Big News from Your p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm

Miracles happen daily for us here at p.e.a.c.h. The newest miracle is that we have been offered the opportunity to purchase an historic 30-acre piece of lovely farmland to be the new home base for the "Our Fresh Future for Spokane" Community Farms and Gardens project. We are jumping for joy with a resounding YES as we move our main operations one last time to our new dream farm. We had a ground breaking back in November (thanks to all of you who came to show your support) and now we are going to do it again! This new farm will be the first parcel of land to go into the newly forming p.e.a.c.h. Farmland Trust so that the land will be protected and preserved to grow food, one of our most precious resources, as we learn to live sustainably here in Spokane. So mark your calendars and join us at 10 AM on March 20th for the ground breaking at the new 30-acre p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm at Pine Meadow located at 10425 S. Andrus, Cheney, WA 99004. See Map.

Stay Tuned for Big News from p.e.a.c.h.

p.e.a.c.h. keeps evolving. It's a natural process. This blog reflects the journey so far. Much of what's here seems like ancient history now, but we'll keep it here for archival purposes. What's around the next bend? Some pretty exciting things! For upcoming events, visit our page on Facebook. For what's around the bend? Stay tuned...

Thank you to all who came to our tree planting on Nov. 21,2009.

We had a wonderful and supportive gathering of well-wishers in support of the new p.e.a.c.h. non-profit Community Farm. The goats and children made friends. We shared our vision of the future. We planted a peach tree as a symbol of hope and renewal. With your help, by June 2010, we'll be well into our first growing season-- ready to begin harvesting and bringing fresh produce to neighborhood stands in Spokane. We'll be at the Cheney farmers Market and we'll also have a farm stand at the farm on Saturdays. Until then, we have a lot of preparation to do. Your early support makes this possible. Thanks again.

Another way to show early support is to purchase one or more shares in the p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. We have two CSA's. One for weekly boxes of farm-fresh produce and the other gets you plant starts for your garden-- three times during the season. You can grow up to 4 times the worth of the initial investment in your p.e.a.c.h. Plants CSA. Contact us about how to sign up. Call the Farm Office at 509-448-3066 or email the Farm Manager at this address: farms at peachlocal dot com.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - November 7th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes

Jacque's Blog

PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.



PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

The Raw Food

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - October 31, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

BOO!  Did I scare you?  What scares me is the "Standard American Diet" "SAD"!  If SAD scares you then join us in launching our new food system model here in Spokane.  Our model includes a farm school, a youth program, a farm apprenticeship program, a program to get locally grown fresh foods produced on our farms to Spokane residents who live in poverty, and a farm land trust.  This is a powerful model that is being launched right here in Spokane, Washington.

As we nourish people who live in poverty and raise the standard of living by creating farming jobs and feeding ourselves from land here in Spokane, our community will become less impoverished.  This will cause businesses to relocate to Spokane.  Local food production is a doorway into a culturally rich community.  Together we will create a wonderful livable city using local food production as our tool to advance quality of life for every Spokane resident.

COME PET THE GOATS! You are invited to our p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm ground breaking. Building on the success of a 2-acre Spokane Valley farm and the Farm Hands program to work the land, p.e.a.c.h. is expanding its farm program to a 10-acre site in South Spokane County.  Please join us for an "Open Farm" event and ceremonial peach tree planting.  Meet the farm Director and pet the dairy goats, enjoy a hot drink, and learn more about how p.e.a.c.h. is contributing to our local food system.

What: Open Farm and peach tree planting When: Noon on Saturday, November 21, 2009 Where: 3714 West Anderson Road Take Hwy 195 South to Paradise Road (approximately 10 miles), then Right on Paradise, continue to S. Sherman, Left on S. Sherman, Left on Anderson Road to 3714.

We will be raising money at this event to buy the construction materials to build the sprout house where thousands of bedding plants will be seeded for the 2010 growing season.  Please plan on making a donation when you come.

WE NEED YOUR LEAVES! We would love all the fall leaves you can throw at us.  Leaves make great compost mixed in with the Fresh Abundance green waste. You can bring them to the farm or in some cases we will pick them up.  If you have leaves for us email Brightspirit@freshabundance.com.  We would also welcome organic lawn clippings ~ can't have used weed n feed because these chemicals kill veggie plants.

Rocking chair fundraiser We have sold 17 of the 32 raffle tickets for the beautiful one of a kind all hand made Shaker style rocker made by Fresh Abundance member Curtis Michael who donated this locally made custom piece of furniture from his current collection.  Check out his work at www.cmrfurniture.com.  If you are looking for a one of a kind custom made piece of furniture then Curtis is your guy. If you want to support the farm then buy a raffle ticket at the counter at Fresh Abundance.

Fresh Abundance is open Daily (yup everyday) from 7 AM to 9 PM.  We are here to serve you the best local, raw and Gluten Free foods in Spokane.  Speaking of Gluten Free goodies we now have Quail Ridge Ranch locally made Gluten Free (non cross contamination) baked goods that arrive FRESH each Thursday and are in the freezer case the rest of the time.

Community Roots Market will be held on Saturday November 14 from 11-4 This is a great place to get your locally made gift!

Till next week stay local,
Brightspirit

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - October 24th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

New Food System Model Launching Saturday November 21st
Ready, set, go MARK YOUR CALENDAR for a great family outing! We are breaking ground and planting a peach tree at the p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm on Saturday November 21st.  I will tell you where the farm is in the next weekly news ~ hint it is 20 minutes south of down town. P.e.a.c.h. is launching a new food system model right here in Spokane County. Yes that sounds all technical but basically we have come up with a smart way to gets lots of local food produced and eaten right here. One of our first priorities is to get a lot of the first food produced to thousands of residents in Spokane who are low-income.  You can visit the farm to pet and adopt a goat along with learning about p.e.a.c.h. programs, all of which are focused on getting more local food into production.

Farm Hands Program
Join our Farm Hands program that redirects non-payroll labor hours that already exist in the community into local food production. We work with the Department of Correction, Juvenile Justice, Welfare to Work programs, churches, youth groups, boy scouts, universities and regular volunteers like you.  In 2009 we worked with 630 volunteers and in 2010 we will need several thousand volunteers.  Come out on November 21st and find out how you can lend a hand.

YOUF - Young Organic Urban Farmers
Learn about YOUF ~ Young Organic Urban Farmers ~ a new p.e.a.c.h. program launching in the spring of 2010.  We will select a handful of low-income youth and give them jobs for the season on the farm.  These youth will plant, harvest, and market produce to their own neighborhoods.

p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm Stands
p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm Stands Another new program for the 2010 season are the neighborhood farm stands. One evening a week in West Central, Hillyard, One World Café Community Garden, the YMCA on Monroe, and on the Southhill that has yet to be sited, p.e.a.c.h. community farm produce will be for sale.  If you have a food stamp card (now also known as a SNAP card) you will get a steep savings when you by your fresh local farm products at one of the stands.  If you pay regular price then you will know your money goes back into the program to help feed your low-income neighbors!

