Champaign, OH:  Christmas Is All Around

I feel it in my fingers,
I feel it in my toes,
Christmas is all around me,
and so the feeling grows
It’s written in the wind,
It’s everywhere I go…
(Christmas Is All Around from my favorite Christmas movie, Love, Actually)

Good morning, lovely customers of our little local market of love!

Last night found me in Columbus in the midst of all the other Christmas shoppers. I have spent my month, shopping small, in small towns, and last night I had to hit the bigger town, with bigger shops, to mark a few desires off the Christmas list that has been mocking me in my bag of tricks.

I was not sure how it would end. Would it be a mania of me not finding anything left? Pushy people with bad attitude? Overly heated stores with people in my personal space? Who knew how things would go…but I was about to find out.

To make sure I started in a good mood, I picked a cute vintage outfit complete with a little vintage white hat that I like to call myself the ice princess when I wear it. I picked a Rolling Stones heavy playlist for the drive. Their early, early, less commercial stuff. The B sides of more popular songs. And, a coffee to go. I was on my way.

It was cold but I chose an outside venue for shopping because I like the thrill of the cold, the lights, the music that was tinkling in and out of each store. I was bundled and ready.

And guess what…it was just what I needed. The people were all happy!! Shoppers and store workers were amazing! I ran into an old friend and we chatted and laughed. Each store was more helpful than the last. The items I needed for my list were all there, and some even on way the heck great sales! People kept stopping me to ask about my outfit! (Okay, not going to lie, this always floats my boat) And, when I went to get more coffee, the employee told me that he was paying for it because I looked like Christmas…what?? (Not going to lie, again, I could get used to that)

Anyway…on the drive home, I reflected on the day, and with each pass through the store doors, with each light, with each Christmas song, with each person passing me with a smile, a hello, and watching the fun groups going into some of the pubs, I was, once again, filled with happiness that Christmas really is all around us.

And, while it happened when I was shopping was not the point. It was the attitude and feeling that was taking place. A kindness, a love, even a gentle ebb and flow of hope…

So, while I am all about keeping it small, keeping it local, keeping it at our market, it was good for me to be out and about in the sea of Christmas shoppers, to know that there is love, everywhere…

Especially at this little market…

So, while you are out and about in your Christmas haze of shopping, merry making, cooking baking, cocktail drinking, present wrapping, carol singing…think about us, think about last minute local gifts, think about shopping us for your holiday weekend needs…

Christmas is all around…

XOXO,
Cosmic Pam

Champaign, OH:  Holiday Soap Tales

Hello all!
Can you believe Christmas is only a couple more days away?! I am not even close to being ready yet! And I have a pretty good feeling I’m not the only one….surely some of you have last minute gifts to pick up. Well, this week on the market you can get our soap gift sets for $13.00 (reg. $15). Sometimes procrastination pays off! These sets are perfect for just about anyone…teachers, co-workers, uncles (yes, men love it too! It’s great to use for shaving with!), aunts, grandparents, friends, mail carriers…the list is endless!
Holiday set includes: Frankincense & Myrrh, Holiday Spice, O Christmas Tree, Peppermint, and Sweet Orange Clove
Fabulous 5 set includes: Tea Tree Lavender, Lemongrass, Pink Grapefruit, Peppermint, and Sweet Orange Clove
 
Order away!!!
Christmas Blessings,
Laura (ELM Tree Essentials Soap)

Fresh Harvest, LLC:  Fresh Harvest Order Reminder! Last Chance Before the New Year!

Market News

Hello!

Happy Monday, Friends!

Now is the time to stock up for the Holidays! Take advantage of all the wonderful items we have available to get you through the next few weeks. There are still good veggies available – carrots and lettuces, good Asian greens for stir fries, lots of sweet potatoes and varieties of winter squashes….

There is also an amazing selection of cheeses this week, meats on Special, and good treats for giving from Dozen Bakery.

