One of the few things missing from the new store (besides the heat of course, but we're kind of getting used to that) is a mail box. Our lovely letter carrier kindly saves our mail for the days when we're open and we happily offer her whatever we're sampling, but the post office really wants us to get a mailbox. So we bought a rural post box, complete with the red flag, and as soon as we can find someone with a post and a drill, we're going to put it out front. It will give me the proper attachment for my National Farmers Union sign.
The National Farmers Union, Grey County, gave me practical and moral support in starting Around the Sound. I became a member because the NFU shares my vision "to encourage vibrant rural communities, environmentally sustainable practices and the production of safe, wholesome food."
They support family farms because, in their words, "The family farm is the cornerstone of the system that provides safe, nutritious food to Canadians. City people, as well as farmers, have a stake in it. The National Farmers Union is unique among farm organization in working for people's interests against corporate control of our food system."
You can read more on their website www.nfuontario.ca and watch for their local "Farm Dinner" in early April.
Forsyth Farms is one of the family farms who supply us - with beautiful cuts of lamb, Berkshire pork sausages, homemade stock and soup, chicken and meat pies in family size and individual pods.
Axel Meister of Wooldrift Farms is also an NFU member. The first farmer in North America to commercially milk sheep, Axel has a hard time keeping up with demand for his products at Around the Sound. He brings us yogurt, feta - plain and in olive oil and herbs, pecorino cheese both plain and peppercorn, cream cheese and raw milk cheese.
This week we'll be getting local carrots - fresh dug from under the snow in Chatsworth area. So sweet! Apples are still in good supply from Soundview Orchards and we still have some local garlic and shallots. The rest of our produce is from Ontario - potatoes, beets, sweet potatoes, cabbage and parsnips from storage and greenhouse cucumbers. We'll see tomatoes soon too. If we encourage them, local market gardeners may be able to supply us with winter treats like Belgian endive by this time next year.
The Ontario Natural Food Co-op delivers this Friday, so look for organic dried apricots, almond milk, Mapleton's yogurt and Harmony Organics brie again this week, supplies allowing.
Some customers have expressed an interest in the film "Food Inc." Liam Lacey of the Globe and Mail called it "The most effective environmental documentary since An Inconvenient Truth." We have a copy at the store you can borrow if you like. I just don't recommend eating while you watch it.
Around the Sound Local Food Market is at 685 6th Street East at the lights at 7th Avenue - look for our beautiful new sign - thank you Terry and Matthew!
We are open Thursday and Friday 10 until 7 and Saturday 10 until 4 (or 5, no promises).
See you there!
Anne
www.aroundthesoundfood.com
(and a new blog on www.myowensound.ca)
519-370-2333