The Market is Open, Thanks to You!

Friends,

The market is open for orders and it’s all thanks to you! This time of year always has me reflect on all that I’m grateful for. When I look back on the growth of Food Club over the past seven years, I’m amazed at the countless number of folks that have contributed to our success. While the following thanks certainly aren’t exhaustive, there’s (more than) a few I needed to call out for their constant support:

• Thank you to our founders Nao Ueda and Katy Elliot for seeing a need and figuring out how to fill it. You laid the solid foundation for an organization that’s been able to grow exponentially thanks to your hard work and vision.

• Thank you to our ever-growing number of customers, who put your money where your mouths (and stomachs) are week after week. You support a stronger local economy and more sustainable future by ensuring the viability of small Arkansas farms, and we always appreciate your love of all things local and generosity whenever we reach out for help.

• Thank you to our incredible vendors for producing the highest quality food and products using ethical and sustainable practices. You work your tails off not for financial incentive nor personal gain, but because you have dedicated your lives to being the change you wish to see in the world.

• Thank you so much to our wonderful volunteers for donating so much of your time and energy to not only operating Food Club, but doing so with a smile. You are our greatest asset and Food Club could not function without your dedication.

• Thank you to our Board of Directors for volunteering countless time and energy to steering this organization towards a sustainable future, and especially to our exiting Executive Committee: Board Chair Dwayne McFarlan, Treasurer Juli Brandenberger, and Secretary Carrie Mensik. These three have given so much of themselves to see this organization through multiple transitions and we can not thank them enough for their wisdom and dedication.

• Thank you so much to our Food Club Program Manager Rebecca Wild for always going above and beyond to ensure this incredibly complicated program operates smoothly all-year round. I definitely didn’t gain a full appreciation for all of the moving pieces of Food Club until I had to start learning how to reconcile 90 orders a week from over 30 growers, each with their own adjustments, memberships, and unending list of quirks. Rebecca’s thoroughness and support makes my job so much easier, and for that I am eternally thankful. A special shout-out to her husband Steve for being our most dedicated and multi-talented volunteer.

• Thank you to our gracious hosts at Christ Episcopal Church for always practicing what they preach. From giving us an office and the room to operate an indoor farmer’s market to being incredibly flexible with our grower deliveries and equipment needs, I simply can’t imagine how we’d still be around without your generosity. Your ingenuity in supporting small farmers and low-income families through Green Groceries is an inspiration!

• Thank you so much to 2nd Presbyterian Church of Little Rock for their multiple grants that funded the publication of the first two editions of ALFN’s FRESH Local Foods Directory. FRESH is a groundbreaking project that helps connect the often disparate pieces of our blossoming local food movement, and it was only made possible thanks to your support.

• Thank you to all of the advisors and participants in ALFN’s recent strategic plan. This project was only made useful thanks to the contributions of countless individuals, and you have helped ensure a sustainable future for ALFN. Be sure to keep your eyes out for the results of that process within the next few weeks.

• And I would be remiss to not thank my family and friends, who are my rock and inspiration. I am so, so privileged to be able to do this incredibly important work, and I can only do it thanks to your love and support.

A few announcements:

• A great way to thank one of our growers would be to visit Tammy Sue’s Critters’ annual Christmas Open House at their farm on Saturday, November 29th from 10am-2pm. Tammy’s got a beautiful place on the outskirts of North Little Rock at 4 Cheyenne Trail, North Little Rock 72120. So come on out and meet the goats, alpaca, free-range chickens, dogs, cats, and GUARD LLAMA and even do a little holiday shopping while you’re at it!

• Willow Springs Market Garden wanted us to let you know that they’ll be taking a much-needed vacation, but fear not, their delicious vegetables will return in just three weeks’ time.

Hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanks again for the constant support!

Most Sincerely,

- Alex Handfinger
Director of Operations

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