More & Goats Too
We have more in the works so come to the farm on November 21st and learn what a smart food system looks like.  The p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm will have a full bedding plant operation, produce production, milk parlor, cheese making/value added kitchen, site for apprentices to live year round, and a classroom.  We have the farm, now we are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.  What we need from you is time and money, a little or a lot. We are calling all EATERS to come join the fun as we learn to feed ourselves here in Spokane County.

Next Community Roots Market - Saturday November 14th
Community Roots Market news We are going back to the original concept and will now do the markets once a month on on the Second Saturday. Next market will be November 14th.

Green Smoothies Class - Tuesday November 3rd
Green Smoothie or bust I am still drinking lots of green smoothie everyday. I have not gotten sick yet!  I am amazed given that I have been working around the clock writing grants for the new farm! Next Green Smoothie class is November 3rd, 6PM at Fresh Abundance.

Next weekly news we will have more from Tara on her adventures in human chemical exposure.

Crazy for local food! Brightspirit

About Milk & Better Health

A three part movie about Milk & Better Health.

- Part 1 History Repeats Itself (30 min),
- Part 2 Pasteurization (30 min)
- Part 3 Vitamin D, Powdered Milk, Hormones (24 min)

- Select Ideas To Consider (5 min)

Being Happy - You Take Care Of You

Clean dairies and happy cows are on to something. - Louis Pasteure. Learning from people trying to eat healthier. We have access to the best food supply ever, the most interesting ever. If you are happy your immune system functions on a much higher level. Adjust your life, sift your life, so you are doing what you are doing with it - your hobbies, your work, what ever you are doing ...

This weeks Fresh Abundance news is brought to you by p.e.a.c.h. Board member Tara Foote

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

This weeks Fresh Abundance news is brought to you by p.e.a.c.h. Board member Tara Foote

Propylene Glycol

A few weeks ago I shared a story in the weekly news that detailed my protracted journey of health that led to a personal breakthrough with the discovery of my own food and chemical allergies. Despite the two week delay and all of the excitement of the p.e.a.c.h Farm School fundraiser, Brightspirit's new grandson, and the numerous birthdays and baby showers I have attended since we last met, I have finally found the time to reflect and bring you that list of Propylene Glycol products I promised.

As the cold weather hits and skin gets dryer, take a moment to read the labels on your lotions and potions that hydrate you during the high pressure of the winter season. Among other chemicals like Parabens that ordinarily appear on the labels of personal care products, Propylene Glycol is a relatively common chemical that can be found in a surprising, if not shocking, number of products. My allergy to this chemical was fairly easy to remedy since the only products I was using that contained it were my prescriptions to deal with the rashes I was getting (Propylene Glycol can be found in Corticosteroid creams in concentrations up to 70%) and my twice yearly trip to the salon to have my hair done (Propylene Glycol was found in EVERY product my hair stylist used, including all hair dyes etc.). Prior to discovering my allergy, I knew better but reasoned with myself every time I went to see her thinking, "I know there are bad chemicals in these products but a couple times a year won't hurt. Unless, of course, you have a severe allergy to the most common chemical used in all of those products, which I do.

For many years now, I have been suspicious of conventional products and while some people have undoubtedly called me paranoid for this, I find that my thinking is actually very sane and well researched. Deciphering the language of hundreds of chemicals found in our food and body care products was actually a HUGE part of the early work of p.e.a.c.h. Of many chemicals we found on labels, (including Propylene Glycol) our work unveiled that most, if not all of the chemicals were carcinogenic, endocrine disrupting lab experiments that paradoxically attempted to mimic nature by bringing us products like a dryer sheet that "smelled" like rain and lotion that "felt" like pearls. While this work became invariably frustrating at times, it could also be fun, in a strange sort of way. Sometimes things were so ludicrous and unbelievable, that all we could do was laugh. Who knew, for example, that artificial strawberry flavor had something like 26 lab created chemicals in it to make it the perfect pink strawberry flavored beverage? And so it goes, until people forget what a home made, hand picked and churned, strawberry milkshake really tastes like. The good news is you can still make a great milkshake with only a couple of healthy ingredients.

So where do you find Propylene Glycol? According to the Dermatology Contact Clinic of Oregon Health Sciences University, and stated on the information sheet given to me by my doctor, Propylene Glycol can be found in "thousands of over the counter and prescription products." In my own research I have found that it is essentially anti freeze, highly carcinogenic, and can cause a host of reactions in human beings, both local and systemic. Of the thousands of products, here is a list, as promised, of some of the most common culprits.

They include; antifreeze and synthetic resins, automotive brake fluid, bath oils, cosmetics, deodorants, food additives-solvent for colors and flavors, emulsifiers, foot powders, hair conditioners, hair dyes, humectants for tobacco, moisturizing preparations, mouthwashes, nail polish and remover, perfumes, (and) pharmaceuticals (including) topical corticosteroids, ear preparations, lubricant, electrocardiogram gels, and injectables" Glycol is also commonly found in shampoos and shaving creams. This list came from my doctor, but in my own research I have found it in cake mixes and other unsuspecting places as well. All I can think is how on earth does one of the main ingredients in antifreeze get into our food chain and how safe is it really to wash your hair with it, or put it under your arms, or lather it all over your body in lotions?  The answer is complicated but the solution is not.  There are natural alternatives to every single one of these products, and using them, for me personally, makes me feel the very opposite of paranoid, it makes me feel powerful.

Calendar
Community Roots Market Sunday 11-4
Green Smoothie Class at Fresh Abundance 2015 N Division 6PM $10 prepaid and $15 at the door

Have a great week, Tara

How to make Green Smoothies

by Brightspirit

Download recipes.

Kid Smoothie

1. Put kale in the blender to the 1.5 mark add water to the top of
   the kale, blend on high speed till it is very pulverized. Leave the
   liquid you just made in the blender for the next step. If there is no
   kale move onto step 2 and fill blender to #3 with chard, spinach or
   beet greens


2. Use one or a combination of chard, spinach, beet greens and fill the blend to #3 on the blender gently compacting it.


3. Fill the blender with lettuce leaves to #4 gently compacting.


4. NOTE all fruit must be VERY ripe if its not ripe don’t use it you can not compensate with Agave


5. One small to medium banana


6. 1/8 pineapple to include the core, if no pineapple then use three kiwi


7. 3 pint (16oz) container filled with three different fruit from the list below—remove stickers from fruit first


• Melon
• Grapes
• Peach/Nectarine
• Strawberries w/calyx, blueberries, raspberries (any combination to make 16 oz)
• Plums
• Pear


8. Add ¼ cup agave


9. Add water to #6 on blender


10. Add 1 cup ice to top


11. Blend only long enough to get it smooth


12. In gallon jar mix 16 oz of fresh orange juice into the smoothie

Junior Smoothie

1. Put kale in the blender to the 2 mark add water to the top of the
   kale, blend on high speed till it is very pulverized. Leave the liquid
   you just made in the blender for the next step. If there is no kale
   move onto step 2 and fill blender to #3 with chard, spinach or beet
   greens


