rules":

"Eat only food that will eventually rot"
"Avoid foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup"
"Eat sweet food as you find them in nature"
"Eat well grown food from healthy soil"
"Buy your snacks at the farmers market"

What are these food rules promoting? Good Food. Your locally grown, farm fresh, green, nutritious fruits, vegetables and whole grains grown in healthy soil.

Through his writings, Michael Pollan has built a reputation for being a food expert in our country. He has a strong following and the ability to reach and influence the general public through his work. I'm sure he wants family farmers and small food producers to succeed. So consider this: buy a copy of his book, highlight and tab the "Food Rules" that apply to your food and leave a copy on your farm stand, your farmers market booth or near the check-out at your Farm Market. You'll be promoting your food and Michael Pollan's book at the same time. I don't think he'll mind.

Michael Pollan's web site offers a description of his latest book along with excerpts and places to purchase a copy.

Fruits and Veggies A to Z song

2010-06-30T23:57:00.012-04:00

On the lighter side, here's a little fruit and veggie song. Hope you enjoy it!

Joan

To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:

Fruits and Veggies A to Z

Carrots that will help you see

Beets you purchase in a bunch

Broccoli you like to munch

Onions, Kale, Zucchini, too

Veggies that are good for you

Fruit and Veggies A to Z

5 a day to be healthy!

Fruits and Veggies A to Z

Cherries that are so tasty

Apples with a healthy crunch

Grapes are tasty in your lunch

Berries, melon, peaches too

Fresh fruits that are good for you

Fruit and Veggies A to Z

5 a day to be healthy!

Detroit Eastern Market

2010-06-26T13:34:00.007-04:00

The Detroit Eastern Market got a very nice write-up in the June 26th copy of the Free Press. We've done business with Dan, Randall and Kimberly ever since we started Eat Local Food, and they have done nothing but impress us with their dedication to returning the market to its deserved place as a crown jewel for the city. If you haven't made it down to the market in the last few years, please take this as a not so gentle reminder to get your self down there.

Also, while you are there, don't forget to stop by R. Hirt Jr. Co. and visit Mary on the third floor.

Bob

Wash your Reusable Bags!

2010-06-25T23:46:00.009-04:00

This from the Washington Post:

Reusable bags found to be dirty

A reminder to shoppers who use reusable grocery bags: Don't forget to wash them after you've emptied them.

Nearly every bag examined for bacteria by researchers at the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University found whopping amounts of bugs. Coliform bacteria, suggesting raw-meat or uncooked-food contamination, was in half of the bags, and E. coli was found in 12 percent of the bags.

Running the bags through a washer or cleaning them by hand reduced bacteria levels to almost nothing, the study reported, but nearly all shoppers questioned said they do not regularly, if ever, wash their reusable bags. About a third said they also used their food-shopping bags to haul around non-food items.

The study was funded by the American Chemistry Council amid debate over a California bill that would ban single-use plastic bags. The council is opposed to that measure.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/24/AR2010062406143.html

Eat Local Food USA made tote bags are reusable and washable and we DO recommend you wash them regularly - especially if you use them for grocery shopping. We recommend you turn your Eat Local Food Tote Bag inside out and wash it on a cold water setting. Leaving it turned inside out, it can be put in your clothes dryer on a low heat setting. We've washed our bags many, many times and the designs hold up beautifully! You can view available in stock designs at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com.

Interested in customizing your Eat Local Food bag? Add your name, logo or slogan to one of our designs - many of our banner designs (see our web store) can also be used for tote bags. Call us at 734.341.7028 if you have questions or would like a custom quote.

Eat Local Food offers Farm & Food Stock Photography

2010-06-07T16:56:00.009-04:00

We are pleased to present Eat Local Food stock photography!

You can now choose from a collection of amazing photographs taken by our sister and artist, Chris Witkowski. These photos are very unique and capture the essence of "local food". Click here to view the photos.

If you are looking to add an image to your website or need an illustration for an advertisement, you will love this collection.

All photos are available as images for Eat Local Food custom work, so if you see an image you really want on a banner, postcard or other item, please contact us at 734.341.7028 or e-mail us at info@eatlocalfood.com

20 Worst Beverages and the Price of Ice

2010-05-26T01:11:00.006-04:00

8 ½ scoops of ice cream? 7 bowls of Fruit Loops cereal? One dozen doughnuts? Would you eat that much sugar in one sitting? You may be if you partake in any of the “Worst Beverages” in

America

With categories like “Worst Smoothie”, “Worst Frozen Coffee Drink” “Worst Lemonade”, Men’s Health Magazine presents their “Worst-of” in Beverages. Noting that in the U.S. we no longer make our own teas and lemonades, and that the average American drinks one gallon of soda pop a week (can you believe that?), they include the fat and sugar equivalents for each drink in their “worst-of” categories.

It’s startling and will make you get out your sun tea jars and juicers for the summer, if you haven’t already. Make your own beverages with fruit, teas and water – they are healthier for you and fun to make! Farmers markets offer lots of fresh fruit that are fantastic in lemonades, smoothies and teas.

Here’s a link to the 20 Beverage list:

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/20-worst-drinks-america-2010

On a related beverage note, I stopped by a Starbuck’s today because I had a coupon for a free tall (12 oz.) coffee. I asked them for a decaf coffee poured over ice. The barista told me “we can’t do that”. I said, “You can’t pour coffee over ice? (really?)” and she informed me that they have an iced coffee drink called “Café Americano” that I would have to order instead. I asked what was in a Café Americano, and was told it was decaf espresso mixed with water and poured over ice. I said that drink would be fine and ordered it. When I presented my coupon for a free coffee, I was told that it only applied to a 12 oz hot coffee beverage, not an iced drink.

Apparently adding ice to your drink changes everything……

Local Fundraisers for your School Lunch Program

2010-05-20T14:01:00.008-04:00

When you conduct a fundraiser for your school lunch program, you are sending a message to your volunteers, your supporters, and to your community. That message contains a values statement about your school.

Your fundraising message should be:

· Consistent with your school wellness policy

o i.e., no candy or pop sales, promoting physical activity

· Consistent with a responsible marketing policy

o i.e., no cartoon characters or corporate brands

· Supporting "community tie-ins", not "corporate tie-ins"

o i.e., get involved with your community, not large corporations that are not locally based. Often corporate involvement is viewed as philanthropy, but it is 100% profit driven.

· Supportive of the environment whenever possible

o i.e., don't waste limited resources (water) or create waste.

Fundraising ideas for your school:

Establish fundraisers involving local food and food-themed merchandise.
Host Harvest Lunches and sell tickets to the entire community
Publish recipe cards and cookbook from the school lunch program, encouraging families to eat nutritious meals at home.
Publish a school calendar with recipes, food purchasing tips, and food safety tips.
Sell fruit and vegetable themed note cards, postcards, tote bags promoting your school lunch program.
Sell locally grown flowers for Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas.
Sell heirloom bulbs and unique plants to gardeners each fall.
Sell items that promote physical activity such as kites, hula hoops, jump ropes, packages of seeds, window box herb garden kits
A Dance Marathon is another kid-friendly, physical activity event. Profits are generated from ticket sales and local food "heart-healthy" concessions.
Have an "earth-friendly" fundraiser. Organizing a community cleanup project, is another physical activity based fundraiser that sends a positive message at the same time. Participants pledge dollars per pound.
Host a weekend specialty sale of a seasonal item. Examples would be a Pumpkin Patch sale, a Christmas Tree sale, a Spring Flower Bulb Day.
Host a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser at your school cafeteria, serving healthy beverages and fresh fruit toppings for the pancakes.

Another idea is to collaborate with like-minded community members for creative fundraising efforts. Utilize their resources and membership base to promote your school lunch program.

Consider contacting your:

Local food co-op's education and outreach department.

Co-host a fundraising event and invite the food co-op's membership.

Local farmers market

Conduct school food/chef demos using local produce at the farmers market. Hold a raffle during the school food demos.

Locally owned independent restaurants

Organize a theme night where local restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds to your school lunch program

Downtown Business Authority or your local business association

Ask for your school lunch program to be the recipient of their charitable event

Kathleen Merrigan speaks at National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

2010-05-20T12:45:00.009-04:00

I had the pleasure of hearing USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan speak at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Detroit, Michigan yesterday. While her talk focused on how Michigan agriculture can tap into the economic opportunity of local and regional food markets, the information is relevant to communities across the country.

One of the opportunities Merrigan discussed for farmers is to participate in local farm to school programs that enable schools to feature farms that provide healthy, locally-sourced products in their school cafeterias. The USDA is currently sending out teams to school districts to help them overcome barriers to purchasing locally-produced foods. Some of these programs also incorporate nutrition-based studies, as well as opportunities for kids to get involved with food and agriculture, such as gardening curricula, cooking classes, and composting activities.

This is very encouraging information, not only for farmers seeking new markets and income opportunities, but for the future outlook of nutrition in our schools, and the overall health of U.S. school children! Local food is fresher and more nutritious, and exposing our children to more appealing and healthy food will help combat the childhood obesity crisis in our country.

One VERY encouraging bit of news was that the U.S. government is no longer purchasing "spent hens" (old egg-laying hens that are used in pet food in this country) for the National School Lunch Program. In a December 2009 report in USA Today, they found that the U.S. government spent more than $145 million on spent-hen meat for schools— a total of more than 77 million pounds served in chicken patties and salads. Osteoporosis-ridden splintering bones and the potential for salmonella in spent-hen meat are some of the potential dangers to children. Yesterday, Merrigan stated that spent hens will no longer be purchased and served as part of the National School Lunch Program!

