Have you heard the latest? Frito-Lay is trying to cash in on the local food interest by marketing their chips as locally grown. You may have already seen the campaign at your favorite supermarket.
Read this article for more info and then warn your friends...Lays Potato Chips are the same industrial food they've always been but now they come with a deceptive new label.
Aug 24, 2009
Lamb -- Oops!
When I posted the info regarding local lamb I got the email address wrong. If you're interested you'll need to contact Wendy at modernpen@mac.com.
Aug 13, 2009
Not too late to get a local Northern Nevada turkey
Quickly....
Rise and Shine Farms still has a few turkeys that will be ready for Thanksgiving. Contact Mike soon to get one.
Rise and Shine Farms still has a few turkeys that will be ready for Thanksgiving. Contact Mike soon to get one.
Want to help your friends and family better understand why local food is important? Take them to the movies!
Food, Inc. is a documentary about the ugly, scary, and yes sometimes gruesome, condition of our food system. It also has an upside and that’s the part I hope everyone walks away with.
Aug 12, 2009
River School teaches us how to preserve the bountiful harvest
A great way to carry those fantastic summer flavors into the cold weather season is to preserve what you grow in your own backyard or purchase from local farmers. River School is offering food preserving workshops on canning, drying, and pickling. See here for more info.Aug 8, 2009
It's lamb season in Northern Nevada
Grow for Me raises heritage breed lamb and now is the time to stock your freezer.
The cost is $100 for a whole lamb, $50 if you're a Slow Food member (great time to sign up and join Slow Food Reno).
The cost is $100 for a whole lamb, $50 if you're a Slow Food member (great time to sign up and join Slow Food Reno).
Email Grow For Me at modernpen@mac.com for more information.
Northern Nevada has a new growers market in Fallon
Wow! Northern Nevada has a collaborative growers market!It's tomato canning season, too. Last year we canned 100 pounds and ran out of tomatoes in April. We'll put up 150lbs this year.
From my mailbox to you: Grand Opening of Growers Market at Lattin Farms
Fallon – Cooperative farming and increased demand for locally-grown food have sparked the opening of the new Growers Market at Lattin Farms in Fallon. The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on Thursday, August 13, at Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Road, Fallon, to celebrate the grand opening. Regular hours will be 7am-6pm, Monday through Saturday. The market will be closed on Sundays.
The new market is an expansion of the original Lattin Farms farm stand which has been operating since the 1980's. Last winter, a 2000 square-foot covered facility was built next to the original roadside stand. Five Nevada farms, including four new farms, will sell produce alongside Lattin Farms.
"The Growers Market will give our customers more of what they want when they want it," says Rick Lattin, owner of Lattin Farms, "and it will give new farmers a market to sell their product. It's exciting to see new farmers in Nevada." Pioneer Farms, Nanadew Herb Farm, Chickie Baby Blooms, Salisha's Delicious, and Dawn's Dream Acres will offer produce at the market.
Five varieties of cantaloupe, sweet corn, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, eggplant, herbs, fresh cut flowers, and more are currently available at the market. Customers can also find jams and jellies, honey, and fresh baked goods from the on-farm bakery.
"We've got a bumper crop this year," says Lattin, "If you want to can tomatoes or make pickles, now's the time to come to the farm. We've got great prices - and we've got Hearts O' Gold melons."
For more information, call (775) 867-3750 or visit www.lattinfarms.com.
Fallon – Cooperative farming and increased demand for locally-grown food have sparked the opening of the new Growers Market at Lattin Farms in Fallon. The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on Thursday, August 13, at Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Road, Fallon, to celebrate the grand opening. Regular hours will be 7am-6pm, Monday through Saturday. The market will be closed on Sundays.
The new market is an expansion of the original Lattin Farms farm stand which has been operating since the 1980's. Last winter, a 2000 square-foot covered facility was built next to the original roadside stand. Five Nevada farms, including four new farms, will sell produce alongside Lattin Farms.
"The Growers Market will give our customers more of what they want when they want it," says Rick Lattin, owner of Lattin Farms, "and it will give new farmers a market to sell their product. It's exciting to see new farmers in Nevada." Pioneer Farms, Nanadew Herb Farm, Chickie Baby Blooms, Salisha's Delicious, and Dawn's Dream Acres will offer produce at the market.
Five varieties of cantaloupe, sweet corn, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, eggplant, herbs, fresh cut flowers, and more are currently available at the market. Customers can also find jams and jellies, honey, and fresh baked goods from the on-farm bakery.
"We've got a bumper crop this year," says Lattin, "If you want to can tomatoes or make pickles, now's the time to come to the farm. We've got great prices - and we've got Hearts O' Gold melons."
For more information, call (775) 867-3750 or visit www.lattinfarms.com.
Aug 6, 2009
Grow For Me gets into the egg business
Here’s a new way to buy your free-range, pasture-raised, organic, hormone and antibiotic free, locally grown eggs.
Pay now for your hens and get your eggs later. It’s good for your family because you’ll know exactly how your hens will be raised and good for the farmer because it helps defray the up-front expense of developing and maintaining a healthy flock.