2. Use one or a combination of chard, spinach, beet greens and fill the blend to #4 on the blender gently compacting it.


3. Fill the blender with lettuce leaves to #6 gently compacting.


4. NOTE all fruit must be VERY ripe if its not ripe don’t use it you can not compensate with Agave


5. One small to medium banana


6. 1/8 pineapple to include the core, if no pineapple then use three kiwi


7. 2 pint (16oz) container filled with three different fruit from the list below- remove stickers from fruit first


• Melon
• Grapes
• Peach/Nectarine
• Strawberries w/calyx, blueberries, raspberries (any combination to make 16 oz)
• Plums
• Pear


8. Add water to #6 on blender


9. Add 1 cup ice to top


10. Blend only long enough to get it smooth


11. In gallon jar mix 16 oz of fresh orange juice into the smoothie

Graduate Smoothie

1. Put kale in the blender to the 2 mark add water to the top of the
   kale, blend on high speed till it is very pulverized. Leave the liquid
   you just made in the blender for the next step. If there is no kale
   move onto step 2 and fill blender to #4 with chard, spinach or beet
   greens


2. Use one or a combination of chard, spinach, beet greens and fill the blend to #4 on the blender gently compacting it.


3. Fill the blender with lettuce leaves to #6 gently compacting.


4. NOTE all fruit must be VERY ripe if its not ripe don’t use it you can not compensate with Agave


5. One small to medium banana


6. 1/8 pineapple to include the core, if no pineapple then use three kiwi


7. One pint (16oz) container filled with three different fruit from the list below remove stickers from fruit first


• Melon
• Grapes
• Peach/ Nectarine
• Strawberries w/calyx, blueberries, raspberries (any combination to make 16 oz)
• Plums
• Pear


8. Add water to #6 on blender


9. Add 1 cup ice to top


10. Blend only long enough to get it smooth


11. In gallon jar mix 16 oz of fresh orange juice into the smoothie

--

Victoria Boutenko is the author of the concept of the Green Smoothie she has written many books.
http://www.rawfamily.com/
Green Smoothie Revolution by Victoria Boutenko
--

Download recipes.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - October 10, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

For me birth and death always create a necessity to reflect on life's meaning. My grandson Tao was born on Wednesday, so I have been reflecting on my life, and what kind of life this new angelic being has to look forward to. Being an Activist I often think about the Native American saying that we borrow the earth from our grandkids but the way I see it our grandparents reeked the havoc that we are now trying to figure out how to clean up, live in, and change. From my vantage point it seems like more people are asking hard questions about their personal consumption choices creating a spirit of community as we try to recycle, buy local, work together to clean up the river, make our way to Green Bluff, and delve into growing our own food. I believe Tao's generation will be the first to reap the benefits of our efforts to create sense out of the chemical madness that came out of WWII. As we eat local, value gifts made by local artisans, consume less, walk and ride our bikes more, get out to community events, and spend our money at local businesses we create the community wellbeing we crave. Thanks to each and every one of you who make daily choices that will create a beautiful world for Tao.

Speaking of buying local Community Roots Market has moved back inside so come down and support the artisans, crafters, and farmers on Sundays between 11-4 located behind Fresh Abundance 2015 N Division. Bring a friend!

p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm Update Thanks to all who supported our Farm to Fork and Grape to Glass fundraising dinner. It was a fun party with wonderful local food and stellar music. The energy at the event was palpable, as we talked about how to create a community farm and farm school to train local farmers and then match them with farmland right here in Spokane. We have moved on to working through the details of creating a fair and equitable local food system. So along with training farmers we will facilitate a program that will employ low income youth to work on the farm and to market the produce to low income residents in Spokane. We believe this full circle will be a win-win as these younger members of our community learn the skills of growing and marketing food and then selling it to their neighborhoods. Two major barriers exist for low income eaters. One is that fresh produce is expensive the second is that there is very little fresh produce available for sale in these neighborhoods. We will tackle both of these by putting p.e.a.c.h. farm stands in low income neighborhoods and reducing the cost of the produce to people who use their food stamps to buy fresh local farm goods. We will also have foods produced on the farm available for on farm purchase, CSA, and through Fresh Abundance.

Buy a raffle ticket yet? It will cost a lot of money to get the new p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm set up so we will be doing on-going fundraising. Currently we are raffling off a hand made (no power tools used) replica of a Shaker no. 7 rocking chair. This chair is amazing to touch as well as a delight to the eyes. The chair was a donation from member Curtis Michael to help raise money for the farm. The value of the chair is $800 and we are raffling off 32 tickets at $25 each. So far we have sold 11 tickets. You can order a ticket with your box or stop by the store to look at the rocker and buy a ticket at the counter. Check out other one of a kind furniture made by Curtis at www.cmrfurniture.com

p.e.a.c.h. Farm Wish List We are looking for an Alice Chalmers tractor that will get converted into an electric tractor. Here is a link to a funny video that was produced by a farm that has an electric Alice Chalmers Tractor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJUtTvZQGpM&feature=player_embedded

Currently available from the Rx Café, our truly gluten free kitchen, you can now get fresh salsa, fresh cashew milk, espresso made with raw milk, organic pasteurized milk, or cashew milk, and of course Green Smoothies. Did you really think you would get away without a mention of this life enhancing delicious green drink! Yes, I am still swilling a half gallon daily. I have been exposed at least 10 times now to sick people and have yet to get ill. This is my big experiment to see if I can get through the winter without getting sick. So far so good☺

Next Green Smoothie class is at the Rx Café on October 20th at 6 PM ~ $10 for prepaid and $15 at the door. All money for classes supports our fabulous p.e.a.c.h. work on our local food system.

We are looking for volunteers to help finish painting and floor sanding the body movement/class room that is upstairs at Fresh Abundance. Once we get the painting and floor finished we will start a Saturday morning yoga class. We will also launch a series of classes taught by various members of our community on topics related to health, local food and simple living. Email Brightspirit@freshabundance.com if you want to lend a hand.

See you at Community Roots Market, Eden Brightspirit Hendrix

More On The Green Smoothie

Download receipes.

P1 Do The Green Smoothie

Download receipes.

P2 Do The Green Smoothie

Download receipes.

P3 Do The Green Smoothie

Download receipes.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - September 26th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Glorious weather, local food, and a half-gallon of green smoothie in my belly ~ Life is good. As my days of green smoothie accumulate I notice more changes in my health and well-being. The most curious this week is the texture of my sleep. I can only describe it as delicious. Funny how something as simple as sleep can take on a fuller, richer experience.

Just in, Fresh Abundance now has LOCAL Safe Chicken from Spring Water Farm in Deer Park. These chickens have local organic feed, space to roam and a loving family. You can taste the difference.

We are starting a new trend with this weekly news. We will feature guest writers who step in and write all or part of the weekly news.