Let's hope that these promising food trends continue in the USDA and the National School Lunch program.

To find out more about the USDA "Know your Farmer, Know your Food" program and available grants, loans and support for your farming operation, click here.

To read the USDA news release regarding Merrigan's speech and visit to Michigan, click here.

Food System Economic Partnership of SE Michigan 2010 Conference

2010-05-12T08:53:00.004-04:00

The Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) exists to catalyze change it the food system of Southeastern Michigan. The organization provides research, education and outreach with urban and rural partnerships, resulting in agricultural development opportunities, sustainable communities, and healthy local economies.

Interested in learning more? FSEP's annual annual conference is Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the Jackson Area Career Center in Jackson, Michigan.

With 17 breakout sessions to choose from, there is a topic of interest to everyone. Participants will gain an understanding of the local food system and explore opportunities for growth in production, processing, distribution, sales and consumption of local foods. Learn how to launch your own specialty product, how to integrate farm to school into your school, and how to use the internet to build your farm or food business.

Key note speaker Michael Sands will speak on on identifying and developing our next generation of farmer entrepreneurs. Sands is Executive Director of the Liberty Prairie Foundation, a private operating foundation dedicated to providing leadership in natural resource management and land

conservation in northern Illinois. He also founded and runs the Farm Business Development Center, a business incubator for beginning organic farmers committed to creating financially rewarding and ecologically healthy farm businesses in the suburban landscape.

For more information on registration, sponsorship and directions to the conference, please visit www.fsepmichigan.org

To view the 2010 FSEP conference brochure, click here.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Great Lakes Networking Day

2010-04-28T00:14:00.002-04:00

Join the Great Lakes Networking Day on May 16th in Detroit, Michigan!

There will be a full of day of FUN preceding the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference “Taking Root” (Detroit MI May 17th-19th) and an opportunity to make farm to school friends throughout the region!

See Great Lakes Day: http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5/schedule/gl-networking/

Eat Local Food Price Card Holders

2010-04-25T22:41:00.004-04:00

When purchasing Eat Local Food Price Cards through our on-line store, you will see that Price Card holders are no longer an option in the Price Card category. Instead, they are a separately purchased product in their own category. This was done to allow you to purchase the holders individually and at different quantities from your Price Card orders. The price remains the same: $2.00 per dozen for the metal pin holders; $4.00 per dozen for the plastic holders.

We hope you continue to enjoy our reusable Eat Local Food Price Cards!

Regards,

Bob

Taking Root: 5th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

2010-04-16T23:14:00.014-04:00

Register now for the 5th annual farm to cafeteria conference to be held in Detroit, Michigan on May 17 - 19, 2010. We hope to see you there - Eat Local Food is an exhibitor at the conference.
Can't make it to the conference but want to participate in the extra events? Here are the details:

Local Foods Reception
Monday, May 17
6:30 - 9:00 pm

As you stroll through The Henry Ford, you’ll be inspired by America’s innovative spirit and have the opportunity to taste the best that Michigan has to offer. Learn how the staff incorporates local food throughout the institution while meeting the people who have helped the Farm to Cafeteria movement Take Root.

The reception is open to the public and tickets are available online. The reception is free for all registered conference participants. http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/registration/login

Movie Night
Location: Ren Cen 4 Theatre
GM RenCen, Tower 200 Level 2, Detroit, MI 48243

Times: Tuesday, May 18.
Screenings at 6:30 and 8:30, followed by Q&A with the filmmakers

Price: Sliding scale donation requested.
Free for Taking Root conference participants.

Snacks: Free snacks and beverages will be provided by Applegate Farms.

Sponsor: Applegate Farms:

Taking Root is proud to present two stellar films about Farm to Cafeteria issues during our double feature movie night:

Lunch Line reframes the school lunch debate through an examination of the program's surprising past, present, and possible future.
http://www.ujifilms.com/works/lunchline.html

Grown in Detroit: Just imagine... teen moms becoming urban farmers. Utopia? Not in Detroit. Nature is taking over the city and the new generation is taught to harvest its profit.
http://grownindetroit.filmmij.nl

Field Trips Filling Up Fast!
You don't want to miss out on these trips! Register to reserve your seat for one of the field trips or short courses.
http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5/schedule/pre-conf

Earth Day 40 is April 22!

2010-04-16T14:17:00.004-04:00

Earth Day 40 is April 22 - Celebrate in style with an Eat Local Food USA Made tote bag!

Market Tote Bags are made in the

USA

from sturdy, natural 10 oz. cotton designed to hold heavy loads. Our tote bags are great for holiday gifts, customer appreciation giveaways, and fund raising raffles. Toss a couple in your car for your next shopping trip and demonstrate your commitment to the community and to the environment while showing a keen sense of art and fashion.

Free shipping and package of postcards included!

If you are having trouble with accessing the Eat Local Food Webstore, Please Read

2010-04-16T07:49:00.003-04:00

Hi,

Recently we received an email from a customer who was having trouble accessing the webstore. She was using an IE8 browser with satellite access and was unable to get beyond a blank screen. As an alternative, she downloaded Chrome (http://www.google.com/chrome) and was able to access the webstore.

I am very interested in finding out if this is an isolated problem. Prior to releasing any updates to the webstore, I test on Firefox, Chrome, IE8, Safari and Opera. Following release, I test with IE6. My testing has shown that Chrome consistently out performs the other browsers.

If anyone is having issues accessing the webstore, please contact us at info@eatlocalfood.com or call me at 734 775-8577. Please be prepared to provide me the following information:

1. Operating System (Windows 7, Vista, XP, Ubuntu, etc.) and version

2. Browser and version

3. Whether or not you have tried to clear local cache (typically an F5 will handle this).

Regards,

Bob Rozelle

Kids are the Customers!

2010-03-23T15:59:00.015-04:00

I'm excited to be participating in a workshop for the 2010 National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. The conference is being held in Detroit, Michigan from Monday, May 17 through Wednesday, May 19. Attendees at the conference will have the opportunity to learn about initiatives involving pre-school, K-12, childcare facilities, hospitals, colleges and prisons. I'll be presenting with Renee DeWindt, the Food Service Director for Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools and Gene Peyerk, Food Service Director for Glen Lake Community Schools. Our workshop is called:

Kids are the Customers: Marketing Local Food in Schools

We will be sharing tips for marketing school food service programs marketing school food service programs within the community, engaging students, school administrators, teachers, families, local farmers, and community leaders. Learn how marketing local food in school meals programs can be a positive educational experience and a fundraising program for schools, thereby eliminating the need for in-school commercial marketing programs

Attendees of our workshop will be able to:

Better understand how to put together a marketing plan to market local foods in school cafeterias.
Bring home creative tips and ideas for marketing local foods to his/her own community.
Collaborate with colleagues to integrate their school food service program into school events, extracurricular activities and educational programs.

To register for conference, please go to http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5/. Early bird registration ends this Friday, March 26! It's a $30 savings if you register before Friday's deadline, so don't delay!

Here's a Locally Produced Valentine!

2010-02-12T16:23:00.008-05:00

As reported by the Albert Lea Tribune, which serves southern Minnesota and northern Iowa:

Farmer Bruce Andersland has created a half-mile wide arrow-pierced heart made of manure as a Valentine for his wife of 37 years. He drew the plans on paper, then drove his tractor and manure spreader over the snow covered field to create the special heart shape. His wife Beth commented that it was the most original and biggest Valentine she has received in her life. Beth raises purebred Simmental cattle on their farm so this was a very locally produced Valentine!

Click here to read the original article in the Albert Lea Tribune.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! And if my husband Bob is reading this post, I admire this man's creativity, but I'd really rather have chocolates!!

NAFDMA 2010 Trade Show

2010-02-07T11:24:00.007-05:00

We were looking forward to attending our first NAFDMA Trade Show in Lancaster, PA this upcoming week. Unfortunately, both work and personal constraints made us reevaluate our plans and cancel our participation.

North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is a trade association dedicated to the farm direct marketing industry. Members are family farms who sell farm-grown produce directly to consumers at farm stands, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own farms, consumer-supported agriculture, agritourism venues, and other ever-growing innovations in direct producer-to-consumer agricultural marketing methods. For more information about the association, visit www.nafdma.com.

We’d like to offer you the discount we would have given to NAFDMA trade show attendees. If you place an order on-line at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com, we are continuing to offer a 10% discount from now until February 28, 2010. Just enter the code “EXPO09” during checkout.

We hope the show is a great success for our fellow exhibitors and all the attendees.

For 2010: Metrics, Measures and Assessing your Day

2010-02-06T00:01:00.012-05:00

Today I was doing research on farm photography and came across Roger Overall’s blog. He is a fantastic photographer based in Cork, Ireland. In a recent blog post, Mr. Overall noted that he applied three measures to determine the success of his business day:

Did I take a worthwhile photograph?
Did I learn something valuable?
Did I strengthen my business relationships or start a new one?

How do you determine the success of your business day? Are there 3 measures you could use to assess your day? Perhaps there are more than 3, or only one. This question gave me pause for thought.

