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

PEACH Farm News #11 - June 9, 2009

Hundreds of strawberry plants arrive and are planted. Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes. More mass plantings.

Community Roots: Growing local food from local hands for local people.

Click here to view and rate our National Geographic Idea entry. You will have to register (name and email address) to rate our entry. Ten years ago a group of moms dedicated to nurturing healthier, safer food for Spokane founded a nonprofit and started building relationships with local farmers, buying local organic/safe food, and selling this nutritious food to our community. This year we started a two-acre Permaculture farm where we teach farmers, gardeners, and youth how to grow safe food, save seeds, and build soil. By producing food locally we eliminate environmental impacts of long-haul trucking, and by Permaculture organic farming we respect the eco-system and build soil while growing the most nutritious, delicious food, without harmful chemicals. Our “Green Effect” includes three small steps of building a vibrant local food community by uniting a diversity of hands to increase production of local food for local consumption: Hire a facilitator to organize labor, direct farm hands, and create an interactive learning environment that nurtures meaningful relationships with our food, our community, and our environment. Bring a diversity of volunteer farm hands (teens/adults doing community service, folks on public assistance, service learning students, work release inmates, community volunteers) to the farm to experience planting and harvesting, learn valuable skills, and be inspired to grow food. Launch a local media campaign to show people how to grow food, and to show the importance of growing local food by creating an educational website; participating at 20 community events; creating six, ten minute videos for airing on local public access TV and website; and by outfitting farm hands with locally printed, organic T-shirts to promote the movement. comments brightspirit June 09, 2009, 02:33PM We love what we do to bring local food to our Spokane community e1 June 09, 2009, 08:25PM Great idea - local food grown by local people for local people. Everyone can do this and have fun growing all sorts of delicious food for everyone. Making the world a better place for everyone - yes!

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - June 6th, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

One Mother's Thoughts

I have a lot to smile about this week. The LOCAL farm season has begun! Bring on the LOCAL lettuce, Japanese cucumber, and salad mix. The bat (farmer) phone has been ringing off the hook as our LOCAL farmers begin the scramble of getting their fresh treasures to your fork. Next on the smile meter, under our PEACH program Everybody Grow Food, we had our first annual plant giveaway. For those of you who are new or have not made the connection, P.E.A.C.H. is the non-profit parent of Fresh Abundance LOCAL & Organic Foods.

P.E.A.C.H. MISSION
P.E.A.C.H. is dedicated to creating a sustainable local economy and increasing food security with the production of fresh local safe food, and making this food accessible for all residents, regardless of income.

I learned this week that when people pick up a tomato plant, they smile. We helped hundreds of low-income people, many with children, pick-out free plants to take home. We also let them know that if they save their tomato seeds they will be able to start their plants from seed next year. I can't think of a better way to increase our LOCAL food supply than by getting everyone to grow some food, and what a bonus if they can grow tomatoes for years to come by saving their seeds.

COMMUNITY ROOTS MARKET GOES WEEKLY on JUNE 14th from 11-4
Buy LOCAL and know your LOCAL producers who create the products you love to use the most. Make the market a regular part of your shopping week to support a vibrant community. We have many wonderful local farmers and producers who have committed to showing up each week. In addition to supporting ALL THINGS LOCAL, visit the market to enjoy LIVE music and take part in the weekly hoola hoop at 1pm with prizes and all. Don't have a hoola hoop? Well guess what, you can buy one at the market. Hoola hooping is a great way to build your core muscles the same muscles you use in yoga, palates etc. Come join the fun and get fit. I have been practicing everyday; let's see who can beat me.

WHO'S YOUR LOCAL FARMER?
Introducing Quail Ridge Ranch & Harvey Creek Boer Goats, two LOCAL farmers who happen to be friends and will share a space at Community Roots Market. These two LOCAL producers will be at every market. Stop by and tell them you are glad they are making the trek from Fruitland Washington.

Harvey Creek Boer Goats will bring to the market each week a wide variety of frozen cuts of goat meat: ground burger, country breakfast sausage, sweet Italian sausage, steaks, chops, roasts, kebobs, and stew meat. For opening day of the market, they will be bringing spinach, lettuce, radishes, green onions, arugula, and rhubarb.

Quail Ridge Ranch will be offering Homemade Jellies made from some of our local wild berries. They are introducing Gluten Free Breads, snacks and individual cakes for those of us who are wheat intolerant. Rhubarb is in season and they'll have some heritage rhubarb, radishes, and other fresh vegetables if ready.

FRESH NUT MILK RECIPE
This is a follow up on the milk write up I did several weeks ago. Soy Milk, Rice Milk, and any aseptic containers sitting on a store shelf are dead food. Yes we do sell it but it is a bridge food so that you can come in and find what you are accustomed to then we can have your ear so you can move to better ideas about how to eat live food!

Nut milk is SO easy to make so why buy dead nut/rice/soy milk etc when you can make it yourself for cheaper with no aseptic container to through in your trash. Plus, it tastes so much better. Cut your trash bill, cut your food bill and feed your body live food!

2 cups raw organic almonds, soaked in fresh water for 24-48 hours (rinsing
water periodically)
4 cups fresh water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon agave nectar

After the almonds are done soaking, rinse, and place them into a blender with 4 cups fresh water, blend for several minutes until fully smooth. Pour almond milk through a cheesecloth over a large measuring cup or bowl, and allow to drain. Use your hands to help "milk" the last of the liquids from the cheesecloth. To the strained milk, add vanilla extract and agave nectar, whisk well. Refrigerate until cool. Use for cereals, smoothies, or with organic chocolate cookies. It is surprisingly good, and satisfying to know how your "milk" has been processed, and what ingredients have been used.

