The Market is Open and Food Matters Film Screening!

Good Morning Food Club,

The market is open with tons of delicious local food. All this wet weather can’t stop our growers from providing us with the best food around. Even some of our seasonal growers are starting to sell again, like…

• Crimminny cricket, it’s Crimmins Family Farm! A huge welcome back to one of our favorite certified organic growers with their delicious curly green leaf kale and red leaf lettuce.

• How about some nutritious kohlrabi kraut from The Root Cafe? Fermented kraut is a probiotic, vitamin C filled wonderfood and serves as a delicious addition to your grilled meats or morning eggs.

• I eagerly anticipate what new hummus Geek Eats will list each week. Today there’s jalapeno and Kent Walker cheese hummus, which is loaded with chunks of Kent Walker Artisan Cheese’ garlic montasio. Yum!

• Those of you getting your gardens going should check out our Garden & Home Supplies section. Get some locally-produced organic compost or compost tea from Green Acres Atkins, willow rooting compound from Food for Thought Farm, or even Cinnamon drops rabbit manure from A B C Nature Greenhouse & Herb Farm.

Make sure to mark your calendars for this Friday, March 27th when the Green Corner Store & Soda Fountain hosts a free screening of Food Matters. This is a powerful documentary that looks at health issues, the health care system, and a growing body of scientific evidence proving that nutritional therapy can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than most conventional medical treatments. It’s at 7pm at StudioMAIN, 1423 S. Main St, and you can join the facebook event here. Hope to see you there!

- 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!

Weblog Entry

Don’t forget to place your order before The Market closes at noon today. There are so many things you don’t want to miss out on, like: pastured eggs, fresh ricotta, buffalo brisket, edible flowers, frozen berries, garlic chives, shiitake mushrooms, raw honey, glazed pecans, chipotle hummus, multigrain bread, firecracker tea, lemon drop pepper jelly, beef bones, chicken stock, T-shirts, goats’ milk lotion, lavender candles, Easter napkins, organic compost, gift baskets, citrus trees, and 633 more products from 34 fantastic local farmers and artisans! It would be impossible not to find something you can’t live without.

-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager

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!

The Market is Open!

Good Morning Food Club,

The ice and rain are over, the temperatures are up, and the market is open. Could it be that we’ve made it through this long and dreadful winter? Is it finally time to switch out the winter coats for rain jackets and re-explore our beautiful Arkansas outdoors? Folks, I’m super stoked, because with each passing week the market will be loaded with exciting and delicious new locally-grown goodness. This week we’ve got…

• Home gardeners will rejoice with all of the wonderful plants from A B C Nature Greenhouse & Herb Farm. Grow your own exciting varieties of cabbage, citrus trees, lettuce, medicinal & tea herbs, homegrown spices, and SO much more with the help of A B C.

• It’s not too early to start thinking about dyed Easter eggs from Bluebird Hill Berry Farm. Just send an e-mail to jdjjhm39@gmail.com with the number of half-dozens you’d like, and they’ll deliver these beautifully dyed eggs for you closer to Easter.

• Don’t know what to do with dandelion roots from Arkansas Natural Produce? I love me some roasted dandelion root coffee, a highly medicinal coffee substitute.

• It’s about time to get those grills fired up, and whether it’s pasture-raised beef, buffalo, chicken, elk, lamb, or pork, we’ve got all the cuts you’ll need to make the whole neighborhood jealous.

• And thanks to Homayd Natural Care Products, there’s some amazing new items in our Bath & Beauty section. They’ve got all-natural eye makeup remover, wrinkle-fighting eye serum, and moisturizing facial oil and toner to ensure that what you’re putting on your body is as good as what you’re putting in it.

We’ve heard back from Whole Foods about our 1% Community Giving Day last month and have got some great news: We’re receiving $1,591.43 thanks to your support. A HUGE thank-you goes out to all of our board members, customers, farmers, volunteers, friends, and family for showing up in force, and especially to the new Whole Foods for giving back. I’m so inspired to be part of such a supportive community and for me, that’s what make this place home.

With Unending Gratitude,

- 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!

Things Not To Forget...

We’re all pretty busy. Between work and play, chores and children, hobbies and housework, spouses and (if we’re lucky) maybe even a little sleep, there isn’t always enough brain power left to remember all the important stuff. Luckily, we’re here to make sure you don’t forget to place your order before The Market closes at noon today!