As a small business owner, it’s important to have metrics and measures to evaluate your operations. Annual sales goals, number of returning customers, bottom line profits are all periodic measures of the health of your business. But as a small business owner - whether you are a farmer, retailer or restaurateur – you often perform many tasks yourself and a business day can pass quickly without assessment. Days turn into weeks and weeks into months, then years. Perhaps taking 5 minutes to evaluate the success of each business day will bring to light some small task, some opportunity, which will make your life easier or your business healthier.

In 2010, I vow to follow Roger Overall’s philosophy and apply measures to determine the success of my business day. After much thought, I found I have 4 important measures:

1) Did I make a sale?

2) Did I strengthen my business relationships or start a new one?

3) Did I write something?

4) Did I complete my office tasks? (accounting, tracking marketing efforts, updating our business plan, developing new product)

I'll post again on my success on assessing my daily success! If you have a similar habit you follow, we'd love to hear from you.

Food System Economic Partnership of SE Michigan Plans 2010 Conference

2010-01-30T09:11:00.010-05:00

Save the Date! FSEP Annual Conference is June 24, 2010

Do you live in Southeastern Michigan? Are you interested in learning about building a better food system in the region?

The Food System Economic Partnership's fifth annual conference "Building a Better Food System in Southeastern Michigan" is scheduled for June 24, 2010 at the Jackson Career Center located at 6800 Browns Lake Road in Jackson. More details will be posted as they develop.

Workshop session proposals are being accepted and are due February 19, 2010. Please send your submission electronically to reau@msu.edu. Put "FSEP Conference Proposal" in the message subject line. A workshop description of 150 words or less must accompany your proposal. Areas of interest include business innovation, food access and security, and nutrition and health.

Conference presenters will receive a complimentary conference registration which includes lunch. There are no funds available to cover travel expenses.

To submit a session proposal visit www.fsepmichigan.org - there is a submission form detailing all the required information.

Marketing to Kids: Let's Make it an Educational Experience!

2010-01-28T16:38:00.009-05:00

Marketing to children has always been a commercial endeavor instead of an educational endeavor. Kid-focused marketing has long had a negative connotation caused by the commercialization of education by big business interested in increased profits. It has been concerned with selling soft drinks and high-caloric low-nutrition foods in schools to establish a life long customer relationship at an early age. Needing funds to support school programs, administrators have opted to improve revenue for the school system in exchange for exploding obesity rates and a decline in the overall health of the student body.

Marketing local food in your school food service program can be a positive educational experience and a fundraising program for your school.

Marketing for your school food service program should be directed toward the students and also to school administrators, teachers, parents and the community. Students should be encouraged to follow a healthier way of eating and their peers, teachers, parents and community members should be encouraged to support this effort. The adults in the community have a special responsibility to ensure that children are being educated about healthy nutritious food choices and not being exploited as a life long consumer.

Ways to market your school food service program:

Develop a marketing plan to support your program. Devise a program name, menu, signage, educational information to promote menu items and local food.

Establish fundraisers involving local food and food related merchandise.

Cultivate on-site school garden - use the White House garden as an educational example!

Host Harvest Lunches and invite the entire community!

Host Local Farmers visiting the schools

Create family surveys to foster family participation in the program. Keep in mind if you use a family survey you must be prepared to publicly address the feedback and your application of that feedback.

Create games involving local food.

Initiate raffles involving local food.

Plan field trips to local farms and orchards and incorporate lessons about the source of your food.

Publish recipe cards and cookbook from the school lunch program, encouraging families to eat nutritious meals at home.

Publish a school calendar with recipes, food purchasing tips, and food safety tips.

There's Room at the Table with Choices 2010

2010-01-28T14:16:00.005-05:00

Collaboration is defined in Wikipedia as a process where two or more people or organizations work together in an intersection of common goals – by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. This year, collaboration is at the heart of the Michigan Nutrition Network’s Choices Conference with the theme, “Collaboration: There’s Room at the Table”.

Choices 2010 will be held March 10 & 11 and is expected to draw more than 200 attendees to the Michigan State University campus. Attendees will include school educators, MSU Extension educators, community and nonprofit organization members, healthcare workers, nutritionists and dietitians – with room at the table for all voices and backgrounds.

At CHOICES 2010, you'll:

* Learn how to conduct a successful urban garden project
* Discover food trends that are on the horizon
* Learn how to cook heart-healthy meals for families and vegetarian recipes
* Get on the food preservation band wagon
* Explore strategies for teaching nutrition education through school gardening

At Eat Local Food, we’re proud to be working with the Michigan Nutrition Network on the Choices Conference for the 4^th consecutive year. Eat Local Food’s “Garden Girls” was selected by the organization as the image to represent this year’s conference. Attendees will receive, among other materials, an Eat Local Food conference tote featuring the Garden Girls.

In addition to the Michigan Nutrition Network, sponsors of the conference also include Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Food & Fitness, and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.

For the press release and more information regarding Choices 2010, click here!

Hope to see you there!

Google Chrome

2010-01-18T12:17:00.005-05:00

I know this is way off the topic of local food, but during the development of the new Eat Local Food Store (http://www.eatlocalfoodstore.com), I tested the site with the major browsers in use today: Internet Explore, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Chrome. I found that Chrome is typically twice as fast as the other browsers. I recommend that if you haven't, you should download Chrome and give it a try, you can always go back to the browser you use today if you don't like it. But for me, Chrome makes using the internet a more enjoyable experience.

Bob

P.S. This is an unsolicited endorsement of this product, Eat Local Food or myself have not received any consideration for posting it.

Michigan Good Food Summit in Lansing

2010-01-18T11:28:00.009-05:00

Eat Local Food is proud of the work it is doing in support of the Michigan Good Food Summit in Lansing on Thursday, February 25. The summit will assemble food system stakeholders from across the state to shape a plan that propels Michigan towards food production, distribution and marketing to support equity, sustainability and thriving economies. Good Food is about building on our assets in ways that enable Michigan residents to thrive and our communities to prosper.

For more information, go to http://www.michiganfood.org/

The summit is being sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Food & Community Program.

2010 Top Restaurant Trends include Locally Sourced Food & Drink!

2009-12-21T22:52:00.008-05:00

I received this information via e-mail today and thought it was interesting enough to share. It's a Chef Survey from the National Restaurant Association, and shows the top 20 trends of 2010. The latest survey, conducted in 2009, was based on the input of more than 1,800 Chefs.Respondents ranked 214 items by how trendy they would be in 2010. What's interesting is that over 50% of the trends listed relate to locally sourced food & drink, sustainable sourcing and nutritionally healthy menu choices. It looks like local food producers will continue to see an upswing in consumer interest in their products. We hope this translates into higher business profits for you in 2010!

Here's the link to the entire list: http://www.restaurant.org/pdfs/research/whats_hot_2010.pdf

Top 20 trends:

1 Locally grown produce

2 Locally sourced meats and seafood

3 Sustainability

4 Bite-size/mini desserts

5 Locally-produced wine and beer

6 Nutritionally balanced children*s dishes

7 Half-portions/smaller portion for a smaller price

8 Farm/estate-branded ingredients

9 Gluten-free/food allergy conscious

10 Sustainable seafood

11 Superfruits (e.g. acai, goji berry, mangosteen, purslane)

12 Organic produce

13 Culinary cocktails (e.g. savory, fresh ingredients)

14 Micro-distilled/artisan liquor

15 Nutrition/health

16 Simplicity/back to basics

17 Regional ethnic cuisine

18 Non-traditional fish (e.g. branzino, Arctic char, barramundi)

19 Newly fabricated cuts of meat (e.g. Denver steak, pork flat iron, Petite Tender)

20 Fruit/vegetable children's side items

Top 5 Kids Trends:

1 Nutritionally balanced children's dishes

2 Fruit/vegetable children's side items

3 Kid cuisine/gourmet children's dishes

4 Children's entrée salads

5 Ethnic-inspired children's dishes

Happy Holidays from Eat Local Food!

2009-12-21T22:43:00.007-05:00

We would like to extend our appreciation to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo. Bob and I really enjoyed the week - it's always enjoyable to visit with friends, meet new people and share ideas about how to market local food.

To help with your marketing plans for 2010, we are offering a special discount for 10% off any order from now until February 28, 2010. Please see the coupon below for details. Our banners, tote bags, reusable price cards and posters are all proven marketing tools to show off your locally grown fresh produce!

Place any order through our Eat Local Food on-line store and receive 10% off your total bill (excluding shipping costs). Just enter EXPO09 (all caps) in the discount coupon box during the checkout process. Shop on-line at ww.eatlocalfoodstore.com.

You can also enter our on-line store through our web site at www.eatlocalfood.com. In the upper right hand corner, just click on "Shop Online" to get started.

This offer cannot be combined with any other discount offer - in other words, only one discount coupon can be applied to an order. But please feel free to share this coupon with your friends!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season

and the best of luck in 2010,

Joan Tobin Rozelle

Eat Local Food LLC

734.341.7028

jtobin@eatlocalfood.com

Creative Marketing for CSA Farms

2009-12-02T00:43:00.005-05:00

Michelle and Danny Lutz are great examples of farmers who know what it takes to run a successful farm direct marketing endeavor. They routinely examine their business and resourcefully come up with new marketing ideas to keep their CSA members coming back each season. If you operate a CSA farm, we recommend you visit www.maplecreekfarm.com for some excellent marketing ideas. If you are looking to become a CSA Farm member, we can personally recommend Maple Creek Farm – we have been members for 3+ years.