One Mother's Thoughts
My name is Tara Foote and I have been a p.e.a.c.h board member since 1999. For this weekly news, I would like to share a personal story with you about my health and the sometimes surprising chemicals we come in contact with on a daily basis.

Although organic food and alternative healing have occupied my brain and cupboard space for well over a decade now, I have for many reasons, on several occasions, fallen prey to western medicine and even, western food, when health, culture, finances, or politeness compelled me to do so. I am not perfect. I am average, married, have three kids, a great dog, a college degree, and an unwavering passion for the Earth and mankind. I also live in a cul-de-sac, drive a mini-van and send my son to public school. I have tried very hard in the last five years to not live life frustrated about western food and medicine, but rather to focus on the good choices I do make and the positive growth that I see happening all the time in the movement. But this week something profound happened and it left me with the same itching activism that brought me to Brightspirit and p.e.a.c.h ten years ago, only this time it was personal.

Like most adults, I have had at least one nagging health issue that has, despite attempts to treat it naturally and with food, eluded my most sincere effort. In my case, I experience distressing ear infections and painful rashes that can be completely debilitating and have required me to occasionally go to the hospital. Each time it happens I become an inclusive slave to western medicine. My ear condition requires a brief yet very painful surgery each day of the acute attack and then there are the pain medications and occasional I.V.'s until the situation is under control. When it happened in March of this year, the infection quickly spread through my neck and facial bones and tissues. My ENT, who had treated me for fifteen years, was speechless. That's when they started talking about running tests. The jive was that I would have a Patch Test to see if I might be allergic to something I was consuming or coming into direct contact with. Made perfect sense to me and I wondered why we hadn't thought of that before.

Here's where it gets interesting. Having made it through the patch testing this week, I discovered that I was very allergic to four things; Nickle, Thimerosal, Propylene Glycol, and a common additive in hair conditioner called Amidoamine. The allergist informed me right away, because she knew why I had come to her office, that besides being a preservative in Vaccines, Thimerasol could only be found in a few products on the market today: one of these products was ear drops, the same drops I had religiously put in my ears for as long as I could remember to ward off any potential attack. The same was true for the Propylene Glycol, which was an ingredient in all of the creams I used to treat the strange rashes I would get. I guess the joke was on me, because I sure didn't see that one coming. I reckon the only good news is that I finally feel in charge of my health again.

As for my Nickel allergy, I am trying to view it as divine intervention. It was the most severe reaction I had and will require the most effort on my part to maintain. Let's put it this way, no more bread, no more chocolate, no more nuts of any kind, very little meat and no seafood. Many times when life has begged the question of simplicity to me, I find myself rising to the challenge in great happiness. This time it will be no different. I am up for anything. Tune in next week for a break down of products that contain Propylene Glycol.

Community Roots
We have been missing all of you at Community Roots Market on Sunday. If you want a local year-round market we need your support and attendance. Please stop by on Sundays between 11-4 located at 2015 N Division. October 4th's market will feature a workshop on how to manage your worm bin. There will be worm bins available to buy. Check out the class information on facebook~ http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/event.php?eid=138527567599

Grape to Glass & Farm to Fork fundraising dinner is next Saturday October 3rd if you haven't got your tickets yet, click here www.brownpapertickets.com/event/82261 and order them online! We are deep in the process of planning the Farm School and we need your financial support for the infrastructure of the new sprout house where thousands of bedding plants will begin their 2010 food-producing journey. We also need to buy and assemble two large greenhouses. The funds from the dinner will go to support the set up of the Farm School.

See you at the market, Brightspirit

p.e.a.c.h. Presents Farm To Fork

Our fundraiser Farm to Fork & Grape to Glass will be held on Saturday October 3rd.

The location of the event is at 2015 N Division, indoor/outdoor in the warehouse we use for Community Roots Market.

You can buy tickets here www.brownpapertickets.com/event/82261

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - September 5, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Labor Day Hours Shorter, Monday Boxes On Tuesday
With it being Labor day weekend I am going to make this short and sweet.

The Fresh Abundance store has shorter hours on Monday and will be open from 7am-5pm.  We will not be home delivering on Monday. Monday deliveries will happen on Tuesday, and Tuesday through Friday deliveries are on the usual schedule.

Green Smoothie class on Tuesday September 8th at 6 PM
There is a Green Smoothie class on Tuesday September 8th at 6 PM. Fee to attend is $10 or $15 at the door.

Community Roots Market is every Sunday 11-4

Farm School's 13 Acres
The biggest news this week is that we have found 13 acres for the Farm School to move to, more on that next week.

Happy Labor Day!
Brightspirit

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - August 29, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Community Roots Market this Sunday
Come get your bike ready for back to school with a free Bike Tune ups by Pedals2people from 10-2

Farm To Fork - October 3 from 5-9
What a crazy week. Between harvesting at the p.e.a.c.h. farm, grant writing, looking at land and seeking sponsors for Farm to Fork, our annual dinner and auction I am plum worn out. Speaking of Farm to Fork, be sure and mark your calendar for October 3 from 5-9. We will have outstanding entertainment with The Big Red Barn and fire dance troop that will perform. We will have a silent auction and a raffle with wonderful local prizes. This is a family friendly event with a dinner prepared with amazing locally grown foods.

100 mile diet challenge
Another thing that is taking up my attention is the 100 mile diet challenge http://www.spokanefoodblog.com/2009/08/19/7vs7-localvore-100-mile-challenge-round-1/ Starting Monday August 31 I will only be consuming foods and beverages that are from within a 100 mile radius of Spokane. You can follow my progress hour by hour on Jacque's blog http://freshabundance.com/freshblog/ Anyone out there have some homemade beer, mead or wine made with ALL LOCAL ingredients-yup, even the hops must be from within 100 miles. I figure the hardest things will be no coffee/beer or salt.

Rx Café Let food be thy medicine
Rx Café Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food-Hippocrates So the skinny on our gluten free kitchen is that we have formulated a basic menu of gluten free breakfast, lunch and dinner items, which you will be able to order and eat or take out. We are learning to use our equipment and should start pumping out hot delicious foods made with local ingredients during the month of September. Currently you can get espresso made with organic milk, fresh made cashew milk, local milk, or soymilk. We also have Green Smoothies and fresh made salsa.

Green Smoothies
Speaking of Green Smoothies, if you don't know yet they are my newest favorite healthy craze. The FA Team has been swilling these delightful and delicious green drinks by the gallons and we can tell you from our experience that they are addicting. They cause you to lose weight, your hair and nails to grow fast, they zip up your energy level and they give you an all around since of well-being. You can buy a 16oz size for $4.99 at our Rx Café or you can come to a class and learn how to make your own at home.

Green Smoothie class schedule---45 minute class Cost pre-register $10 (nonrefundable) or $15 at the door

• Sunday August 30th at 1PM
• Tuesday September 8th at 6PM
• Thursday September 24th at 6PM

p.e.a.c.h. farm
I'm off to harvest more food at the p.e.a.c.h. farm. See you at the market and don't forget to bring your bicycle.