Speaking of things to remember, there’s only five days left to apply to be ALFN’s new Program and Market Manager. Don’t forget to polish your resume, proofread your cover letter, remind your references that you’re awesome, and send all of the above to arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com by Sunday, March 15th. Check out this link to read the full job description, and contact Alex at arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com or 501.291.2769 if you have any questions. Please share with your networks to make sure we reach all the best candidates!

-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager

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!

The Market is Open and Last Week to Apply to Work For Us!

Good Morning Market,

Could it be? Have we truly emerged from this last hurrah of winter yet? Fingers crossed for all of us, especially our farmers, who have worked so hard to keep the market bountiful all year-round.

I’ve got some exciting news about our donation program. Our House, an incredible local center for the working homeless that provides education and workforce training, children’s and housing programs, and SO much more, recently expressed a need for donated eggs to make their breakfast program more nutritious. We reached out to our growers and Crescent Creek Farm answered the call. You can now purchase their pasture-raised eggs for donation, which basically means that you can purchase eggs that will not only support an awesome local farm, but will improve the diet of those that can’t afford such wonderful food.

And a friendly reminder that this is the last week to apply for our part-time Program and Market Manager position. We’re looking for motivated folks that are passionate about sustainable agriculture to manage our programs, communicate with our stakeholders, and contribute to the sustainability and growth of our mission. Check out this link to read the full job description. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two professional references to arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com by Sunday, March 15th. Contact Alex at arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com or 501.291.2769 if you have any questions. Please share with your networks to make sure we reach all the best candidates!

Stay…Warm?!?!

- 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!

Market Reminder! Plants, Facial Products, Policy Changes, and More!

I hear it’s nearly time to get those seedlings in the ground, not that I know anything about gardening. But I believe it, because I heard it from a farmer, which is something I find myself saying pretty often these days. Those of you with a greener thumb than I, may be pleased to find that things are slowly but surely being added to our Plants, Flowers & Seeds section. Order early and often for the best selection from everything that ABC Greenhouse and Herb Farm and Willow Springs Market Garden have to offer.

Speaking of additions to the market, check out the intriguing new facial care products from Homayd Natural Care Products made with skin loving ingredients like aloe vera, rosehip oil, and other essential oils.

And just in case you’ve been living under a rock, allow me to remind you of all the exciting things going on at ALFN:

• Beginning Saturday, March 7th in addition to being able to pay via credit or debit card through our website, you will also be able to pay by card when you pick up your order. If you do not have a form of payment, your order can not go home with you. To receive your food, you can come back during Food Club with a form of payment, pick your order up on Monday, or we’ll hold on to it one full week for an additional $10 fee. Though it may not seem like much, we can no longer bear the administrative costs of tracking IOUs.

• Beginning Monday, March 9th the Monday pickup will be 5:00-6:00pm. In order to help cover our costs, all orders picked up on Monday will be charged a $2.50 convenience fee.

When you pick up the order you’ll undoubtedly be placing before The Market closes on Wednesday at noon, these policies will be in place. Please read them carefully now, to ensure that you aren’t caught off guard. If you have questions or concerns about any of these changes, you may contact us by replying to this email, or calling (501)291-2769.

In other exciting news, ALFN is seeking applicants for a part-time Program and Market Manager position. We’re looking for motivated folks that are passionate about sustainable agriculture to manage our programs, communicate with our stakeholders, and contribute to the sustainability and growth of our mission. Check out this link to read the full job description. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two professional references to arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com by Sunday, March 15th. Contact Alex at arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com or 501.291.2769 if you have any questions.

-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager

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!

The Market is Open and We're Hiring!

Howdy Food Clubbers,

The market is open and ready for orders of delicious local food! Though I can’t seem to get anything to grow this time of year, folks like Barnhill Orchards know how to keep the market bountiful all year long. Check out photos from our recent visit to their beautiful farm out in the sandhills of Lonoke County.

I’m excited to announce that ALFN is seeking applicants for a part-time Program and Market Manager position. We’re looking for motivated folks that are passionate about sustainable agriculture to manage our programs, communicate with our stakeholders, and contribute to the sustainability and growth of our mission. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two professional references to arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com by Sunday, March 15th. Contact Alex at arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com or 501.291.2769 for the full job description.

And one last friendly reminder that this Saturday, March 7th is the day we’ll implement a few new policy changes. Please remember to bring a form of payment with you to Food Club, since if you don’t have one, we can’t let you go home with your order. Beginning on March 9th, Monday pick-up will be from 5-6pm and there will be a $2.50 convenience charge for all Monday orders. These changes are being made to ensure the financial viability of Food Club moving forward. Please do let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Local Love,

- 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!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Maybe I’m bias, but I think Food Club is pretty darn great. Since you’re reading this, I can only assume you feel the same way. We here at ALFN want to keep Food Club up and running, maybe even thriving, for years and years to come. As you may have heard, we’re making a few long-overdue changes to ensure that everyone can continue to shop for healthy, delicious, Arkansas products for years to come.