You have until Tuesday night to place your order. And if we don’t get to see you on Wednesday, please have a happy holiday season!

Thank you so much for all your support!
See you Wednesday!
John and Tallahassee

Coming Events

Yalaha, FL:  Order for Christmas Produce

Order now through Dec 22 for Dec 23 or 24 pickup.

Let me know if you are interested in Shiitake Mushrooms. They should be listed soon but if you let me know, I may be able to fill orders even before the new farm gets

Sign in to order. https://yalaha.locallygrown.net/market

You have to sign in to see the add to cart button. Then click the add to cart button on the items you want to buy. Remember you need to check out before your order will be placed.
Remember to let me know when you want to pick up on Sat. (If I don’t send you an e-mail confirmation of your order and pick up time, please make sure you checked out and completed your order.)

Siloam Springs, AR:  Merry Christmas!

Princeton Farm Fresh:  The Market is Open

This is the last week of the Market of the year. If you need to order for the following weeks, please do so by Wednesday. We will open up on January 9th again. This two week break allows me to close down all the market activities, get all filing done, and get ready to file taxes for the market.
As this year draws to a close, I want to say a big Thank You to our customers, who support our farmers week in week out. Our farmers get 90% of everything they sell, and by having a market manager, who helps the customers, they are able to get back to their farms and get to producing more awesome veggies, meats, baked goods and etc… for you.
Your support keeps these small farms going year round. The only market that does this in our area. I thank you, and your farmers thank you for the support.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you on Thursday,
Angela

Green Fork Farmers Market:  Weekly product list

Dear Green Fork Farmers Market Customers,

New this week: Foundation Farm has cilantro, kale and spaghetti squash available.

Give the gift of natural, locally grown and handmade products this season!

PATRIA Handmades has soy candles made with all natural ingredients. (Great for gifts and for you too!) The essential oils used to scent these candles are incredible—they smell heavenly. You can check them out at the market. Also available unscented.

Figgieville still has their amazing holiday apple walnut Kolache available for a limited time during the holidays.

Green Fork Farmers Market gift certificates are available to make your holiday gift giving easy for you and special for your friends and family!

Stock up this week for all your holiday meals, parties, and gifts—here’s what’s available:

Green Fork Farmers Market Gift Certificates

Vegetables—Tomatoes, celery, kale, carrots, leeks, swiss chard, collard greens, bok choy, lettuce, garlic, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes.

Herbs—Rosemary, garlic, cilantro, and turmeric.

Honey—Local and delicious!

Meat—Pastured beef, lamb, and goat.

Fermented foods—Okra and jalapenos.

Salsa—Made with locally grown and organic ingredients.

Crafts—Natural, handmade soy candles (no toxic chemicals!)

Place your order now, then pick up and pay on Wednesday from 4-7 pm at Nightbird Books in Fayetteville.

We look forward to seeing you!

Green Fork Farmers Market
Wednesdays 4-7 pm
Indoors, Year Round
Inside Nightbird Books
205 W. Dickson St.
Fayetteville, AR

To place your order, click on the link below to enter the website. Sign in as a customer, then click on the icon next to each product you wish to order. Proceed to checkout, review the list to make sure it’s correct, then scroll to the bottom and click on Place This Order. Make sure you receive a confirmation email—-if you don’t, your order was not processed. Payment is at the market pickup with cash, check, debit/credit card, EBT, and Senior FMNP coupons. Ask about our doubling program for EBT and SFMNP!

Heirloom Living Market Lilburn:  Milk orders in by Noon - All other orders by 8:00pm close!

The Market closes at 8:00pm!

The Coordinators, Kathy and Keb Barnes, Bethe Munn, Sarah Rockey and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! We hope that you will enjoy your time with family and friends, rejoice in the Spirit of the celebration of Our Lord’s birth and find peace in the joy of the season. Recognizing that not all celebrate this blessed holiday, we wish everyone happiness and joy! Blessings to all for a Happy New Year!

