The RFC is headed to Ellwood Coffee shop for Green Drinks! The focus for this event is local food and urban agriculture. According to the web, Green Drinks "is a simple and unstructured event where people interested in sustainability can get together to network, talk shop, learn something new, share something innovative or maybe even find a job! It's a great time to chat with folks you know or to meet new ones."
I know it is short notice, but perhaps you'll join us!
Come on out the Third Thursday of every month for "Green Drinks" 5:30-7:30pm. Join our mailing list to keep informed of when and where we'll be meeting each month.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
End of a Era for Local Grocery?
With rumors running around about Ukrops going up for sale!!! I can't help but have a knee jerk "Oh No!" reaction to the Richmond family owned business changing hands. Ukrops of late has not been all that I remember from childhood, none-the-less it still has better service than most other grocery options around town. If I could just figure out how to make that awkward walk out to the car with the bagger a little less, well... awkward. Here is a link to The Richmond.com page. They have a link to the industry info. Word is Harris Teeter is interested.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Eating Flowers
At this point in the growing season, I am open to any new recipe that appreciates the inherent bounty of the summer squash. Those of us who are lucky enough to have squash plants can partake in this most delicate and whimsical of summer appetizers. Market growers can take this as encouragement to feel free to bring blossoms to market- what a gorgeous offering!
After a lot of experimenting, we have come up with this recipe for:
Squash Blossom Fritters
12+ squash blossoms (bugs and stamen out!) Soak blossoms in cold water to encourage any bugs to exit.
Stuff each blossom with:
2 tsp. goat cheese per blossom (I like Night Sky's hot pepper or lavender and lemon).
Mix in small bowl:
1 Cup of flour
1/2 Cup cornstarch
1 Cup beer
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste
Heat Canola oil for deep frying
Twist blossoms to close. Dredge each one in batter, then put into oil, turning once. These fry quickly.
Eat warm.
After a lot of experimenting, we have come up with this recipe for:
Squash Blossom Fritters
12+ squash blossoms (bugs and stamen out!) Soak blossoms in cold water to encourage any bugs to exit.
Stuff each blossom with:
2 tsp. goat cheese per blossom (I like Night Sky's hot pepper or lavender and lemon).
Mix in small bowl:
1 Cup of flour
1/2 Cup cornstarch
1 Cup beer
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste
Heat Canola oil for deep frying
Twist blossoms to close. Dredge each one in batter, then put into oil, turning once. These fry quickly.
Eat warm.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
New Food Business Workshop
This just in from VA Extension....
Food Entrepreneurship WORKSHOP SCHEDULED IN MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY REGION
Throughout Virginia, interest in new food items has developed into thriving business ventures for many entrepreneurs. Local communities are working with this growing group of business owners to provide training and space for the preparation of high quality food products. However, food regulations as well as food trends constantly change requiring food-based businesses to continually update their understanding of food safety and marketing strategies. In partnership with the Spencer-Penn Centre and the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, Virginia Cooperative Extension will host the “Starting a Food-Based Business Workshop” on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the Spencer-Penn Centre, Alumni Hall, located at 475 Spencer-Penn Road in Spencer Virginia. Beginning at 8:45 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m. with a tour of the newly launched Spencer-Penn certified community kitchen, participants will discover new ideas to enhance their food-based businesses. The Spencer-Penn Centre is located about 10 miles west of Martinsville just off of U.S. 58 on Spencer Penn Road. Participants will review Virginia’s regulations for food-based business inspections presented by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Henry County Health Department; learn about a virtual network of business support services available to help start-up businesses; and discover marketing resources presented by a Virginia Cooperative Extension marketing specialist.
Joell Eifert with Virginia Tech Food Science and Technology will address the steps involved in developing the product and navigate the regulatory environment. In addition, a panel of successful food-based business entrepreneurs will share their successes and challenges.
The workshop is free, but you must register by Friday, July 17, 2009. Attendees who already produce a specialty food product, or who provide business services that assist entrepreneurs, are welcome to set up a small display, but they must register in order to do so. Lunch will be provided to all attendees.
To register contact the Henry County Virginia Cooperative Extension office at 276-634-4650 or e-mail Donna Draper ddraper@vt.edu
For more information on agritourism programs, please contact Dr. Martha A. Walker by phone at 434-766-6761 or by e-mail at walker53@vt.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Martha A. Walker, Central District Office, at 434-766-6761 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120. ###
Food Entrepreneurship WORKSHOP SCHEDULED IN MARTINSVILLE-HENRY COUNTY REGION
Throughout Virginia, interest in new food items has developed into thriving business ventures for many entrepreneurs. Local communities are working with this growing group of business owners to provide training and space for the preparation of high quality food products. However, food regulations as well as food trends constantly change requiring food-based businesses to continually update their understanding of food safety and marketing strategies. In partnership with the Spencer-Penn Centre and the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, Virginia Cooperative Extension will host the “Starting a Food-Based Business Workshop” on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the Spencer-Penn Centre, Alumni Hall, located at 475 Spencer-Penn Road in Spencer Virginia. Beginning at 8:45 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m. with a tour of the newly launched Spencer-Penn certified community kitchen, participants will discover new ideas to enhance their food-based businesses. The Spencer-Penn Centre is located about 10 miles west of Martinsville just off of U.S. 58 on Spencer Penn Road. Participants will review Virginia’s regulations for food-based business inspections presented by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Henry County Health Department; learn about a virtual network of business support services available to help start-up businesses; and discover marketing resources presented by a Virginia Cooperative Extension marketing specialist.