New in 2010, Maple Creek Organic Farm is offering a smaller 3/4 bushel weekly share option at a reduced price. It's a great alternative size for anyone who has a smaller household or who travels during the week.

From Farmer Michelle Lutz, Maple Creek Farm:

We are excited about our new share size for the 2010 season. We could really use some help getting the word out. If you've had friends or family that were interested in getting a share before, but found it was too much produce for them on a weekly basis our new share sizes have perfect options for everyone.

CSA Memberships also make perfect gifts for your loved ones-a season of great food

Maple Creek Farm wants to be a part of your healthy lifestyle. By redesigning our membership, more people can enjoy the benefits of eating local organic produce and experience the satisfaction of supporting a CSA

Our plans are to offer 2 types of supporting memberships for the 2010 season.

The new box size is 3/4 of a bushel-it's a reduction from the 1 1/9 box we've been using. One 3/4 bushel box will be considered our Single share size. This share will be perfect for 1-2 people. We're offering it for $400 for the 20 week season. Renewing members will be offered this options for $380 if they pay in full by 12/31/09.

Two 3/4 bushel boxes will be called our Family Share. This share will be perfect for a family of 4. We're offering the family share for $750 for the 20 week season. Renewing members will be offered this option for $710 if paid in full by 12/31/09.

As a renewing member you will need the following discount codes. Please keep in mind the renewing member discount will only be valid for membership paid in full by 12/31/09.

Single Shares: One 3/4 bushel box per week for 20 weeks use code: 2010SINGLE

Family Share: Two 3/4 bushels boxes per week for 20 weeks use code: 2010FAMILY

We hope you find our new size of share is accommodating and affordable. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Our web site address is: www.maplecreekfarm.com.

We love the Banana Slug String Band!

2009-11-25T12:28:00.007-05:00

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,

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

2009-11-24T00:45:00.006-05:00

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

2009-11-23T00:14:00.002-05:00

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

2009-11-18T11:09:00.013-05:00

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

2009-11-08T20:37:00.002-05:00

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

E-newsletters help keep sales and marketing on track

2009-10-27T15:25:00.006-04:00

There are lots of reasons to publish a monthly e-newsletter. Keeping in touch with your customers, generating interest in your products and attracting business to your webstore are just a few of them. One reason that we generate a monthly newsletter is that it holds us to a schedule for our business. When you are running a small business you are often wearing many hats and days go by quickly. Issuing a newsletter makes you stop and assess your sales and marketing, each and every month. If you know your newsletter is due in two weeks, you have a self imposed deadline to update your web site, get that new product ready or register for the next trade show.

Here is our monthly newsletter checklist:

• What new products do we have?
• Do we have any product specials?
• What new designs do we have?
• Are we offering any new services?
• Have we updated our pricing?
• Are the new products, product specials and/or new images on the web site?
• What events are approaching?
• Are we planning to attend the event?
• Are we exhibiting at the event?
• Are we sponsoring the event?
• Are we registered for the event?
• Are we affiliated with any non profit organizations that are hosting an event?
• Have we completed any significant work for a customer that we want to announce or promote?
• Are our customers using our products in interesting ways?
• Do we have any new marketing tips this month?
• Do we have any new articles we’ve written?

If you go through this exercise and can’t come up with any new developments for your business, it could be an indication that things are getting stale. It may be time to reevaluate your products, pricing and promotions. Use your monthly e-newsletter as a way to keep sales and marketing fresh in your business!

Eat Local Food Alphabet

2009-10-15T10:03:00.026-04:00

More then ever before, local food is becoming part of many school food programs across the country. School Food Service Directors and Teachers involved in Farm to School Programs face the added challenge of keeping kids interested in their programs while they are introducing them to fruits and vegetables. Many children only know fruits and vegetables as they appear in their favorite fast food. We've heard stories about students who didn't know potato chips were made from a vegetable, or have eaten catsup but never seen a fresh tomato. How do you market your school food program or teach kids about good nutrition? We spent a lot of time thinking about these questions, and came up with some ways Eat Local Food could promote nutrition education. We are very excited to present our new educational products for kids: the Eat Local Food Alphabet memory card game, and the Eat Local Food Alphabet poster.

Fruit and Veggies A to Z, a Memory Card Game

Kids will have great fun learning the alphabet along with 26 fruits and vegetables! Includes favorite locally grown fruits and veggies while introducing some new ones, too!
Fruit and Veggies A to Z is a memory card game designed for one or two people. The game is played by placing the cards in a square playing area face down, then players take turns flipping
pairs of cards over. On each turn, the player will first turn one card over, then a second. If the two cards match, the player scores one point, the two cards are removed from the game, and the player
gets another turn. If they do not match, the cards are turned back over. The object is to match more pairs of cards than the opposing player. Fruit and Veggies A to Z has 26 unique pairs of cards representing each letter in the English alphabet, making 52 cards total. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Frutas y Vegetales A to Z, A Memory Card Game English/Spanish version

Frutas y Vegetales A to Z is a memory card game that offers the same features as Fruit and Veggies A to Z but has the added bonus of presenting each fruit or vegetable in both English and
Spanish. Kids will love learning their fruits and vegetables in two languages! A great teaching tool for bi-lingual instruction. Frutas y Vegetales A to Z has 26 unique pairs of cards representing each letter in the English alphabet, making 52 cards total. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Fruit and Veggie Alphabet Poster

Our Fruit & Veggie Alphabet Poster is a bright, colorful addition to any classroom, lunchroom or child’s bedroom. Kids will love learning their alphabet along with 26 fruits and vegetables!

These products can be customized with your name and logo for your school, organization or business. Please call us at 734.341.7028 to order or for more information. You can also see our Farm to School banners now available at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com.

Buying Local Supports the Local Economy

2009-10-08T18:32:00.015-04:00

Interested in selling your produce to local restaurants and schools? Have a fantastic family recipe that you just know will be a big seller on the market? You might consider attending this low-cost all -day workshop on How Buying Local Helps Support the Local Economy. Louise Mikesell-Wireman, Direct Marketing Specialist for The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) sent us this workshop announcement the other day. We are planning to attend and thought others in the Michigan/Ohio area might be interested in participating.

From the CIFT(www.eisc.org):

How Buying Local Food Helps Support the Local Economy

It seems local is no long a buzz word. Everyone is touting buy local, from the bank, appliance centers and of course fresh local foods. Come and hear ideas on how to get local into the schools, how you can purchase from a farm, hear local farmers and producers tell their story about selling to those who live around them.

So save Wednesday November 18th, 2009 for this workshop.

Toledo, OH – The Center for Innovative Food Technology, CIFT, is sponsoring a day long workshop for farmers, producers, food service venues, and those interested in buying and eating local. It will also be of interest to business and economic development professionals exploring local food connections. The workshop will be held on Wednesday November 18, 2009 in the Ward Pavilion at 5100 W. Central Avenue at the east end of Wildwood Preserve between Corey and Reynolds roads.

This workshop will focus on multiple areas: how to connect local produce to the restaurants and other food service venues, how to get more local foods into the schools, selling directly to the consumers, niche markets, community support agriculture, and how to produce the family recipe into a product to sell.

Presenters at this workshop will include retired chef, restaurant owner and local food advocate Parker Bosley from the Cleveland area, Deb Eschmeyer an Ohio advocate of the Farm to School National Organization along with presentations from participating members of the Northwest Ohio Fresh Network.

This workshop fee is $20; bring two canned goods for the Toledo Seagate Food Bank and the fee is $15. The event will start at 10:00 a.m. with walk in registration starting at 9:30 a.m. and will adjourn at 4:00 p.m. Local refreshments and lunch will be served. Registration to this event is required. To register for this workshop or for additional information, please call Nancy Hansen at 419-535-6000 or email lmikesell-wireman@eisc.org.

The Center for Innovative Food Technology provides technical solutions to companies involved in the nation’s largest and most economically significant industry – food processing.

Hope to see you there!

Louise Mikesell-Wireman

Direct Marketing Specialist, CIFT

Greenfield Village Open Air Farmers Market

2009-09-17T00:08:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, September 26 and Saturday, October 3, we'll be participating in one of our favorite events of the year, the Greenfield Village Farmers Market. Greenfield Village is an 80 acre venue honoring the traditions, architecture, artisans, food and music of America's past. The annual open air farmers market brings together the best local food that Southeast Michigan has to offer. It's a fun family event with a great community spirit. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village have a great tradition of using local ingredients in their restaurants and catering. During the fall season, try their butternut squash soup, hobo bread and cherry chicken sausage - so good!

From the Greenfield Village website:

Enjoy an open air farm market where you can purchase local grains and baking mixes, handcrafted creations from Greenfield Village’s Herb Society, organic breads, local farm fresh produce, pumpkins, meats, honey, apples from local farmers and more.

This event is rain or shine. The Fall Season Farmers Market is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

Contact information:

The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-4088

The Henry Ford Call Center:
313.982.6001
7 days a week: 9:00am-5:00pm
TDD: 313.271.2455

Eat Local Food heads back to School

2009-09-14T20:31:00.027-04:00

We’ve been encouraged by the recent announcements of the USDA regarding their national “Know your Farmer, Know your Food” campaign. We’re also excited about the work of our local farm to school programs. Some of the goals of Farm to School programs are to connect local farmers with school food directors, to encourage healthy eating in school food programs, and to educate children about nutrition and healthy eating habits. Farm to School programs across the country are doing amazing work. With the alarming rates of childhood obesity and diabetes in our country, programs such as these are critical to educating students on leading healthier lifestyles.