What’s in Store:

• Beginning Saturday, March 7th in addition to being able to pay via credit or debit card through our website, you will also be able to pay by card when you pick up your order. If you do not have a form of payment, your order can not go home with you. To receive your food, you can come back during Food Club with a form of payment, pick your order up on Monday, or we’ll hold on to it one full week for an additional $10 fee. Though it may not seem like much, we can no longer bear the administrative costs of tracking IOUs.

• Beginning Monday, March 9th the Monday pickup will be 5:00-6:00pm. In order to help cover our costs, all orders picked up on Monday will be charged a $2.50 convenience fee.

If you have questions or concerns about any of these changes, please contact us by replying to this email, or calling (501)291-2769. We only exist because of the continued support of our members and want to make sure that this wonderful Food Club has its best days ahead!

In Other Change-Related News:

It may not feel like it right now, but spring will eventually come (Right? Right?) and we want you to be prepared. So take a look at the Plants, Flowers, & Seeds section of The Market, where sprouts and starts are slowly trickling in. The weather may have your indoor seedling space heavily populated, but there’s always room for a few purple cauliflower plants and an exotic citrus tree or two.

Note for February 28th:

This Saturday, the Little Rockers Kids Marathon will run from East Capitol & Scott Street to President Clinton Avenue & Sherman Street. This will not directly hinder Food Club, but please drive carefully and watch for small pedestrians. If you would prefer to switch to Monday pickup, just reply to this weblog and let us know.

-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager

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!

The Market is Open and Policy Changes Are Coming!

Good Morning Market,

Thanks so much to everyone that came out to the incredible new Whole Foods on Thursday! We don’t have final numbers yet, but the store was packed all day and it was wonderful to see so many friendly faces. Even after a week like this last one, the market is open with delicious local food, including new organic spice blends and even deodorant from Maison Terre.

Many of our long-time members can recognize how much ALFN has grown over the eight years since we started out of a garage on Victory Street. With growth comes new challenges, and so our Board of Directors has been working incredibly hard to figure out how to make Food Club financially viable moving forward. After weeks of thoughtful debate, we’ll be implementing a few policy changes beginning March 7th:

• Changes to Monday Pick-Up: Beginning 3/9, the new hours of Monday Food Club will be 5-6pm. In order to help cover our costs, all orders picked up on Monday will be charged a $2.50 convenience fee.

• Pay By Credit Card at Pick-Up: In addition to still being able to pay by credit or debit card through our website, beginning on 3/7, you will also be able to pay by card while at pick-up. If you do not have a form of payment, your order can not go home with you. To receive your food, you can come back during Food Club with a form of payment, pick your order up on Monday, or we’ll hold on to it one full week for an additional $10 fee. Though it may not seem like much, we can no longer bear the administrative costs of tracking IOUs.

These decisions are not made lightly and are only so that we can continue to provide this service moving forward. If you have questions or concerns about any of these changes, please do not hesitate to contact me at (501)291.2769 or arlocalfoodnetwork@gmail.com. We only exist because of the continued support of our members and want to make sure that this wonderful Food Club has its best days ahead!

Most Sincerely,

- 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!

Extra! Extra!

Pardon the early weblog, y’all. As you may have noticed, we’re a little snowed in today. So snowed in, in fact, that we can’t make it to this evening’s pickup. We don’t want anyone else risking the roads either, but we do want you to get all the great food you ordered! That’s why we’re moving today’s pickup to tomorrow. If you have an order to pick up, and will not be able to come tomorrow between 4:30 and 6:00PM, please let us know!

In the meantime, there’s no better way to spend your snow-day than browsing The Market, and cooking up something delicious that’s sure to warm your kitchen and your bones. While you’re digging through the pantry, take a look at your reserves. Obviously, Arkansas can go from sunny seventies to sleety single-digits in the span of a single weekend, and it’s probably not the last time we’ll see ice this year. Keeping a few days worth of non-perishables on hand is just plain good sense. If your stock is running low, allow me to suggest a trip to the new and improved Whole Foods Market in West Little Rock. Stop by this Thursday, and not only can you stock up on everything you need to weather the winter, but 1% of sales goes to ALFN! We’ll even be there with bells on! So stop by, say “hi,” stock up, and bring a friend!

-Rebecca Wild
Program Manager

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!