Building Community Through Local Food
You’ll often hear us say that we are creating a community that grows food together.
Community is vital right now, folks. It always has been, but this past year has really brought home just how important it is to humans. Whether we are having a meal together, joining together during a BLITZ to install gardens in peoples’ back yards (coming again in September…more on that soon), helping someone who is having bug problems in their garden, or canning some jam together, food has the opportunity to create more health in our community than just about anything. We don’t have to talk about politics and divide us more when we talk about tomatoes or the best way to minimize slug damage or find out what your favorite way is to use fennel.
It’s summer weather out there! As our county continues to open up we encourage you to join in and be a part of our community once again. Get out there, talk with folks in person, feel the joy of connection!
One historical way that has strengthened community is to come together to do “Barn Raisings.” In days gone by and, still in small rural agriculturally based communities, people would help their neighbors erect barns or homes. Many hands coming together made it possible for farmers to survive.
We here at BCLFN have envisioned coming together for these kinds of “Raisings” for a long time. Last year sort of put the kebosh on it, but this year, we can slowly start to see the potential of what our community can co-create. We are excited to bring back this lovely tradition to help our farmers and gardeners right here in Butte County!
Francine and Lee from GRUB CSA Farm have been around for years, Francine for decades. They are ever evolving and creating a new paradigm of farming FOR our community, not just as a business. They have donated, literally, TONS of food to all sorts of groups and projects. They have been epically supportive of providing space for seed and mycology experiments. They let us park our Marketmobile on the farm. They give out starts to community gardens and always try to ensure that the food they grow does not go to waste. Their infectious love of life infuses all they do with a joyous spirit and lots of laughter.
And now they’d appreciate a little help from their friends.
The potatoes are almost ready and will be prime for harvest next week.
Grab the kids, your friends and yourself and come on down to the farm (11630 Dairy Lane, Chico) on Wednesday, June 16 from 8:30am to noon and help them bring in the harvest. Bring your hats, your water bottles and your willingness to have some fun in the ‘tater patch rows. Meet new friends, see some familiar faces and be ready to laugh lots. Find out more here.
Creating Even More Community
Sundays at Vecino Victory Garden:
Summer arrived earlier this year so we’ve moved the Sunday workday times at Vecino to 8am to 11 to take advantage of the cooler morning hours. Weeds and seed packets are on the agenda this week as well as Pollinator Pathway clearing and greenhouse organizing. Bring your compost, turn a few piles of it in the bin, laugh, talk and join in the fun!! We are building quite a community there and would love for you to join us.
Creating Food Independence in Butte County- Sunday, July 10, 11am at Vecino Victory Garden. Take Charge of Your Heath With Local Summer Seasonal Produce.
Join us to discover the nutritious health benefits of our local summer seasonal produce. It offers distinguishable benefits that provides the body with essential vitamins that contribute to lowering risk of various cancers. Learn how consuming seasonal produce is beneficial! More on this talk and the presenter in future emails but wanted to get it out there so you can save the date!
Farmers Marketmobile
If you are in Magalia on Thursdays between the hours of 4 and 6 or in Concow on Saturdays between 2:30 and 5, stop on by our Farmers Marketmobile, say hi to Ali and Stephanie and get some tasty locally grown food from our farmers. We do this to bring fresh local food closer to folks who want and need it. Magalia’s market is at the Magalia Community Center, 13917 Scott Road. In Concow we’re at the Dome Store. We Take EBT, cash, debit and credit and Marketmobile Angel Cards if you have one. The prices are the same as they are at our Farmers Markets…we do this to bring the food closer to you, courtesy of North Valley Community Foundation and the Butte Strong Fund.
Want the Marketmobile to come to your community? Let us know and we’ll see what we can co-create!
Coming up: Farm to Fork Dinner and The Fall 2021 Garden BLITZ! Watch for them!!
Happy Local Food Eating-
The Board at Butte County Local Food Network-
Ali, Amy, Jarrett, Donna, Toni and Pamm
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