Grow For Me is going into the egg business. I’ve been to her place and seen her happy animals so the eggs should be great.
Briefly, here’s how it will work:
The consumer (you) will contract with Grow for Me to pay $25 before August 15th. With that money she’ll buy three hens for your family. If you want more eggs you can contract for more hens for an additional $15 apiece. The fee covers initial purchase, transportation, organic chick scratch, and replacement for chicks that don’t make it to laying-hen age. Wendy won’t be using antibiotics on the chicks so there could be a naturally occurring loss but the surviving chickens will be healthier.
The hens should reach laying age in late May of 2010. At that time you’ll pay $3.25 doz. or $4.65 for 18. This price is 75 cents less than we pay for our locally grown eggs so it accounts for the up front cost of the contract.
If you are interested in eggs for your restaurant she has a program for you too. Prepay $150 by August 30th for a maximum of 10 dozen eggs per week.
Contact Grow for Me at modernpen@mac.com for more details.
Pay now for your hens and get your eggs later. It’s good for your family because you’ll know exactly how your hens will be raised and good for the farmer because it helps defray the up-front expense of developing and maintaining a healthy flock.
Grow For Me is going into the egg business. I’ve been to her place and seen her happy animals so the eggs should be great.
Briefly, here’s how it will work:
The consumer (you) will contract with Grow for Me to pay $25 before August 15th. With that money she’ll buy three hens for your family. If you want more eggs you can contract for more hens for an additional $15 apiece. The fee covers initial purchase, transportation, organic chick scratch, and replacement for chicks that don’t make it to laying-hen age. Wendy won’t be using antibiotics on the chicks so there could be a naturally occurring loss but the surviving chickens will be healthier.
The hens should reach laying age in late May of 2010. At that time you’ll pay $3.25 doz. or $4.65 for 18. This price is 75 cents less than we pay for our locally grown eggs so it accounts for the up front cost of the contract.
If you are interested in eggs for your restaurant she has a program for you too. Prepay $150 by August 30th for a maximum of 10 dozen eggs per week.
Contact Grow for Me at modernpen@mac.com for more details.
Jul 30, 2009
It's been a great growing year for No. Nev - stock up now!
The weather and food gods have been good to Nevada this year so farmers have a bumper crop this year. Gather some friends or family and take a short trip to Fallon to pick some up. I have 20 bucks and a few hours so I'll be making my wonderful husband enough salsa to last him until Summer 2010. Happy man!From my inbox to you:
Jul 22, 2009
Slow Food Reno takes the next step
We heard from all the farmers present and learned a little more about them and their operations. Here’s a not necessarily thorough summary. There was so much going on I couldn’t write fast enough to get it all down.
Jul 15, 2009
What does the Thanksgiving Butterball have to do with ravaged communities and environments?
Okay, I just have to say it because turkey has been on my mind the last couple of days.
I try to present everything I've learned over the last few years in a positive light simply because it's healthier to be for something (local food, restaurants, and farmers) than against something (misguided government policy, corporate greed, and public apathy). But it's my blog and today I choose to be pissed off about this.
Mother Earth recently wrote a blurb about a Rolling Stones report on Smithfield Farms, one of the biggest, nastiest, greediest corporations on the planet. And….they own Butterball. So if extolling the virtues of local farmers, tasty meats, and community doesn’t get people off their duffs and making the effort to contact a local turkey farmer, perhaps the gruesome reality of Smithfield World will.
Argh!
I try to present everything I've learned over the last few years in a positive light simply because it's healthier to be for something (local food, restaurants, and farmers) than against something (misguided government policy, corporate greed, and public apathy). But it's my blog and today I choose to be pissed off about this.
Mother Earth recently wrote a blurb about a Rolling Stones report on Smithfield Farms, one of the biggest, nastiest, greediest corporations on the planet. And….they own Butterball. So if extolling the virtues of local farmers, tasty meats, and community doesn’t get people off their duffs and making the effort to contact a local turkey farmer, perhaps the gruesome reality of Smithfield World will.
Argh!
Jul 14, 2009
Yes...it's time to think about Thanksgiving 2009 in Northern Nevada
Rise and Shine Farms is getting geared up for the season so contact them and get your order in now.
Plan a Visit to Custom Gardens Organic Farm..... in the near future!
From my inbox to you:
Don’t wait until annual Farm Food and Harvest event this fall …… See what is growing soon, and often!
We don’t want anyone to miss out on seeing the Mediterranean Garden Demonstration plot, as it is bursting at the seams with big healthy crops of Beans, Lettuces, Melons, Squash, Cucumbers, Peppers (including the Internet famous Aleppo Pepper, among several other pepper-types, Pimento, Paprika, Hot and Sweet varieties).
Don’t wait until annual Farm Food and Harvest event this fall …… See what is growing soon, and often!
We don’t want anyone to miss out on seeing the Mediterranean Garden Demonstration plot, as it is bursting at the seams with big healthy crops of Beans, Lettuces, Melons, Squash, Cucumbers, Peppers (including the Internet famous Aleppo Pepper, among several other pepper-types, Pimento, Paprika, Hot and Sweet varieties).