Joell Eifert with Virginia Tech Food Science and Technology will address the steps involved in developing the product and navigate the regulatory environment. In addition, a panel of successful food-based business entrepreneurs will share their successes and challenges.
The workshop is free, but you must register by Friday, July 17, 2009. Attendees who already produce a specialty food product, or who provide business services that assist entrepreneurs, are welcome to set up a small display, but they must register in order to do so. Lunch will be provided to all attendees.
To register contact the Henry County Virginia Cooperative Extension office at 276-634-4650 or e-mail Donna Draper ddraper@vt.edu
For more information on agritourism programs, please contact Dr. Martha A. Walker by phone at 434-766-6761 or by e-mail at walker53@vt.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Martha A. Walker, Central District Office, at 434-766-6761 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120. ###
Food Inc..... A Must See
The RFC attended last nights special viewing of Food Inc. at the New Movieland Cinema. The sell out crowed (Go Richmond!) seemed to be in agreement that this is one thought provoking film that raises questions everyone should consider. Based on comments made during the panel discussion that followed the film it seemed that for some in the audience this film was a real eye opener, connecting the dots between industrial food production's treatment of animals, workers, farmers, the land, and our own health. Please, don't take my word for it. Watch the film and see what you take home. It also raises interesting questions about big organic verses local. In the end it felt like the whole room had in some sense become a community connected by some new sense of awareness. Props to Food Inc., all those whose hard work landed them on the post movie panel and Whole Foods for that.
PS.. A second hand rumor/scoop, now third hand, told me that Movieland will only show Food Inc. through this Thursday unless the ticket sales remain high. If you interested in seeing this film and would like to share the audience experience, the time is now!
PS.. A second hand rumor/scoop, now third hand, told me that Movieland will only show Food Inc. through this Thursday unless the ticket sales remain high. If you interested in seeing this film and would like to share the audience experience, the time is now!
ZED Is Now The Fat Goat
Just a couple of weeks ago I returned to Zed Cafe' on Lakeside ave. for lunch. The menu was loaded with locally grown seasonal items priced affordably. My friend and I ordered different sandwiches so we could each have half. We enjoyed our lunch... we both had left overs to bring home and we each paid about ten dollars. Also the service was perfect. While there I was admiring the small chalk board by the bar that listed the local farms the cafe purchases from.
Well, Zed has once again given itself an overhaul right down to it's name.
Now called The Fat Goat the restaurant is still serving up local ingredients and a selection of wines from 'boutique' wineries, but now they also offer a new menu highlighting Virginia produce, hand-pulled mozzarella, and house-made sourdough pizzas! They have also added what the owner describes as "creative cocktails" to their drink menu.
The Fat Goat opened for business on Friday, July 10th.
Check it out for dinner, or for brunch either Saturday or Sunday.
* * *The Fat Goat5109 Lakeside Avenue
Contact: Lisa Granger 804-261-5656
eventplanningbodyzensoul@gmail.com
"
Well, Zed has once again given itself an overhaul right down to it's name.
Now called The Fat Goat the restaurant is still serving up local ingredients and a selection of wines from 'boutique' wineries, but now they also offer a new menu highlighting Virginia produce, hand-pulled mozzarella, and house-made sourdough pizzas! They have also added what the owner describes as "creative cocktails" to their drink menu.
The Fat Goat opened for business on Friday, July 10th.
Check it out for dinner, or for brunch either Saturday or Sunday.
* * *The Fat Goat5109 Lakeside Avenue
Contact: Lisa Granger 804-261-5656
eventplanningbodyzensoul@gmail.com
"
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Center for Rural Culture's Monday Meat and Greet
If you don't already know about the Center for Rural Culture here is a chance for you to check out some of the fun stuff they do in addition to running the Goochland Farmers Market....
Monday, July 13th, 6:00-8:30pm
MEAT & GREET
An Educational Program on the Benefits of Locally Grown Meat and Fish Products. JOIN LOCAL FARMERS FOR EDUCATION, DISCUSSION, FOOD TASTING, SOCIALIZING, AND FUN! FEATURING: A "Meat & Greet" Social Hour will be followed by a moderated discussion with local farmers. Sample from a huge buffet of locally produced meats and fish, including beef, pork, poultry, bison and trout. Local cheeses, salad and veggies will also be offered.
Sorry, no children under 12, please.
LOCATION: Brookview Farm 854 Dover Road Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103
COST: $20.00 in advance online using PayPal. Center for Rural Culture members (only $18) may pay at the door using cash, check or credit card.
Register Online! or call: 804-314-9141.
Monday, July 13th, 6:00-8:30pm
MEAT & GREET
An Educational Program on the Benefits of Locally Grown Meat and Fish Products. JOIN LOCAL FARMERS FOR EDUCATION, DISCUSSION, FOOD TASTING, SOCIALIZING, AND FUN! FEATURING: A "Meat & Greet" Social Hour will be followed by a moderated discussion with local farmers. Sample from a huge buffet of locally produced meats and fish, including beef, pork, poultry, bison and trout. Local cheeses, salad and veggies will also be offered.
Sorry, no children under 12, please.
LOCATION: Brookview Farm 854 Dover Road Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103
COST: $20.00 in advance online using PayPal. Center for Rural Culture members (only $18) may pay at the door using cash, check or credit card.
Register Online! or call: 804-314-9141.
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