Brightspirit

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - August 22, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Green Smoothies And A Healthier Immune System
I can't believe we are heading for September already. I am rushing around buying school supplies and it is hard to believe it will be cold and flu season soon. Now is the time to work on your health to be ready to fight off bad winter buggies. I think the best way we protect our families from the flu is to boost our immune system with good nutrition. I have recently discovered Green Smoothies and now believe this is one of the best ways to flood the body with nutrition. Whether you make these green drinks at home or buy them ready made at Fresh Abundance this is an amazingly easy way to get several servings of fresh vegetables fast. I have also experienced a profound side effect from drinking the green smoothies I have lost weight. I have been the same weight since I hit my mid 40's and assumed it would not budge. Wow, I don't quite get it but the green smoothie must be why because it is the only new daily habit I have added to my usual healthy eating.

Green Smoothies include spinach, kale, chard, lettuce, and other leafy greens, very ripe fruit, and purified water blended in a Vitamix. The taste is fabulous; every kid we have tested it on has smiled and asked for more. I think everyone should have a cup of Green Smoothie every morning.

Join the GREEN SMOOTHIE REVOLUTION & Learn to Make Green Smoothies
Class schedule-45 minute class
Sunday August 30th at 1PM
Tuesday September 8th at 6PM
Thursday September 24th at 6PM

Cost pre-register $10 (nonrefundable) or $15 at the door
Classes are brought to you by p.e.a.c.h. www.peachlocal.com

The Rx Cafe is gluten free and now open at 7 AM 7 days a week to serve you.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"
-Hippocrates

-Green Smoothies 16 oz $4.99--These are always ready to grab n go
-Espresso made with organic Maya Earth Coffee, Organic milk, local milk, raw milk or fresh cashew milk made in our gf kitchen.

Maya Earth Coffee
Maya Earth Coffee is grown by Mayan farmers who practice traditional farming techniques that have been passed down through generations. These farmers actively practice composting, terracing, natural pest control, and soil and water conservation. They also utilize other native technologies to grow and manage their coffee. In addition to coffee, they cultivate traditional foods such as corn, beans, herbs, and other native crops. Many still utilize the agricultural calendar, Tzolkin, which helps to preserve their cultural roots as they strive to obtain economic self-sufficiency.

Local Salsa On The Way
This next week we will be developing our own fresh salsa made with local tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic and love. We will soon have a lunch menu featuring locally grown and produced ingredients.

Community Roots Market - Pedals2People Bike Tune-ups August 30
Community Roots Market at 2015 N Division every Sunday from 11-4. Mark your calendar for Sunday August 30 for bike tune-ups by Pedals2People. Come make a donation and get your bike ready for back to school pedaling.

10-20 Acres Of Farmland Needed Soon For p.e.a.c.h. Farm School
We are aggressively looking for 10-20 acres of farmland to buy for the p.e.a.c.h. Farm School if you know of a good piece of land let me know!

The 5-Day Local Food Challenge
One last thing check out this new local food blog and join me on the 5-day local food challenge. All food consumed must be raised within a 100 mile radius. Dates of the challenge are August 31-September 4, 2009. http://www.spokanefoodblog.com

I'm off to the Fresh Abundance Gluten Free kitchen to try out some new recipes.
Till next week, eat, drink and be merry locally!
Brightspirit

RX Café Now Open - Using p.e.a.c.h. Farm School produce

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School August 10, 2009

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School is to purchase first farm land of 10 acres.

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School Needs For Next Year - 2010

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - August 15th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

All Good Stuff
OK I'm up to no good again. I wrote yet another crazy long weekly news. BUT it's all good stuff, what am I to do? Read on!

RX Café
RX Café our gluten free, espresso, green smoothie, juice bar, raw food extravaganza is coming to life. Hold on FA members and friends because we are taking you on a wild ride of green smoothies, raw dinners and edible parts yet unknown to Spokane. Not to worry, there will be plenty of healthy cooked foods too. We have named it the RX Café because we believe local healthy food is the solution to 90% of the US health problems.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"
-Hippocrates

Over the next three months we will be unrolling a plethora of palate pleasing, cell nurturing, mouth watering, essential nutrient based prepared foods. We currently have Green Smoothies. What is a Green Smoothie you ask? A Green Smoothie is a blended combination of organic greens, organic very ripe fruit and clean filtered water. The eviscerated mixture of these live foods is easily digested because the particles of green matter are tiny. Green smoothies are so YUMMY, even kids will be lining up for this brain stimulating, flu fighting concoction. You can buy it at Fresh Abundance for only $4.99 for a 16 oz cup or you can attend a class on making smoothies.

DO THE GREEN SMOOTHIE thing - Class At Fresh Abundance - Register Now - Tuesday September 8th
Tuesday September 8th at the Fresh Abundance kitchen and learn how to DO THE GREEN SMOOTHIE thing yourself at home! Register ahead of time and pay only $10 or show up last minute for $15 at the door. You too can be healthy during what is shaping up to be the worst flu season on record! Time to beef up your immune system and get in the habit of washing your hands a lot.

The Best Maya Earth Coffee At RX Café
Also in the RX Café we have taken the best coffee by Maya Earth Coffee to a new level. You thought you knew coffee, you thought you loved coffee; well we challenge you to do the Fresh Abundance COFFEE dance. We have spent hours tasting coffee and have picked the best espresso coffee. And this coffee comes straight from the Comal Cooperative in Guatemala.

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School Is Looking For 10 Acres Of Farmland
p.e.a.c.h. is looking for 10 acres of farmland. Help us find a permanent home for the p.e.a.c.h. Farm School. The land needs to be zoned Rural Traditional, have rights to water for irrigation, good soil and hopefully be on a STA bus line.

Our farm model encompasses a sustainable Permaculture farm with cows, both milk and beef, chickens for eggs and meat, produce, geothermal green house, aquaculture and vermaculture. We will make cheese and other value added products on the farm. We will be using best practices and teaching methods that build soil and strengthen the environment. This will be a closed loop system where all the farm practices work in a symbiotic relationship. We want the farm to become a vital part of the surrounding Urban area therefore our first choice for land will be as close to an urban center as we can get. Can you imagine a farm stand where you can stop on your way home from work and grab fresh veggies, milk & cheese? We can do this! If you know of land that fits this description please let us know. If this excites you please give a tax-deductible donation toward the land.

Community Roots Market - Every Sunday 11-4
Remember Community Roots Market is every Sunday from 11-4 where you can get gluten free fresh baked goods, along with produce, goat meat and more!