Jul 13, 2009
Western Nevada College - learn about the harvest
Lavender Ridge
Western Nevada College continues its program to develop small farm agriculture in Nevada with three summer harvest workshops. The first workshop will be held during lavender harvest season. Read on for more about three opportunities to learn about farm management and harvest practices. Even if you don't have a farm, these courses offer invaluable information for anyone interested in growing food. These classes are open to everyone.
Mills Ranch raises grass-fed beef - here's a chance to eat BBQ and vist the ranch!
From my mailbox to you:
July 25 is Farm Day at Mills Ranch in Fallon! Join them for an afternoon of food, friends, and fun. There will be farm tours, cooking demonstrations and favorite recipes for grass-fed beef, presentations and discussions, and barbecued beef from Mills Ranch.
The festivities begin at 3 pm and last until 7. Please RSVP to 867-3431 by July 17th! Mills Ranch is a 3-generation family farm located at 5707 Candee Lane in Fallon. More info at www.millsranch.org.
Is Sustainable Attainable? by Gary Romano
If you don't know it already let me tell you right off -- being a small farmer in the 21st century is tough. The government stacks the deck in favor of big agriculture and development, and relentless processed food marketing constantly draws our attention away from tasty, healthy food and towards convenient, artificially cheap food. You gotta wonder why they stay on the farm.Here's a little insight from one of our best local farmers. Check out this video produced by Gary Romano at Sierra Valley Farms.
Jul 4, 2009
Northern Nevada has a Slow Food chapter!
Slow Food is about eating good, fresh food, preferably locally grown food (depending on your perspective...and hey, I am a local food advocate am I not!), visiting, and connecting with our friends, families, neighbors, and potential new friends. Slow Food is also about food justice, food security, artesian food, endangered food, cooking, imbibing, growing…anything that has to do with food outside the fast food system. There’s room all perspectives, interest levels, and skills. Go to Slow Food Reno or Slow Food USA to find out more.
By the way, when thinking about or interacting with Slow Food it helps to remember that the key word here is “slow”. I’ve been involved with Slow Food activities for a couple of years now and must always remind myself that the international organization does not work well with hard and fast deadlines and timeframes. For example, even though SFR has been official for a few weeks, the group is not yet included on the Slow Food USA convivium list. Relax…have something to eat and a glass of wine with your favorite other while you wait.
Woo hoo!
Wanna food shop one step closer to home? Custom Gardens is holding an on-farm market
This time of year is ambrosia for people who like to eat close to home. Each year the number of northern Nevada farmers markets increases, as does the number of potential urban and rural farmers taking a shot a growing human food (called "specialty crops" in the agriculture industry) in Nevada. Granted, many of the farmers at the markets hail from California. These farmers grow where the growing season is longer and the temperatures are friendlier. I really appreciate what they do, but still, my heart is with Nevada farmers for food-security and economic reasons, and because I love them as individuals. Nevada farmers are working hard to expand the growing season and available varieties. On-farm markets are just one more way to buy the food they grow.
If there's anything more fun than shopping at the farmers markets it's shopping right on the farm. If you haven't had a chance to do this yet I highly recommend it. Take the family and friends and make it a day.
If there's anything more fun than shopping at the farmers markets it's shopping right on the farm. If you haven't had a chance to do this yet I highly recommend it. Take the family and friends and make it a day.
Jun 15, 2009
Northern Nevada farmers are opening farm stands
Soon we'll have more options for purchasing food grown by really local farmers. More Nevada farmers are starting on-farm markets, or farm stands.
Getting fresh food from the farm to the market, while simultaneously running a farm can be a challenge. The food distribution system that delivers our food to the supermarket is not available to local farmers and it doesn't work with fresh food, so farmers have to come up with other innovative ways to get their product to us. Some are returning to the use of farm stands, which connect us to the fresh food and give us an opportunity to relearn where food comes from.
From my mailbox to you,
Getting fresh food from the farm to the market, while simultaneously running a farm can be a challenge. The food distribution system that delivers our food to the supermarket is not available to local farmers and it doesn't work with fresh food, so farmers have to come up with other innovative ways to get their product to us. Some are returning to the use of farm stands, which connect us to the fresh food and give us an opportunity to relearn where food comes from.
From my mailbox to you,
Jun 4, 2009
New farmers market in Fallon
This just in....
There's a new farmers market in Fallon. The Grower's Market is held each Saturday, 9:00 to 1:00, at the Slanted Porch, 310 S. Taylor Street.
It started a couple of weeks ago, around May 30th, and will continue until it's done...no specific end date yet.
For updates contact The Slanted Porch at 775-423-4489.
There's a new farmers market in Fallon. The Grower's Market is held each Saturday, 9:00 to 1:00, at the Slanted Porch, 310 S. Taylor Street.
It started a couple of weeks ago, around May 30th, and will continue until it's done...no specific end date yet.
For updates contact The Slanted Porch at 775-423-4489.
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