Sunday, September 21, 2008

SFMV at the Toledo Farmers Market




















It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and hundreds of area shoppers jammed the market. It seemed like most of them stopped by the Slow Food Maumee Valley table, where they enjoyed apple pancakes expertly cooked by SFMV members John Ross, Mary Weiss, and Deb Boardley. Member Amelia Contreras, who has launched her own food business, arranged a tasting of apples from Witt's Orchard. We tasted five varieties: Elstar, Ginger Gold, Gravenstein, Honey Crisp, and Ozark Gold. The winners? Honey Crisp and Elstar tied as favorites, Witts sold out early, and we all enjoyed the market scene, including music by Ten Mile Creek.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Apple Tasting / Samples at Toledo Farmers Market




Although you'd never know it from selection offered at the the average grocery store, thousands of varieties of apples are grown in the US. Protecting this biodiversity is one of the goals of Slow Food, and Slow Food Maumee Valley friends and members have a chance to follow Poppy Tooker's advice and "eat it to save it."

Every Saturday morning throughout the winter, Witts Orchards offers dozens of delicious varieties at the Toledo Farmers Market (the orchards, located in Oak Harbor, include more than five dozen varieties).

On Saturday September 20th from 9 AM to 12 PM, Slow Food Maumee Valley members will prepare apple-based treats for market shoppers as well as a tasting of several varieties that are at their peak this month. We'll talk to market shoppers about Slow Food and our mission to make food that is good, clean, and fair available to everyone.

If you'd like to help, call Paula at 419.536.0807 or send an e-mail: slowfoodmaumeevalley@gmail.com.

Perennial Exchange Coming Up Soon

On Saturday October 4th from 10am- to 1:30am, local gardeners are invited to exchange plant and garden supplies at the Original Sub Shop, 402 Broadway (near the Amtrak station) . Here's the schedule:

9:00 Plant Drop-off
9:15 Workshop:Native Plants for the Home Garden.
10:00 Plant Re-distribution

Please bring: Plants (perennials/house plants) - Garden Tools -Garden Books

Need more info? Call the Sub Shop at 419-243-4857.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The challenge of Slow Food Nation



The speeches were inspirational, the market was irresistible, and the food was delicious. It was a privilege to be at Slow Food Nation. Over and over, I was reminded that Northwest Ohio has the ingredients for a great food system, and that Slow Food Maumee Valley can help create it.
Slow Food USA took a huge step forward at Slow Food Nation, and as members we have the opportunity to be a part of new programs and help to grow a stronger, more focused organization. Are you ready?