Till next week, LAND HO!
Brightspirit

p.e.a.c.h. Class 03, Part 1 of 3 - Gardening 101 - Cuttings, Clonings And Root Separations

p.e.a.c.h. Class 03, Part 2 of 3 - Gardening 101 - Cuttings, Clonings And Root Separations

p.e.a.c.h. Class 03, Part 3 of 3 - Gardening 101 - Cuttings, Clonings And Root Separations

p.e.a.c.h. Class 04 - Gardening 101 - Questions And Answers

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - August 7th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube


Good, Bad, Ugly & FANTASTIC

Valley Store Closed - Farm Continues
This week has been full of the good, the bad, the ugly and the fantastic. Where to start, I always think it is better to get the bad and ugly out of the way so here goes. Your support is showing as our store sales have been consistently going up (this is not the bad part). This led us to decide that we needed to drastically improve the Valley store. So we put together a plan that would include expensive expansion of cold and frozen units, expanding the inventory and adding beer and wine. To do this we needed various permits. As we perused the permits and got shuffled around through various government departments we landed in a conversation with the planning department and this is were the wheels fell off. Even though there has been a food/grocery store at this location for over 50 years it is not zoned for this use. Therefore we could not get the necessary permits to allow us to expand the store and finally make it profitable. So the sad state of affairs is that we have closed the Valley store.

What about the farm you ask with sadness. Well have no fear we will continue to finish out the farm season and with the owner permission, continue to farm there in the future.

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School Land To Be Purchased Before Winter
Ok now onto the fantastic. This change of events and the success of our season have lead us to believe we are ready to set up the farm school. For this we need land that is owned by p.e.a.c.h. So we have launched the Farm School fundraising campaign to raise at least $50K for the down payment on farmable land. To kick it off we have a commitment from an avid supporter for $10,000 so we are 1/5th of the way there!!! We are looking for farmable land with good soil, with or without buildings, near a bus line, with a good source of water. We need to pick the land before the snow flies.

LOCAL Feast Dinner - October 3, 6-9pm - Mark Your Calendars
To raise money for the Farm School and other p.e.a..c.h. projects we will be holding our first annual LOCAL Feast Dinner and action on October 3rd from 6-9 so mark your calendar so you can join us for an evening of great fun. We are looking for items for our silent auction if you can offer a service certificate or item for the auction contact us at peach@freshabundance.com

Fresh Abundance Deli (Gluten Free) Opens Tuesday August 11th
More good news, our gluten free deli just got the stamp of approval from the health department. We can now serve coffee, juice, green smoothies, soup, sandwiches, baked goods, pizza, etc. We are creating our menu and ordering supplies. We will be serving juice and coffee by Tuesday August 11th.

p.e.a.c.h. Green Drinks 5-9 Tuesday August 11th (21 and over) - Fresh Abundance Warehouse
Speaking of Tuesday August 11th p.e.a.c.h. will be hosting Spokane Green Drinks from 5-9 this Tuesday. This will be in the Market warehouse behind Fresh Abundance located at 2015 N. Division. Fresh Abundance is providing snacks and you can purchase your favorite wine, beer or cider from Fresh Abundance and join us out back for Green conversation while you drink your green drink (this is 21 and over).

Ok so are you still with me, we still have a ways to go. I told you this was an intense week. I realize that reading all this is hard but imagine my life, I lived through all this so please keep reading.

p.e.a.c.h At Magic Lantern Friday August 7
Today Friday August 7th we will be set up at the Magic Lantern Theater at 25 W Main St downtown for the movie Food Inc. Fresh Abundance/p.e.a.c.h. will have an informational table set up from 5:30 to 9 with snacks and a display of foods from many of our local farms.

Community Roots Market - Every Sunday 11-4 - Special Auguest 30 Live Musice, Bike Tune Ups, Children's Activities, Lectures
Community Roots Market is every Sunday 11-4 located at Fresh Abundance 2015 N Division St. We will be having a bigger then usual market on August 30 with live music, free bike tune ups by pedals2people, children's activities and lectures.

New Neighborhood Farmers Market - North Of Francis
At  p.e.a.c.h. we also work to enable other projects that increase our local food supply. I have been working with Catherine Donnelly to encourage her and other far north side backyard growers to launch a neighborhood farmers market of their own. They are excited to invite you to the newest market in Spokane. The market is every Wednesday from 5 - 8 p.m. at "The Big Red Barn" 7316 North Smith Street, Spokane North of Francis St.

Hey look you made it to the end you deserve a local treat. You could have blueberries, melon, peaches, and the list goes on and on. I love this time of year.

Till next week eat LOCAL,
Brightspirit

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - August 1, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube


Summer's Fresh Local Produce Is Here
Hope your sitting somewhere cool drinking something fun. The upside of all this heat is that the tomatoes and peppers love the heat. The local farmers have been bringing in load after load of the best fresh produce, and I have fallen into my summer time habit of lightly sauteing summer squash, onion and garlic, sometimes adding potatoes and tomatoes to the mix. I love habits of each season. I look forward to making my favorite peach pie from the local peaches now available. Oh yum, the joy of summer for all the senses.

Pickling cucumbers can be hard to find but we have them on the p.e.a.c.h. farm. So if you are looking for pickling cucumbers to make your favorite homemade pickles then place your order with us and we will pick them to your specifications. To order, either send an email to fresh@freshabundance.com. Large $2.00 per pound or $90.00 for a 50 pound box Medium $2.75 per pound or $125.00 for a 50 pound box Tiny ones contact us for a price

We also have 39 kinds of tomatoes! Be sure to visit our p.e.a.c.h. farm stand at Community Roots Market each Sunday to get your favorite tomato or to try something new.

Fresh Abundance hours have changed for both of our locations:
Division Fresh Abundance open DAILY -- 7 AM to 9 PM
Valley Fresh Abundance open M, T, TH, F, S, S --- Noon to 7 PM  (Closed
Wednesdays)

Valley Store
Also, we are trying to figure out what we are doing with the Valley store as we are trying to get the Spokane County Planning department to allow us to have a regular full grocery at the farm. Currently our zoning does not allow for a full grocery store so we will see where this goes over the next few weeks. This means the shopping experience at the Valley is a bit wonky right now while we decide how to use this location. We got the valley location for the farmland, which is working out great. We feel the store either needs to get much better or become a farm store only. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

As always, thanks for your LOCAL support.

I'm off to run through the sprinkler!
brightspirit

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - July 26, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Summer - The Heart Of Local Produce Season
This summer is speeding right along, launching us into the heart of the local produce season. It is an amazing dance to serve our local farmers. To make this all come together takes multiple phone calls to communicate what the farm will have and how we can help them move their perishable produce in a timely manner. Then their harvest must get to us so we can get it in the boxes all five days we deliver each week. You can then multiply that by 50 farmers and wow what a juggling act. Over the last five years we have built a dynamic network to serve our local farmers and get their food to your table.

