What an interesting week we've had around the Sound. The Council gave WalMart a polite but firm "no thank you" to their expansion plans and the Sun Times invited everyone to share their vision of the city.
Is it just me, or are these hopeful signs?
My apologies to all those who came to shop on Saturday and were shut out of the street when it was closed for a Legion parade. My particular apologies to the woman who'd waited so patiently for the amazing cinnamon buns she'd heard about, only to leave empty-handed when our baker was stuck "behind the barricades". Please come back - a package of cinnamon buns will be waiting for you with my compliments. The city has promised they will find a way to assure advance notice of these things in future, and I will give everyone the heads up.
All the more reason to shop Thursday, of course, besides the best choice of vegetables and pies and Winston's fresh fish.
Speaking of vegetables, with any luck we will have living Boston lettuce and/or arugula this week, as well as some organic carrots from the Saugeen River CSA right close to home and creme de lite carrots from Pfennigs Organics. Local organic garlic is still here.
We have added some Millbank cheeses - cheddar and Gouda - to our selection, along with the delicious local pecarino and feta (sheep) and chevre (goat).
Life conspired against some of the meat pies this week, but Brenda brought chicken noodle, lamb dizi and beef barley soups AND some lamb shanks for the first lucky customers. Bill Twaddle said a Meaford chef shared his lamb shanks recipe - a bottle of Guinness and five hours at 200 degrees. That leaves five bottles in the six pack to entertain your friends while you wait.
Robin from Rocky Raccoon supplied me well with samosas, so there will be plenty for everyone, and as an added surprise he brought hand stretched naan bread - frozen in packages of eight.
A few other new products grace our shelves. Fair trade organic teas, green and breakfast blend, and spices - ginger slices, cinnamon and black pepper. Cherry, grape and tomato juices at new prices. And Ontario-made granola bars.
We've added some non-foods too. A Canadian dish soap - Bio-Green. Small Farm magazine. This month they have great tips on growing tomatoes and an article I hope someone will find inspiring on running a local food distribution business (we need one!).
Test out Angela's natural herbal skin healing salves - Nature's Gold - locally made with organic herbs and no chemicals.
And don't forget to look at our poster walls - concerts (The Nylons' only local show this year), courses, cooking classes - someone has a farmhouse for rent and someone else is looking for a WWOOFer - Willing Worker On an Organic Farm. Bring in your own notices.
Last but not least,thank you to the Prentices from WinMar for the shopping bags. After I admired her bag one day when she was shopping, Jacinda sent in a whole box for our customers to share. Another reason to shop early this week - there are still 25 left.
I'll be closing at 6:30 this Thursday and the next two to take a bookkeeping course, but otherwise Around the Sound Local Food Market is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 until 7 and Saturday 10 until 4.
972 1st Avenue West, Owen Sound
519-416-3663
aroundthesoundfood.com
See you there!
Anne