I was surprised to see Parade magazine featuring local food in its cover story yesterday. I don’t think you can get much more mainstream than Parade.
Unfortunately, the Lawrence Farmers Market had its last day on Saturday, so residents looking for local food will have to look elsewhere. Fortunately, they won’t have to look far. The Community Mercantile is a reliable source of local foods, including locally grown greens, mushrooms, grass-fed beef, chicken, milk, eggs, bread and cheeses. HyVee and Checkers also carry local milk.
In the Kansas City area, Hen House Markets have embraced the Buy Fresh/Buy Local creed and sponsor a CSA during the growing season and post on their web site local products currently available.
If you have Thanksgiving on your mind, I expect that the Merc has plenty of local sweet potatoes, and the New York Times featured Lindsborg turkey breeder Frank Reese Jr. He’s probably out of birds given the Times’ exposure, but you can try at the website for the Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch.
Closer to home, last week Sharon Vesecky of Baldwin sent an email saying the Vesecky Family Farms had turkeys available:
We still have some homegrown turkeys available for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The heritage turkeys are $3.75/lb this year, and the broad-breasted turkeys are $2.25/lb. If you are interested, please call me at 785-594-2493 or respond by e-mail.
We have pastured chickens available all year. They are $2.00/lb. Cut up chickens are also available. There is a 50 cent charge per bird for cutting up chickens. To order chickens, please call William at 785-594-6433 or respond by e-mail.
In addition, last week The Times’ story lists other possible suppliers.
The change of season might have eliminated some of our summer favorites, but if you want local food, there’s much to be had.
Dave Lawrence // Nov 13, 2007 at 12:13 pm
We have some organic, natural and free-range food producers (and other vendors) at a few winter markets in Kansas City - they will be selling produce as long as possible this winter, until the spring and summer markets open, if possible. See our Featured Markets on the Kansas City Food Circle web site for market details and other calendar items.
Janet Majure // Nov 13, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Hey, thanks, Dave. And to blog newbies: Click Dave’s name above to get to the Kansas City Food Circle web site.
Diane // Nov 14, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Margaret Clark at Clark Family Farm also has chickens and turkey. She sells at Local Burger, too. She will be there next Tues. late afternoon. Her number to order is 842-0385. Diane
jen maiser // Nov 16, 2007 at 12:56 pm
“I don’t think you can get much more mainstream than Parade.”
I have heard this exact phrase many times this week. The general consensus is that when your movement is on the cover of Parade, you’ve reached Critical Mass. Glad to have found you via Ethicurean!
Janet Majure // Nov 16, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Hey, thanks Diane for the lead and Jen for the nice compliment. Jen, I’ve seen your site before. You do a great job.