Local Growers Get Good Price - Healthier & Better Taste - Cuts Out Wasteful Long Haul Trucking
We give the local grower a good price and get you a good deal as we cut out the long haul trucking, warehousing, and middle men of the current industrial food chain. Local small farm grown farm goods still cost more than the industrially produced foods from large chain grocery stores. Our government subsidizes industrial agriculture and these subsidies do not trickle down to the small local farmer. None of the local small farms we work with are getting rich from the prices they charge and many of them barely get by. While you pay more for this local food you also get more as the food tastes better and is grown on healthy soil, which produces healthier produce. Buying local strengthens community health and connects us to the people who produce the foods we thrive on. As you purchase from Fresh Abundance you keep these local farms in business ensuring accessibility to the freshest safely grown produce, meats and dairy for years to come.

LOCAL Organic Lapin Cherries on sale - 20 pound case for $50
This week one of our local farmers needed to move cherries. We have 20 pound cases of LOCAL Organic Lapin Cherries on sale for $50. These sweet cherries are perfect for drying, canning, preserving, or simply eating and are available now at the division store.

LOCAL Egg and Fresh Chicken Update
We are currently working with a couple of farms that have young laying chickens and meat birds we hope that some time this fall we will finally again have fresh local chickens and eggs at Fresh Abundance.

p.e.a.c.h. Farm Update
The sugar snap peas are finished and the pea plants are now being readied for saving pea seeds. We are also collecting calendula and nasturtium seeds this week. We are harvesting the first of the peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers. We had our first work crew from the Department of Corrections come out and pull lots of weeds. The teens from juvenile justice are still trickling in and we have several teens and young adults from the next generation summer jobs youth program helping grow food. Remember you can buy produce from the p.e.a.ch. farm at Community Roots Market on Sundays 11-4. Donations we are currently seeking are rain gutters to put in a rainwater catchment system, a tractor, and a van for hauling produce to farm stands.

p.e.a.c.h. Red Barn Soiree - September 26th
We are working hard on the Red Barn Soiree, our annual p.e.a.c.h. fundraising dinner and evening of fun that will happen on the p.e.a.c.h. farm on September 26th. In a couple of weeks we will begin to sell tickets and gather auction items for the silent auction. We are currently looking for local businesses that will underwrite the event. If you know of a local business that is a good candidate to underwrite our event please send an email to Brightspirit@freshabundance.com

Community Roots Market
Remember Community Roots Market is every Sunday 11-4

Bicycle
If you were out on Saturday evening in downtown Spokane did you see the 200 bicyclist riding together have a whooping good time? I am so happy to see Spokane move to being a bicycle lively town.

Till next week stay local.
Brightspirit

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - July 18, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

You might have noticed that I did not send out the news last week. Between harvesting and teaching on the p.e.a.c.h. farm, running Community Roots Market and riding my bicycle, I lost track of time.

For most of my younger life I ran many miles several times a week but about three years ago I started having knee and hip pain so I stopped running. Rheumatoid arthritis runs in my family. I was sad to give up running, but I had no choice. So for three years I kept thinking that I would take up bicycle riding. Working a rigorous schedule and my fear of creating pain worse than I already had kept me from getting started. This year during bicycle to work week I started riding five miles a day. To my delight my knee and hip pain went away. This is not what I expected at all. Now I have been riding for a couple of months: some days riding forty miles, most days riding five to ten miles. I am pain free for the first time in three years.

I do my best everyday to take charge of my health and I am constantly hearing from many Fresh Abundance members that you are trying to do the same. I believe this is a turning point in human health where we have come to terms with the fact that there are no easy answers and no pills that FIX the diseases nearly everyone has these days. I get frequent requests for information on health issues and I believe we can each be a powerful force for changing our own health.

On Thursday evening July 30 from 6pm-8pm I am launching a Lecture series called Take Charge of Your Health. The first lecture focuses on The Biology of Dairy, Soy Milk & Dairy Alternatives and will cover the following topics:
- History of dairy
- Pasteurized milk
- Raw milk
- Goat milk
- Powdered milk
- Pasteurization
- Dairy cows
- Hormones & antibiotics
- Dairy feed then and now
- Kefir Grains
- Soy milk, rice milk, nut milk
- Calcium
- Vitamin D

This lecture is about the facts. This is a non-judgmental lecture with the goal of giving you real answers so you can make real decisions about your health. This lecture is open to the public for $25 per person or at a reduced rate of $20 for current Fresh Abundance members who pre-register.

You can pre-register by mailing a check for $20 made out to Eden B. Hendrix to:Fresh Abundance
Attn: Brightspirit
2015 N. Division
Spokane, WA 99205

Hey did you notice the big article on Fresh Abundance/p.e.a.c.h. in the food section on Wednesday in the Spokesman? There have been a lot of new faces in the store checking out the great local food system work we are doing. It is exciting to have this level of recognition after working on local food issues for so many years. Every purchase from Fresh Abundance is a vote for our local farmers. Together we are doing our part to get more local food consumed right here in river city!

With the recent rain and hot sun the weeds are out of control on the p.e.a.c.h. farm. If anyone is interested in getting their hands in the dirt to support local food please contact brightspirit@freshabundance.com

Brightspirit

Volunteer at p.e.a.c.h. Permaculture Farm

Hey all,

I hope you are having a great summer. I know we are enjoying life out at the valley permaculture farm.

Right now there are peas, salad, arugula, kale, chard, basil, parsley, dill, and more to harvest.

There are hops and flowers to transplant, an arbor and planters to build, and weeds to pull. At the rate things are growing, it can be hard to get ahead. If we ever do get ahead I have plans for two more herb spiral hills, a worm farm, and a chicken coop.

Anybody interested in any of these things, please give me a call or come on out. I will be working Monday through Thursday this week, daylight 'till dark. And somebody else will probably be here for the weekend.

If anybody has access to a rototiller or a weed eater which we could use for a couple of days, that would be much appreciated too.

You can email me back at nextleveld@gmail.com or call anytime (509) 368-0864.

Thank you,
p.e.a.c.h. Farmer
Dave Weber, a.k.a. davoo

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - July 5th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Happy Birthday to Fresh Abundance! 

We turned five years old this week. We are here to stay to build our community food supply, and for the first time ever we will harvest an item or two for the weekly box from the p.e.a.c.h. farm.

It is exciting to support local farmers, and to become yet another farm bringing food to local plates. You will now find p.e.a.c.h. farm produce at Fresh Abundance stores, and at Community Roots Market each Sunday 11-4 located at 2015 N Division.

Every time you shop at Fresh Abundance or buy from the p.e.a.c.h. farm you support the following p.e.a.c.h. programs and projects.


p.e.a.c.h. Programs and Projects

PEACH Permaculture Farm Apprentice Program
This program trains apprentices into farmers and then matches them with land from the Abundant Harvest Farmland Trust. We select folks for the program who are committed to staying in our Spokane community and working on our local food system These farmers will become trusted, skilled food producers enabling the fresh future and well being of our community.

Farm HANDS
This program brings a diversity of hands to the land to grow local food. Farm Hands will be provided by teens and adults doing community service, folks on public assistance, service learning students from universities and public schools, selected inmates on work release, and local volunteers. Farm hands provide a positive contribution to our local food system while they acquire valuable skills and inspiration for growing their own food.