At Eat Local Food, we had a recent opportunity to work with the Michigan Farm to School initiative and to design banners for a local school district. This work inspired us to commit to having our own “Farm to School” designs. We are working to add to our Farm to School designs and to develop products that support healthy eating habits and educate children about fruits and vegetables.

Over the next few months, we will be adding these products to our on-line web store. We welcome your feedback and input on our efforts. If you have a Farm to School program in your community, please consider getting involved! Your participation is needed and will be greatly appreciated.

For more information and to join the Farm to School network, please visit http://www.farmtoschool.org/.

And here's one of our favorite Farm to School blogs, School Lunch Talk.

In Michigan, please visit and support:

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu
www.fsepmichigan.org
http://fsepmichiganf2s.blogspot.com/

Eat Local Food is introducing a new webstore!

2009-09-14T18:05:00.004-04:00

Eat Local Food is introducing a new webstore! It looks and feels very similar to the current one, but will allow us to introduce new features and products. We are very excited and hope that this new store meets with your approval. If not, please send us your comments at info@eatlocalfood.com and we will work to improve the store. To make sure there is no disruption in your ability to place an on-line order, we will be leaving the old webstore up and running until we are satisfied with the introduction of the new webstore.

Try it today at http://www.eatlocalfoodstore.com/new and receive up to $5.00 off your purchase through the new store.

Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Urban Farm Hosts Harvest Dinner

2009-08-06T21:19:00.012-04:00

Here's a upcoming harvest dinner where you'll enjoy beautifully prepared locally grown food while supporting a great organization. Our friends at The Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Earthworks Urban Farm will be hosting their second annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday, September 12, celebrating working together for food justice.

The event will be held at Gleaners Community Food Bank, a longtime partner, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit.

This year’s event will feature a talk by long-time Detroit activist for sustainable communities and social justice, Grace Lee Boggs. The dinner will be a selection of dishes made from recipes submitted by many of Earthwork’s partners. Organizations such as SEED Wayne, the Greening of Detroit, and the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network shared a favorite in-season recipe for the occasion.

A social hour in the garden will begin at 5 pm with light appetizers and garden tours, weather permitting. The dinner will be sourced entirely of local SE Michigan food and will be prepared by local chefs assisted by Earthworks’ teen farmers (Youth Farm Stand) and local volunteers.

“We hope to gather together with our partners, friends, neighbors, and community members to slow down for a moment, to celebrate our hard work, to reflect, and to fill our bellies for the upcoming winter” says Patrick Crouch, Program Manager for Earthworks.

“True to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s philosophy that one should not have to be privileged to eat well, we are pricing tickets according to ones ability to pay,” Alison Costello, Meldrum Capuchin Soup manager explains. “Tickets will be priced $15-$100.” Attendees are encouraged to sponsor a ticket for $25 for those in our community who otherwise may not be able to attend.

Ticket information is available online at www.cskdetroit.org/earthworks or calling 313-579-2100, ext 204. The reservation deadline is Friday, September 4.

Founded in 1929, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen serves Metro Detroit by providing food, clothing, and spiritual counsel to those in need. Frequently preparing and serving 2,000 meals a day, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen also distributes household items and operates a shower program, food pantry, and children’s tutoring and art therapy program.

For additional information, contact:
Colleen K. Crane, The Capuchin Province of St. Joseph
414.374.8841, ext. 27 (cell) 414.254.2808

Lisa Richter
313-579-2100 ext. 204, earthworks@cskdetroit.org

Breast Milk: It's the first Local Food

2009-07-18T23:18:00.012-04:00

As a new mom, it occurred to me recently that from a baby’s perspective, there is no food more local than breast milk.
Its delivery distance is measured in inches, not miles…..
The manufacturer is a well known and highly trusted source.
It’s fresh, nutritious, flavorful, seasonal and protected from bioterrorism (assuming Mommy eats well) and leaves Mommy and Daddy more money to spend in the local economy.

And it’s green! Here are the ecological benefits of human milk consumption according to the La Leche League USA web site:
• It's a natural, renewable resource and is all the baby needs for the first six months of life.
• It requires no resources for packaging, shipping or disposal.
• No precious energy is wasted producing artificial baby milk and related products.
• No land needs to be deforested for pasture or crop production.
• It does not create pollution from the manufacturing of human milk substitutes, bottles, nipples and cans.

The La Leche League is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, education, information, and encouragement, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

You can read about the health benefits to both mother and child on the La Leche League USA web site.

Here are just a few of the breastfeeding facts listed there:

• Human milk has been shown to kill cancer cells in a laboratory dish and has been used in oncology.

• Mother’s milk has immune properties that can deliver a particular antibody in response to a new germ in the baby’s environment.

• Mother’s milk is uniquely suited to meet her baby’s nutritional needs.

• Breastfeeding decreases the incidence of dental cavities and the need for orthodontistry.

• Up to 50% of the iron in human milk can be absorbed by the infant, as compared to 10% in cow’s milk, and 4% in iron-fortified formulas.

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The more months a women breastfeeds over her lifetime, the greater the protection.

Breastfeeding is local, green and has amazing health benefits for mother and child. Encourage the new moms in your life to breastfeed. It's the best choice for everyone!

2009 Urban Garden Tour is Wednesday, August 5!

2009-07-15T17:23:00.006-04:00

Here's an announcement from the Detroit Agriculture Network regarding their annual Detroit urban garden and farm tour. This is a wonderful event and we encourage you to register early if you are interested in participating. This tour fills up early each year!

Motown to Growtown: Detroit’s New Food System Grows

While foreclosures, unemployment, and rising food and energy prices affect the lives of many Americans, thousands of Detroiters are taking control of their health and the health of their city by building a new food system from the ground up. This new food economy provides more equitable access to fresh, chemical-free food, uses less land, and is more accessible for consumers than conventional models. On Wednesday, August 5th, we invite you to view this new urban food landscape at the 12th Annual Detroit Agriculture Network Tour of Urban Gardens and Farms.

This year’s tour will highlight a selection of prosperous, innovative, and visually stunning gardens and farms that are contributing to the new food system through bio-intensive urban agriculture and commerce between local restaurants and farmer’s markets. The Garden Resource Program Collaborative works to support the emergence of a new, sustainable food system in Detroit through a network of more than 517 backyard gardens, 244 community gardens, and 46 school gardens. The GRPC facilitates resources, education, and training of urban gardeners, farmers, and community leaders through a variety of programming. Last year’s sell-out tour was attended by over 500 people from across the region. In order to accommodate the growing number of participants, this year’s tour will feature four simultaneous routes. The bus tours will visit east-side, west-side, and central city gardens, while the bicycle tour will weave through gardens located in the Cass Corridor, Woodbridge, and Greater Corktown.

All tours will leave from Catherine Ferguson Academy located at 2750 Selden in Detroit. Sign-in begins at 5:00pm and tours will leave at 6:00pm sharp. After the tour, locally-grown food and refreshments prepared by local chefs will provide you with a taste of Detroit’s new food system. Registration is now open and early registration is strongly recommended. You can register by contacting Ashley Atkinson at 313-237-8736 or via email at aatkinso@umich.edu. When registering, please give the name of every person attending the tour. The fee for the tours is a sliding scale of $1 - $20 to offset costs and help grow Detroit’s agricultural movement.

Detroit Agriculture Network’s mission is to promote and foster urban agriculture and the sustainable use and appreciation of urban natural resources. The Detroit Agriculture Network, Earthworks Urban Farm/Capuchin Soup Kitchen, The Greening of Detroit, and Michigan State University Extension work collaboratively to support community, school, and family gardens in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck.

To participate in the Garden Resource Program, learn more about urban gardening programs in the city, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.detroitagriculture.org or contact the Garden Resource Program Collaborative at 313-237-8736.

Capuchin Soup Kitchen hosts Summer Dinner

2009-07-02T13:16:00.004-04:00

Our friends at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit Michigan are hosting a summer dinner on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 PM at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen located at 1264 Meldrum in Detroit Michigan. The dinner will be prepared by Executive Chef Alison Costello, and following the meal, Patrick Crouch will give a tour of the Earth Works Urban Gardens. The cost is $15.00 per person and proceeds will benefit the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Slow Food Detroit. Please RSVP via email to valerie@slowfooddetroit.org. by Friday, July 11. The fee will be collected at the event.

Here’s the menu for this wonderful dinner:

• Gunthorp Farms Roast Loin of Pork with fresh cherry chutney

• Earthworks mixed greens, with hazelnut and cider vinaigrette

• Crushed potatoes with parsley and thyme

• Asian mustard greens

• Peach-phyllo strudel with goat cheese cream

There’s also a job opening at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, but the application deadline is July 10, so if you’re interested, make sure you apply this week! This is an organization that does wonderful work - here's a link to their "2008 Year in Review" so you can read more about Earthworks Urban Farm and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's impact on the local community.

The Capuchin mission is based on service and nurturing of the human spirit. Employees of the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order will exemplify the values of this mission in the performance of their responsibilities. Employees are expected to demonstrate and support the Capuchin mission, vision and values throughout all professional responsibilities and activities by acting at all times towards clients, volunteers, vendors, benefactors and co-workers with hospitality, joyful service and compassion; and to partner with all for empowerment and justice. The Soup Kitchen ministry serves meals at our two soup kitchens, assists with groceries, clothing, and furniture items on an emergency basis at our warehouse services center and provides a men’s residential substance abuse recovery program.

The Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order is an equal opportunity employer. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a ministry within the Province. Neither the Province nor the Capuchin Soup Kitchen will discriminate against any otherwise qualified employee or applicant for employment with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability or other legally protected status.

Position: Earthworks Education Coordinator
(full-time 30-35 hours per week)

Location: Meldrum Kitchen

Position to start: August 8, 2009

Brief Description
The Earthworks Education Coordinator is responsible for ongoing development of the program curriculum, supply acquisition, program preparation and implementation and program assessment. Additionally the Coordinator will be working in the gardens and kitchen with the youth in the program and will supervise one assistant and the volunteers. The Coordinator will also work directly with the Earthworks Program Manager and Outreach Coordinator in joint program implementation.
Skills needed
2 years post secondary education required
Experience and/or advance education in nutrition or child education preferred
Cooking and gardening skills required
Demonstrated excellent communication and planning skills
Excellent driving record
Valid Michigan Chauffer’s license (or willingness to obtain)

Requires operation office equipment: Fax, phone, copy machine, digital camera, Microsoft and excel computer programs.

Requires working in gardens in the weather variances of the State of Michigan (heat and rain in the spring & summer and cold in the winter), exposure to soil, organic soil & plant pest control materials

Job Grade: 13 Beginning Salary Range: $13 - $17 per hour

If you would like additional information before applying, please contact Human Resources at 579-2100, ext. 221. To apply, please submit resumes to Human Resources at 1820 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, MI 48207 no later than July 10, 2009. The hiring process will include an interview and extensive background check for qualified candidates, and any individual hired must complete a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.

Business Opportunities for Farmers in Southeastern Michigan

2009-06-26T09:57:00.005-04:00

We wanted to pass along these items for farmers located in southeastern Michigan – both are excellent opportunties to showcase and promote your local food products! Please note both have mid-July due dates on the application process.

Grant Opportunity for Local Farmers and Food Producers

Farmers, owners of food-related businesses or those aspiring to enter the industry are eligible to apply for grants from the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP). Applicants must produce food as a living (not as a hobby) for local markets in Southeast Michigan and established food co-ops may apply as a group. Grant amounts will range between $500 and $2,000. The deadline for applications is July 13, 2009. Funding for these grants is made possible from the Michigan Regional Skills Alliance (MiRSA) of Michigan's Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG) and will be distributed by FSEP. FSEP is a nonprofit organization that exists to catalyze change in the food system of Southeastern Michigan.

The grant brochure containing the application form and instructions can be found at:

http://fsepmichigan.org/news/Grant_Opportunity

August Select Michigan Farmers Market at Eastern Market, Detroit!

This market will be held Thursday, August 20, 2009 in Shed 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eastern Market. This market has space for 48 vendors who produce and sell Michigan specialty and non-specialty crops. There will be limited space available for prepared foods. For vendor information and application forms, please see contact information below. Vendors interested in reserving space for the market must fully complete an application and biography form, indicating "none" if a question does not apply.

Please mail, fax, or email completed forms by July 10th to:
Erin Groeb
Michigan Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI
Office: 517-373-2469
FAX: 517-335-0628
email: groebe@michigan.gov

Use Twitter to Market your Local Food

2009-06-10T13:48:00.016-04:00

Do you sell your produce at multiple farmers markets? Have customers that wait all year for the first strawberries of the season? An innovative way to let customers know where you are, and what you are selling is via Twitter, a free social networking service that allows you to send text based posts of up to 140 characters. The messages are called "tweets" and those who subscribe to receive your posts are called "followers". You can restrict your tweets to a group of followers, or you can allow open access. The key to a successful marketing message using Twitter is to be friendly, clear and to the point - you only have 140 characters to get your message across!

Example messages would be:

Teresa's Great Garlic is ready!! Expect some in this week's CSA share. Call us if you want to purchase extra garlic 734-123-4567.

We'll be at the Winthrop Farmers Market today from 8:00 a.m. until noon! We have beautiful fresh cut flowers today only!

Today's the last day to register for the Local Food Festival! You can register on-line at (enter web site name).

Once you start using Twitter, you should use it consistently to keep your followers informed, but be careful not to overuse the service - one complaint that users have is that some tweet too frequently about trivial things and undermine the impact of their messages. How will you know if your Tweets are successful? The service lets you monitor how many followers you have - your followers should grow and sales should increase!

Celebrating 15 Years of Organic Farming!

2009-06-10T00:52:00.004-04:00

Michelle and Danny Lutz of Maple Creek Organic Farm are celebrating their 15th year of organic farming with their CSA members. To commemorate their anniversary, Michelle and Danny made a special offer last year-the first 100 members that signed up and paid in full received a special 15th anniversary Maple Creek Farm tote bag.

We are proud to be Maple Creek CSA members and wish Michelle and Danny a Happy Anniversary and a successful growing season!

The Lutz's are not only great farmers, they are excellent marketers. Their delivery truck displays their name, phone number, logo and location. Their on-line tools include a well designed web site that offers current and potential members information about their CSA program, on-line sign-up and payment, photos of the prior season's weekly shares, recipes, forums for members to communicate and share information, and a Maple Creek Farm cookbook to purchase. Michelle writes a blog and the farm is on Facebook, an on-line social network that helps you connect with others. If you are a CSA farmer or direct marketing your produce to customers, you may want to visit www.maplecreekfarm.com and see their successful marketing tools in use!

Phosphorus - the next OPEC?

2009-05-25T10:32:00.004-04:00

Hi,

Just read an interesting article in the June edition of Scientific American. I checked and its available on-line at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=phosphorus-a-looming-crisis. America is a net-importer of phosphorus, and we may be as vulnerable to a monopolization of this commodity as we currently are with oil. So just breaking the chain of foreign oil is not enough, we must make sure we have sustainable access to phosphorus. The author details how increasing the big three: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle will increase our ability to continue to support our growing population.

Bob

Eat Local Food in Palm Springs!

2009-05-02T18:55:00.022-04:00

We are always happy to see our products being used at different markets around the country. A couple of weeks ago, Randall Fogelman, Director of Special Projects for the Eastern Market Corporation visited The Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market. Randall found our Eat Local Food reusable shelf talkers being used in a beautiful vendor display and he graciously took some photos to share with us.

If you find yourself in that area, The Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning from 8am - 12:30pm from May through October. It's location is adjacent to the Camelot Theatres, 2300 Baristo Rd. in Palm Springs. Featuring fresh produce grown by more than 20 local farmers, the market also offers cheese, bread, fresh cut flowers, nuts, and California-grown olive oil.

Support the Farmers Markets and Local Farmers in your community!

Why do I Need a Web Site or On-Line Store?

2009-04-23T09:06:00.008-04:00

Web sites are cost-effective calling cards on potential and existing customers. Here are some reasons why you may need a web site for your local food business:

1) You can’t be in two places at one time - you will tap into new markets that don't require your physical presence.
At Eat Local Food, we use our web site and on-line store to stay in touch with existing customers and to reach potential new customers in other areas where we can’t physically be. We recently received an order for tote bags from Fairbanks, Alaska!
As a grower or food entrepreneur, you are busy growing or making your product, selling at farmers markets, presenting in-store demos, or delivering produce to your CSA customers. While are you busy working, your web site represents you and your business. It’s a way to let potential customers learn about you, your business, your product and your values without you having to physically be there!

2) A web site offers a way to stay in touch with existing customers and let them know you're still here!
As a grower or food entrepreneur, you may sell your products on a seasonal basis. Or your business location may also be your home, not an established retail location. Your customers may not be seeing you on a regular basis. A web site offers you a way to stay in touch with your customers. You can write newsletters, a weekly blog, showcase new growing techniques, explain your business and even sell products on-line. An added bonus is that you can update your web site or write your newsletter during the time of day that best suits your schedule.

3) Presenting a good impression as an established business adds to your authenticity.
In today’s competitive economy, a web site presents a professional image for your business. It says that you are an established business owner with existing customers and products that are in demand. It’s important that your web site represent you and your business well – a poorly put together web site may not present the image you desire and can have a negative effect on sales.

4) With proper presentation and promotion, your web store will make sales for you.
Making a sale through your on-line store is like a gift. In most cases, you haven’t even met the customer – they just found you on the internet and liked what you had to offer. However, having a web site on the internet is not enough. You will need to draw customers to your site through on-going, active promotion. Search engines such as Google and Yahoo offer the small business owner tools to help attract customers to your site. E-newsletters, blogs and free internet listings are all proven marketing techniques to help increase sales. Popular web sites that offer internet listings free or for a small donation include www.localharvest.org, www.eatwellguide.org, and www.greenpeople.com.

Food System Economic Partnership 2009 Conference

2009-04-23T09:02:00.006-04:00

Interested in learning more about the food system in southeastern Michigan?

The Food System Economic Partnership of Southeast Michigan is sponsoring their fourth annual conference on Thursday, June 18, 2009. The conference will be held at the LISD-Lenawee County Vocational Technical Center located at 1372 North Main Street (M-52) Adrian, MI 49221.

Kamyar Enshayan will be the keynote speaker on the topic, “Strengthening the Local Food Economy”. Kamyar Enshayan has worked in Northern Iowa to make locally grown foods more visible and available by connecting institutional food buyers to nearby farmers and processors. In 2007, 26 Northern Iowa grocers, restaurants, and institutions purchased $2.2 million from local food and farm businesses. Enshayan has been on the Cedar Falls City Council since 2003 and is the director of University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy & Environmental Education.