Heirloom Living Market Lawrenceville :  PLEASE READ!! Milk orders in by Noon - All other orders by 8:00pm close!

The Market closes at 8:00pm!

The Coordinators, Kathy and Keb Barnes, Bethe Munn, Sarah Rockey and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! We hope that you will enjoy your time with family and friends, rejoice in the Spirit of the celebration of Our Lord’s birth and find peace in the joy of the season. Recognizing that not all celebrate this blessed holiday, we wish everyone happiness and joy! Blessings to all for a Happy New Year!

Market Opens for Ordering: Friday at 9:00am
Market Closes: Monday at 8:00pm
Market Pickup: Thursday
2:30pm – 5:30pm
Pickup Location: 1385 Winder Highway
Dacula, GA 30019
Click Here for Map

Russellville Community Market:  RCM Improvement Survey: Response Summary

RCM Friends,

Recently we sent out a link to a survey on Facebook and through the RCM email system, requesting your feedback about how to improve RCM for the future. We greatly appreciate your feedback, and want to say a big “Thank you.” to all who took the time to give us your feedback.

The summary of answers is below. As promised, no individual answers will be shared.

1) What do you most often buy on RCM?
a. 33.3% responded “Vegetables”
b. 26.4% responded “Meat”
c. 13.3% responded “Baked Goods”
d. 13.3% responded “Eggs”
e. 13.3% responded “Other”

2) How do you feel about the prices of RCM products?
a. 53.3% responded “The prices are fair.”
b. 13.3% responded “The prices are too high.”
c. 33.3% responded “Other.” This meant that respondents usually felt like some prices were too high while others were fair.

3) Are the ordering times a convenient option?
a. 80% responded “Yes.”
b. 6.7% responded “No.”
c. 13.3% responded “Other.”

4) Is the current pick-up location a convenient option?
a. 86.7% responded “Yes.”
b. 6.7% responded “No.”
c. 6.7% responded “Other.”

5) Is the pick-up time a convenient option?
a. 93.3% responded “Yes.”
b. 6.7% responded “No.”

6) Do you face any barriers to ordering from RCM?
a. 46.7% responded “I sometimes forget to order.”
b. 33.3% responded “Other”
c. 13.3% responded “I do not understand how to use the website.”
d. 6.7% responded “The current email reminders are not sufficient for reminding me to order.”

7) How would you like to be reminded about ordering from RCM?
a. 46.7% responded “Email reminders.”
b. 26.7% responded “Facebook reminders.”
c. 20% responded “Text message reminders.”
d. 6.7% responded “Other.”

As questions #8, #9, and #10 were open ended, we will not be sharing individual answers, but instead will summarize some of the more frequent responses.
8) How can RCM improve its offerings to the community?
a. Problems with orders not being filled
b. Improved product choices

9) What would keep you as a regular customer of RCM?
a. More product choices
b. Venue change

10) What other improvements would you like to see RCM make?
a. Ensure that farmers deliver what has been ordered.
b. More product choices

We would like to offer some responses to the concerns we heard in your feedback:

A) Inherent within farming and farmers’ markets is the idea of unpredictability. What this means in practice is that it is nearly impossible for a farmer to predict growing patterns, weather patterns, and life circumstances. Unfortunately, this can cause some orders, or even parts of some orders, to be unavailable for pick-up. We do know that our farmers make every effort to deliver what has been ordered, and want their customers to have high quality products.

B) RCM accepts many different forms of payment for orders. This includes: cash, check, SNAP/EBT, credit and debit card options.

C) You, as customers, are our greatest asset for spreading the word about RCM. We have tried many avenues of advertising, with little success. However, our word of mouth advertising has been successful.

Thank you again to those who participated. Your feedback will give the RCM board of directors some ideas to consider as we discuss the future of RCM.