GEO-Thermal Greenhouse
We are constructing a prototype of a small food growing structure that will allow a family to grow some of their fresh food year round in our cold climate without using grid power.

Annual Tomato Plant Give-Away
In the spring we grow several thousand tomato plants on our p.e.a.c.h. Permaculture Farm. We give these plants to low income families with a goal of encouraging these folks to grow their own food. We select seeds that can be easily saved and we pass this information along with the gift of these plants.

LOCAL Safe Farmer Certification 
Our program privately certifies local farmers that are using organic methods and sustainable farming practices. This certification gives local consumers confidence and allows these producers access to the vast Fresh Abundance marketing network.

Abundant Harvest Farmland Trust 
We actively acquire land through purchase via grant funding, willed estates, generous gifts and fundraising. This property is maintained by the p.e.a.c.h. Farmland Trust, which protects it from development and preserves it as an agricultural resource.

Community Roots Market
We run a year round, indoor/outdoor, buy-local farmers market. This venue provides access to low cost vending for local farmers, back yard gardeners, artists, and crafters.

Till next week - BUY LOCAL, Brightspirit

p.e.a.c.h. Class 02, Part 1 of 3 - Spelt, Emmer, Camelina by René Featherstone

Spelt, Emmer, Camelina Part 1 of 3 - Heritage Grain & Oil Seed Trends In Europe. René Featherstone, agricultural journalist and partner in Lents Spelt Farms of Marlin, Washington, in early 2009 spent a month traveling around Germany to interview growers, chefs, researchers, marketers, and retailers about the ancient grains; spelt, emmer farro, and oil seed camelina. Presented at Community Roots Market.

p.e.a.c.h. Class 02, Part 2 of 3 - Spelt, Emmer, Camelina by René Featherstone

Spelt, Emmer, Camelina Part 2 of 3 - Heritage Grain & Oil Seed Trends In Europe by René Featherstone

p.e.a.c.h. Class 02, Part 3 of 3 - Spelt, Emmer, Camelina by René Featherstone

Spelt, Emmer, Camelina Part 3 of 3 - Heritage Grain & Oil Seed Trends In Europe by René Featherstone

PEACH Class 01 - Spelt, Presented by René Featherstone

An introduction to Spelt - a heritage grain that can be used like wheat. Presented at Community Roots Market. The rest of the presentation is in additional movies about Heritage Grain & Oil Seed Trends In Europe. René, agricultural journalist and partner in Lents Spelt Farms of Marlin, Washington, in early 2009 spent a month traveling around Germany to interview growers, chefs, researchers, marketers, and retailers about the ancient grains; spelt, emmer farro, and oil seed camelina.

PEACH Farm News #13 - June 25, 2009

PEACH Permaculture Farm Weekly News #13 - June 25, 2009. Last plantings, thoughts on visiting other permaculture farms in Oregon, harvesting has started - luttuce, beets. Chard and kale soon. Hay for mulch.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - June 27th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog - For the latest Fresh Abundance & Peach news Including recent farm movies.

PEACH on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Here we are, farmers markets in full swing, local cherries and strawberries arriving daily, and raspberries soon to follow. Warm days, schools out; this is the time of year we all wait for.

The PEACH Farm is lush and producing kales, collards, and lettuce. The field is finally planted and we can look forward to years of abundance and learning on our Permaculture farm.

Stop by Community Roots Market on Sunday 11-4 at 2015 N Division and buy from the PEACH Farm along with other locally farmed goodies. Bring a drum or instrument or a couple of sticks and join the music circle that runs from 1-4.

OK, so this is short and sweet but I have to ride my bike in the sunshine.

Till next week BUY LOCAL,
brightspirit

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School News #12 - June 17, 2009

p.e.a.c.h. Farm School Weekly News #12 - June 17, 2009. Summer solstice, final weeks of planting, hawk friends, pumpkins, blueberries, mulch.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - June 20th 2009

Bringing Local Food to Local People http://www.freshabundance.com
Boxes -
http://www.freshabundance.com/index.php?main_page=infopages&pages_id=19
Jacque's Blog - http://freshabundance.com/freshblog
PEACH Blog - http://PEACHLocal.blogspot.com/

Last year I committed that this year would be the year that I would really start riding my bike. I don't think anyone took that very seriously but I will have you know I rode my bike from the South Hill to Evergreen and 32nd in the Valley on Friday. You ask why I would make such a trek? That is where the PEACH Permaculture Farm is, and I was headed to harvest the very first foods EVER to be produced by our farm project. Can I say this was an exciting day for me? Maybe I should say it again, IT WAS A VERY EXCITING DAY FOR ME! Not only did I ride my bike very far, I got to experience a dream come true. I am a mere activist, and as an activist I want to see active things happen that I believe in. I am an activist for local food, local community, and local economic stability. I believe the biggest things we can do to improve our community, economic viability, and environmental stabilization is to eat local. Think about it, everybody eats. As we get more land into local safe food production then the whole tide turns. Yes, I guess I am shouting! I will step back with a smile on my face and know that today we made a giant leap forward in our quest for local food for every local plate.

If you are committed to your local food system then here are all the ways I see that you can effectively participate in order of importance.

1) Grow your own food even a little bit makes a difference. Imagine if every one of our half million population grew a tomato plant. Each tomato plant could produce 100 pounds of tomatoes so that is 50,000,000 pounds of tomatoes produced-THAT'S AMAZING. Okay so back to reality, the idea is that if you grow some of your food you make a major contribution to your personal wallet and taste buds, but also to your community.

2) Buy at Community Roots Market & other local markets. When you buy direct from a local farmer or product producer this gets the money directly into their pocket and you know you helped someone local whom you got to know. This exchange cuts out the middleman and keeps most of the money in our community.

3) Buy from Fresh Abundance LOCAL & Organic Foods where we work with over 60 local farmers who only want to sell wholesale so won't come to the market. By purchasing through us you have the guarantee that we will bring everything local we can get our hands on to you, along with creating a fulfilling work environment for our employees and putting the money we take in back into our local economy.

Buy LOCAL, love your community, tantalize your taste buds...JOY!

Speaking of delicious food, hope you're enjoying the local garlic scapes in last weeks and this weeks boxes. Here's another yummy recipe to try.

RECIPE
Garlic Scape Frittata
1 cup Garlic Scapes, chopped
1 cup Green Onions, chopped
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 cup water
4 large Fresh Eggs
salt & pepper to taste

Place garlic scapes and green onion in a 10-inch skillet with 1 teaspoon oil, water and a pinch of salt.

Cook covered over medium heat till tender, about five minutes.

Beat eggs with a bit of salt & pepper.

Add rest of oil to skillet, when it is hot, shake skillet to spread greens evenly then add eggs. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until top is set. Cut into wedges and serve hot or cold.

Enjoy!

I'm off to Hula Hoop and of course BUY LOCAL! See you Sunday at the market,
brightspirit