The conference breakout sessions include a wide range of informative, current topics. Here is a sample of the sessions offered:
Incorporating Local Food in Business Operations
How to Sell Produce Direct to Schools
Small-Scale Organic Vegetable Production
Detroit Food Policy Council
Michigan Farm Market Association Update

On-line registration and conference location directions are available at http://www.fsepconference.org/. Early registration is open until June 1, 2009 and the cost is $40. The cost includes materials, attendance at sessions, and a seasonal local food lunch.

If you would like additional information regarding registration, sponsorship, and/or exhibiting please contact Jennifer Fike at 734-222-6859 or fikej@ewashtenaw.org.

Michigan Junior Iron Chef

2009-04-10T10:48:00.005-04:00

Here’s an exciting local food cooking challenge for Michigan High School students from our friends at the Michigan Nutrition Network of Michigan State University Extension and the C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University:

Dear Michigan High School Student, School Employee, or Community Member:

We are excited to invite high school students to join the first Michigan Junior Iron Chef Competition! This competition gives students hands-on cooking experience and teaches them about local foods and healthy food choices. It starts with a recipe contest (entries due May 8th, 2009) and ends with a cook-off competition on September 19th, 2009. Michigan Junior Iron Chef is sponsored by the Michigan Nutrition Network – Michigan State University Extension and the C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University.

Here’s how it works:
Part 1. We challenge teams of 3-4 high school students to work with an adult coach to make one tasty, healthy school lunch meal featuring Michigan-grown and commodity foods. A list of these foods along with rules for participating are available on the Michigan Junior Iron Chef website listed below. Recipes should be easy and practical for school food service to use and meet nutrition guidelines for school lunch. (See rules on the website for more details.) To enter, teams submit an application and recipe for their meal by May 8th, 2009. Recipes will be judged by creativity, use of local foods, nutritional quality, and practical use for school food service. Winning recipes will be shared with schools throughout the state in a Michigan Junior Iron Chef Cookbook. To participate, student teams must be from Michigan schools which have at least 50% free and reduced-price meal participation. We ask that teams that enter the recipe contest be made up of 9th-11th graders so they may cook as a team at the competition in the fall of 2009.

Part 2: Teams that win the recipe contest will prepare and cook their meals on-site at the Michigan Junior Iron Chef Competition on September 19th, 2009. Teams will also create a nutrition education and marketing packet to present with their meals at the cook-off. Meals will be judged by an expert panel on taste, presentation, creativity, use of local foods, nutritional quality, and practical use for school food service. Prizes will be awarded to three winning teams for Best in Show (best overall), Best Use of Local Foods, and Best Nutrition Education and Marketing Packet. Prizes for the first place team, Best in Show, will be worth up to $150 per student team member and will include an award of $500 to the food service program of the team’s school! Reimbursements for travel for one vehicle per team and up to $100 for ingredients for practicing recipes will also be provided to teams that compete in the cook-off.

The event will also include a cooking demonstration and a healthy lunch along with tours of some of Michigan State University’s farming and food production facilities. Local farmers who provide ingredients for the event will also be invited to attend.

Spread the word! Help us recruit creative student teams for this exciting event! For more details and resources, go to our website at www.mnn.fcs.msue.msu.edu. Thanks for your help in promoting healthy eating habits and celebrating Michigan foods!

Sincerely,

Michigan Junior Iron Chef Planning Team
Michigan Nutrition Network, MSU Extension
2100 Anthony Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
mnn@anr.msu.edu
www.mnn.fcs.msue.msu.edu

William Rainier Rozelle

2009-03-27T08:01:00.003-04:00

Hi,

We might be a little distracted for a while. Joan delivered our son last night. A healthy 8 lb 3 oz bundle of joy. We both are over the moon, as this is our first child. Of course, he'll be eating very locally for at least the next 6 months ;-)

Regards,
Bob

American Premium Blends launches On-line Store!

2009-03-18T16:04:00.010-04:00

Eat Local Food is pleased to announce the successful launch of a new web site, on-line store and blog for customer American Premium Blends, a Michigan-based company that produces high-quality fruit juice concentrates.

With products that have no added sugars, colors, flavors or preservatives, American Premium Blend’s mission is to develop all natural healthy living drinks that will empower their customers to achieve and maintain a healthy life style. Prior to the launch of their on-line store, American Premium Blends products were available at stores, restaurants and farmers markets located all over Michigan. When visiting Michigan, out-of-state visitors frequently asked the owners of the company how to purchase their products elsewhere. The new on-line store not only gives American Premium Blends access to out-of-state customers, but provides existing customers with an easy ordering mechanism to try new products, place re-orders, and send healthy gifts to friends and family.

The American Premium Blends blog allows the company to stay in touch with existing customers by announcing weekend free tasting events, farmers market locations and product news. Visit their new blog to stay tuned with current company happenings!

Eat Local Food is dedicated to providing graphic and art design, merchandise and services to assist food producers, farmers, food retailers and local restaurateurs promote their local food businesses. In 2008, we added web site design, development, deployment and maintenance to our service offerings. Our service includes a free initial consultation, proposal and quote developed specifically for you and your business needs. We do not use cookie-cutter templates – we believe your web site should represent you, your values and your business. Here’s some information about what we offer, please visit “service offerings” in our on-line store at www.eatlocalfoodstore.com to learn more.

Website: Eat Local Food will design your website using provided photographs and logos. A maximum of 7 pages are included in the standard price. Website design will be for development using the Open Source product MODx Content Management System (http://www.modxcms.com). This product is licensed under the Gnu General Public License.

Option 1: Small Webstore: Eat Local Food will design a small webstore within the website using provided photographs and logos. A maximum of 10 initial products are included in the standard price. Webstore design will be for development using the Treasure Chest (http://www.treasurechestcart.com) extension to MODX which integrates with PayPal. This product is licensed under the Gnu General Public License.

Option 2: Large Webstore: Eat Local Food will design your webstore using provided photographs and logos. A maximum of 20 initial products are included in the standard price. Webstore design will be for development using the Open Source product osCommerce (http://www.oscommerce.com). This product is also licensed under the Gnu General Public License.

Optional Blog: Eat Local Food will design your blog using provided photographs and logos. Design will be for deployment using Blogger (http://www.blogger.com).

Made in Michigan? Here's an Opportunity to Showcase your Product

2009-03-04T08:07:00.004-05:00

Looking to showcase your food or agriculture product to thousands of motivated buyers? The Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Select Michigan Program is seeking Michigan food and agriculture companies to showcase their products in a special Select Michigan Pavilion at the 2009 Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers, Inc. (AFPD) Annual Trade Show being held April 27-28, 2009 at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.

The AFPD Annual Trade Show is a selling trade show attracting buyers from supermarkets, specialty stores, restaurants, drug stores, bars, convenience stores, and service stations featuring two days with 10 hours of uninterrupted selling.

MDA’s Select Michigan Program is offering exhibit space within the pavilion to Michigan food processors, specialty food companies, and other food and agriculture businesses at a substantially discounted rate. Discounts of up 70% are available. The deadline for reserving booth space is Monday, March 16th.

Never exhibited before? Don't worry, the Select Michigan staff will coach you through the process. So, if you have questions or need more information, contact Christine Lietzau, Select Michigan Program Manager, MDA at 517-373-9800 or lietzauc@michigan.gov.

Creativity with Local Food can Spark Your Child’s Appetite

2009-03-02T17:21:00.008-05:00

“I can’t” said the ant was a book that I loved as a child, so to celebrate the upcoming birth of our baby, my sister bought me a vintage copy as a present. “I can’t” said the ant was written by Polly Cameron, and was first published by Scholastic Books in 1961. Although it’s no longer in print, it’s a timeless children’s story about a group of caring and encouraging kitchen-based characters working together to save their broken teapot friend. It’s not only a great lesson in how teamwork and perseverance prevail, but it’s a wonderful way to teach your child about food and rhyming. Here’s an excerpt:
"What's all the clatter?" said the platter. "Teapot fell," said the dinner bell. "Pick her up," said the cup. "I can't," said the ant. "Please try," said the pie. "You must," said the crust. The rhymes will stick with you – my parents still say ““what a relief,” said the beef” after a stressful moment has ended.

Another creative food idea was presented in an article I read today on www.LiveScience.com about kids preferring vegetables with “cool names”. In a new study, 186 four-year-olds were given regular carrots and, on other lunch days, they were given the same vegetables renamed X-ray Vision Carrots. On the days they were served X-ray Vision Carrots, the kids ate nearly twice as many carrots, and perhaps more importantly, the higher rate of carrot consumption continued even after they were no longer labeled with a creative name.

Researcher Collin Payne states, "Whatever sparks their imagination seems to spark their appetite." Here’s the link to the article:
http://www.livescience.com/health/090302-kids-veggies.html

One more creative way to teach your children to make a connection with their food is through gardening. Two things children love is to play in the dirt and to be active. Letting them plant, care for and harvest their own little garden accomplishes both. The underlying benefit to parents is that they are learning. Children will experience a sense of pride and enjoyment when growing and cultivating their own fruits, vegetables and flowers. They also tend to be more willing to taste produce they grew on their own, leading to healthy eating and less risk of obesity. Here’s a great organization that even provide a free “Parent’s Primer” with guidance on how to make the most of your family garden: http://www.kidsgardening.org/family.asp. There are 10 chapters with topics such as how to start on paper, get ideas, choose what to plant, and building a small garden.

