The Market is Open!

Good Beautiful Day,

The market is open and ready to make your holiday one full of locally-grown goodness! It may feel like summer out there, but now’s actually your last chance to still snag a holiday present for the local-lover in your life. And let’s be honest, your holiday feast is far more likely to impress if you fill it with the flavors of Arkansas. Besides all that, you’ll also get some of that heart-warming joy knowing that you helped support small, sustainable Arkansas farms this holiday. Here’s just a small sampling of all the local love we’ve got to offer…

• I can think of no better way to celebrate than to roast up a leg of lamb from McSwain Ranch. These grassfed beauties deserve to be rubbed down with garlic and rosemary for what I promise will be a feast you won’t soon forget.

• Nothing brightens up my holiday like a delicious cheese tray. Luckily, we’ve got White River Creamery’s altus port fresh farmer’s cheese, Kent Walker Artisan Cheese’ goat gouda, and Honeysuckle Lane Cheese’ raw milk jalapeno chedar for a selection any state would envy!

• We’ve got plenty of potatoes for frying up into latkes, the traditional Hanukkah potato pancake. Or try the sweet potato kind for an ever-so slightly healthier alternative!

• It’s the last week for delicious Japanese persimmons from Barnhill Orchards. They’re a wonderfully sweet addition to just about anything. Last week my girlfriend Marisa made these delectable spiced persimmon pecan muffins and I’m wishing we still had some more.

• And don’t forget the most creative and cool stocking stuffers around! We’ve got everything from mixed nuts, paw paw sauce, soaps and gift basket sets, peanut butter fudge, peanut brittle, tinctures and teas, jams and jellies, BBQ sauce, salsa, green tomato pickles and chutney, suds savers and t-shirts, candles, goat’s milk laundry soap, and even peacock feathers! If you can’t find a present on our market…you’re not looking hard enough : )

A huge thanks to everyone that made it out to my presentation on the results of the first phase of ALFN’s strategic planning process. If you weren’t able to make it but are interested in seeing what we’re up to, just e-mail me at arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com and I’d be happy to share.

Thank you all so much! Now, go outside!

- Alex Handfinger
Director of Operations

Do you have questions or comments about this, or any, weblog? Thoughts on local food, goods, or events? Reply to this email and let us know what’s on your mind. Your feedback is always greatly appreciated!