Tomorrow (Saturday) is the EVERYTHING market at White Rock Local Market on Buckner, in front of Green Spot. That means that in addition to produce and locally farmed foods, arts, crafts, clothing and accessory vendors will be out in full force, peddling their wonderful wares.
WRLM operator Sarah Perry this week let us know about some cool things happening at the market this fall. Here, from Perry herself, are the highlights:
Sprouting Healthy Kids
This fall WRLM begins a new after school program called Sprouting Healthy Kids. This is a hands-on gardening and cooking program where students grow, share, and prepare healthy fruits and vegetables while learning about sustainable food systems. Sprouting Healthy Kids includes several lessons and activities that offer hands-on insight into core curriculum classroom lessons, such as science (composting, life-cycles, environmental studies), social studies (food of Texas and world cultures), and math (measurements, real-world applications of various mathematical calculations). SHK will be utilized in 4 DISD schools this fall.
Love Your Farmer Days
WRLM will host volunteer work days on the farms, ranches, gardens and businesses from WRLM. We will have a list of folks needing help, choose a date, and organize a group to go out and do some chores. We will make sure that the farmers have the right supplies to do the job, make sure there is food for volunteers, and hopefully turn it in to a fun atmosphere of learning and sharing. I have gotten a very positive response from people who love this idea, both vendors and customers. Vendors have reported needs such as: help building or mending fences, weeding, picking and planting, building and renovating a chicken coop, vaccinating, branding, and hoof trimming goats and more! The first date is Sept. 29; the first farm is Farmer Jones Plants and Produce. My hope is to turn this into a dynamic “club” of folks wanting to help out and learn and get to know the people who make and grow our food. (not everyone needs brawn; some will help with “craft services” and some with watching kiddos, etc.)
Workshops
While we have hosted a couple of fee-based workshops (the next is at UU on cheese and winemaking 9/15 – see info below – after that bees and chickens on Nov 3) we have also sponsored free workshops for kids in low income communities. We would like to do much more of this. Plans are to raise the funds to hold workshops with gardening and nutrition themes for kids, adults, and seniors.
DonorBridge Get Up and Give Day
WRLM is participating in this, next Thursday, September 13. On this day the Communities Foundation holds an event where people can donate to various charities through the DonorBridge website – and each donation is matched. In the next few days we could use help getting the word out to people interested in WRLM, letting them know they can donate on that day. I think there are over 100 non-profits/charities on the roster for that day.
More about the cheese and winemaking workshop:
On Sept. 15, White Rock Local Market hosts a workshop on making wine and cheese at home.
A Jug of Wine, and Thou
Workshop: Wine and Cheesemaking with White Rock Local Market
September 15, 9am – 12pm at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas
4015 Normandy Avenue, Dallas, Texa5205
sign up at http://tinyurl.com/WLRMwine-cheese
$60 – per person
$30 – Unitarian Church and White Rock Local Market members
Cheesemaking:
White Rock Local Market vendor Anne Jones, from award wining Latte Da Dairy, demonstrates how to make artisinal goat cheeses, just as she does from her Nubian and Lamancha dairy goats at her Flower Mound farm. Come and meet Anne and learn the basics of cheese making, sampling her varieties of plain chèvre and chèvre with the “works” (dill, garlic, red and black pepper).
Winemaking:
Have you ever wanted to make your own wine? Do you miss Uncle Leroy’s special recipe? George Cornelius, owner of The Wine Maker’s Toy Store, will teach this homemade wine class. This class walks you through the process so you can create your own unique small batch at home. George Cornelius will also have winemaking kits available for sale at a discounted price.
Samples of cheese and home-made wines to taste.
Benefits WRLM, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