So instead of hiding your child’s vegetables in purees and under batter, try some activities like gardening, creative naming and rhyming with fruits and vegetables. Who says you can’t have fun with your food? Your children will be more likely to enjoy their food now and to develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Pictures of In-Stock Market Tote Bags available in the on-line store

2009-02-27T09:57:00.005-05:00

We've added pictures of the in-stock market tote bags to the on-line store. Check them out at http://www.eatlocalfoodstore.com/index.php?cPath=15_66.

We offer free shipping on our in-stock market tote bags!

Farm to School Workshop for Growers

2009-02-17T19:41:00.009-05:00

The Farm to School movement is not only gaining popularity in Michigan, programs are cropping up all over the country. It provides an excellent opportunity for farmers to diversify their business and a way for school food service directors to connect with area farms. School lunches have become a lot more promising with the Farm to School movement, much better than the cheese pizza and tater tot lunches we had when I was in school. With a Farm to School program in place, students have access to healthy fresh foods like kale chips, broccoli raisin salad and pumpkin nut bread.

On January 22 I had the pleasure of attending the highly informative Workshop for Growers: How to Sell Produce Direct to Schools, sponsored by the Food System Economic Partnership. FSEP works collaboratively to bring together school officials, food service directors, contracted food service providers, parents, distributors, processors, and producers to establish creative mutually beneficial relationships that result in locally produced and processed food being consumed by students in our schools.

Hosted by Michaelle Rehmann, FSEP’s Farm to School Program Director, and Colleen Matts, the Farm to School Outreach Specialist with the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University, the workshop was held in Detroit Michigan and drew 37 attendees; half of them local growers. Michaelle and Colleen have a pleasant, interactive presentation style and there was ample time for questions and comments from the participants. Informative guest speakers included Jeanne Hausler, Agricultural Tourism & Outreach Manager, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Colleen Bess, Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Topics included:
School Lunch Funding and How it Affects Produce Purchasing
The Advantage of Local Produce
How to Add Value to Your Produce
Food Safety and the Role it plays in School Lunch
Marketing Your Farm to the School

If you live in the Southeast Michigan area, the workshop is being offered again on Tuesday, February 24 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Monroe County MSU Extension office at 963 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI. If you are interested in learning how sell produce to the schools in your community, I highly recommend you attend the workshop. The workshop is free but space is limited, so RSVP by Friday, February 20th. Please contact Michaelle Rehmann at (734) 222.3817 or by e-mail at:

rehmannm@ewashtenaw.org.

If you live in another area or cannot attend the workshop, you are in luck! The presentation, workshop materials and Farm to School toolkit are available for download on the FSEP website:

Presentation:
http://fsepmichigan.org/programs_projects/schools/Grower_Workshop_Presentation
Workshop Materials:
http://fsepmichigan.org/programs_projects/schools/Grower_Workshop_Materials
Tool Kit:
http://fsepmichigan.org/programs_projects/schools/Tool%20Kit

What's your Local Food Marketing Plan?

2009-02-13T15:31:00.005-05:00

Has anyone ever asked you what your marketing plan is? What was your answer? If you have one, that's great - we hope it's a very successful plan for your business. If your jaw dropped and you hesitantly uttered, “aaaaaaa.......” you may want to start planning now before the growing season is in full swing. Here’s how to use that uncertain answer to your advantage as we present the 9 A’s of a successful marketing plan:

Your Marketing Plan defines your customer, the products or services they want, and the most effective promotion and advertising strategies to reach your customer. The first step is to break down the elements of a marketing plan:

Marketing situation:
This is all about you - who you are, what is your farm/business about? This is really the key ingredient to a successful marketing plan. Your marketing is very personal to you and to your business - it should speak to who you are and what your business is all about. You entire plan will evolve from what you are about, what you value, and what you want for your family and your business.

Marketing objectives:
Aim for your goals. What are your goals? Are they to increase sales by 10%, diversify your customer base, or increase your distribution area? Defining your goals helps you to determine where and how to expend your energy.

Marketing strategies:
Audience: This step involves identifying your customers. Who are they and where are they located?
Authenticity: Make sure your product and your messages are authentic to who you are and what you are selling. Be honest with your customers.
Once you’ve identified your audience, your product and your message, you will be able to determine the best strategies to reach your customer base.

Strategies include: designing and printing a business card, brochure, well written sales letter, launching a web site, offering e-mail sign up, developing a mailing list of customers, offering discounts to repeat customers, establishing affiliate programs with other businesses (referring each other), advertising in print media and on-line, posting free business listings in others web sites such as LocalHarvest.org or GreenPeople.org, offering public speaking engagements, networking and joining business and civic organizations, sponsoring local food events, or hosting local food conferences and events.

Marketing budget:
After you pick your strategies, add it all up! How much do you want to spend, and how much are you spending? Does the amount of sales you will make from employing a particular strategy justify the expenditure? Remember your time equals money, too – consider assigning an hourly rate to your time to evaluate total cost. Can you afford your strategies? You may have to pick a few to start.

Action Plan:
Advocate: Be an advocate for your product, know all about it and pass along that information. You know why your product is the best on the market, but let others know about it, too!
Act: On your plans by getting your logo, business card, brochures, etc.
Ask: ask existing customers for feedback and referrals

Evaluation: Analyze your results in terms of your expenditures to see how successful your marketing plan has been. This step involves looking back at each element of your marketing plan. Do you need to change your strategies, your budget or your actions? Make sure you give your plan time to work – evaluating and making changes too often can cause confusion for your customers. Your plan may have been fine but you didn’t give it a chance to work.

Good luck with your marketing in 2009! If you have a great strategy you'd like to share with others, please contact us at info@eatlocalfood.com. We'll include your marketing idea in our next newsletter!

Save the Date for upcoming Michigan Local Food Conferences!

2009-02-05T13:46:00.004-05:00

FSEP: Food System Economic Partnership of Southeastern Michigan

FSEP exists to catalyze change in the food system of Southeastern Michigan. This non-profit organization provides research, education and outreach with urban and rural partnerships, resulting in agricultural development opportunities, sustainable communities, and healthy local economies. FSEP is building a better food system in southeastern Michigan.
Save the date! Please mark your calendar to join FSEP for its fourth annual conference to be held Thursday, June 18, 2009. The conference will be held at the Lenawee County Vocational Technical Center located at 1372 North Main Street in Adrian, MI 49221. If you would like additional information regarding registration, sponsorship, and/or exhibiting please contact Jennifer Fike at 734-222-6859.

MOFFA: Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance

MOFFA is a non-profit organization with members that include organic and other farmers, food coops, educators, environmentalists, food businesses, food and farm activists and concerned citizens throughout Michigan and elsewhere. Their mission is to promote the development of food systems that rely on organic methods of food production and that revitalize and sustain local communities
Save the date! The 2009 MOFFA conference is to be held the evening of Friday, March 6 and all day Saturday, March 7. This year’s theme is Local Organic Food: Sustainable Prosperity for Michigan. The conference will be held at The Kellogg Center on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing Michigan. MOFFA is offering an easy on-line registration form at

http://www.moffa.org/2009_options.html. You can register to attend, advertise, or exhibit at the conference.

MIFMA: Michigan Farmers Market Association

The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) is a statewide association of farmers markets, their participants and their friends. Its mission is to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products.
Save the date! MIFMA is offering workshops and their annual meeting and dinner March 9 – March 10. Please visit

http://www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu for registration information.

Using the Internet to Increase Awareness and Interest in Your Farm or Farmers Market" Workshop on Monday, March 9 from 1-4:30 p.m.

MIFMA Annual Meeting and Celebration Dinner on Monday, March 9 from 6-9:00 p.m.

Farmers Market Manager "Boot Camp" II on Tuesday, March 10 from 9-4:00 p.m.

Choices: Register now for the 2009 Conference!

2009-02-05T12:47:00.005-05:00

Registration is now open for Choices: the Conference that Celebrates Food, Health & Collaboration!

The theme for this year's conference is —The Fight over Food: a Dinner Table Divided. The two day conference will be held March 11 and 12 in the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University. Of special interest to local foodies will be the meals prepared by the award-winning Kellogg Center staff, showcasing many Michigan products. Menus at each meal will be available on Eat Local Food's fine art postcards, with artwork by Chris Witkowski. We also plan to exhibit at the conference, so we hope to see you there!

The conference will feature a variety of breakout learning sessions and dynamic speakers, including:

Wynne Wright, co-editor of The Fight over Food: Producers, Consumers and Activists Challenge the Global Food System

Anthony Geraci, director of Food and Nutrition for the Baltimore City Public Schools

Cynthia D’Amour, author of the Lazy Leader’s Guide to Outrageous Results

Joseph Durochowski, executive director for the NPD Group, Food & Beverage Services

Joanne Ikeda, founder of the Center on Weight and Health, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley

Many sessions qualify for CEUs for educators, healthcare professionals, nutritionists or dietitians.

Early bird full conference registration is $175 and ends February 27. One lucky early bird registrant will receive a one-hour phone consultation with Cynthia D’Amour. MSU and MNN registrants may use an MSU account or MNN subaccount number for conference payment.

Go to http://web7.anr.msu.edu/choices/ for more conference information. The site has been updated with information about each session.

Click here to register today! (http://web7.anr.msu.edu/choices/Registration.aspx)