VOLUNTEER
We are looking for more volunteers on the farm on Saturdays between 10 and 2 so that we can have a better mix of teen to other volunteers. These kids can be a handful and we want them to experience not only getting their hands in the dirt, but the feeling of being with well rounded folks who love the idea of LOCAL food. This is a great way to advance the well being of the at risk youth who are part of your community.

SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD
Remember that when you shop at Fresh Abundance, order online, and buy from vendors at Community Roots Market your money goes back into your community in the form of all our non-profit work.

If you love what we do, and you do charitable giving please consider P.E.A.C.H. If you use the charitable giving work out of your paycheck please give me a call so I can help you get it set up so you can give to P.E.A.C.H. Also, we are now asking our avid supports to donate by setting up automatic withdrawals to P.E.A.C.H. from your account each month. These consistent smaller donations help us with the regular occurring expenses like rent, phone & lights. If you would like to set up giving in one of these ways I have mentioned then just give me a call 435-5210. Thanks for supporting the P.E.A.C.H. in any way you can.

I'm off to the FBC's annual Prom Full Moon Bike Ride ☺

Till Next week,
Eden Brightspirit Hendrix

PEACH Permaculture Farm News - #10 - June 3, 2009

PEACH Permaculture Farm Weekly News #10 - June 3, 2009. Raised beds, blue berries, mulch, first lettuce

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - May 30, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

One Mother's Thoughts
This week my husband put up the clothesline and a note on the dryer saying that it was unplugged and not available till late fall. I love the smell of clothes fresh off the line. It is nice to know that a warm season of no static cling is here. In looking at companies that promote fabric softeners, I am often amazed how advertisers use my mothering instincts against me. Like all mothers, I want to take good loving care of my children. I want my family to be healthy and happy. As a good mother I have spent years diligently doing laundry, lovingly folding and putting away my kids clothes. When it comes to fabric softener sheets and liquids, the packaging has references to spring breezes and teddy bears. Of course I want fresh smelling clothes and safe feeling stuffys for my kids.

Here is what is actually in fabric softeners: alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, camphor, benzyl alcohol, limonene, ethyl acetate, pentane, and chloroform.

Here are some of the effects of these chemicals:
-cause central nervous system disorders, headaches, and loss of muscle
coordination;
-irritate mucous membranes and impair respiratory function;
-cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or drowsiness;
-cause liver or kidney damage;
-cause skin disorders and allergic reactions;
-cause cancer

I think it would be far more appropriate to replace the teddy bear with a skull and cross bones. If your family has allergies, skin problems, or asthma then toxic laundry products should be first on the list to be booted from your home. Here is a link to another mothers ideas on this. http://mommyfootprint.com/dryer-sheets-fabric-softner-a-household-toxin/. At Fresh Abundance we carry non-toxic enzyme based cleaners that you can use with confidence. If you want your clothes to smell spring fresh just hang them out to dry in the sunshine.

ON THE FARM
If you have time to volunteer anytime this next week it is all hands on deck as we scurry to get the plants in the ground. We need most of the seeds and bedding plants in the ground if we hope to have a crop from them. Be sure to check out the farm video on the farm blog you can link to the blog through the PEACH web site www.peachlocal.com. In addition to helping hands, we are also looking for any gardening supplies including the flimsy plastic pots and ponies from the plants you are currently putting in your landscape and garden. We also need two heavy-duty wheelbarrows, shovels, trowels, garden gloves and kneepads.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Community Roots Market June 14th 11-4 Tell everyone that your LOCAL market will be open EVERY SUNDAY from then on. Come and BUY LOCAL from venders while you enjoy local music and a vibrant market atmosphere.

Barn Dance on the Farm September 26th
We will host our annual, not to be missed because it is so much fun, PEACH fundraiser. Currently we are collecting items for our silent auction that will take place at the event. If you or your business would like to donate an item or service or would like to be a sponsor please contact Brightspirit at 509-435-5210 or Brightspirit@freshabundance.com

DONATIONS
We have collected about $200 of the $1000 needed for the BIG Community Roots Market banner that will hang on Division please be sure to give to the jar at the register or send a check to help us meet this goal. To create a strong market we need to get the market in the minds of regular Spokane folks. The car count on Division past the market is 40,000 a day. We need to get this sign up so everyone in Spokane will know where they can BUY LOCAL!!!

WORK PLACE GIVING
Does the place you work have a program for you to give charitable donations through payroll deductions? Please consider giving to P.E.A.C.H. Even if you don稚 use this form of giving I am trying to get invited to work place events so that I can talk about the work of P.E.A.C.H. If you would like to give to us through your work place giving or host a PEACH info forum at your work site please contact me 435-5210 brightspirit@freshabundance.com

PLANT SALE
We have a great selection of Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Kale, and Basil in stores now! All the proceeds go to support the PEACH Permaculture Farm!

PLANT GIVE AWAY
We have several thousand plants that we are giving away to low-income folks. If you are on food stamps stop by the Division store and we will give you plants so you can grow your own food. We are also looking for community gardens, food pantries, church groups or anyone who works with low-income community members to help us give these food plants away. The more of us that grow food, the stronger our local food shed gets!

Till Next Week - Stay LOCAL,
Eden Brightspirit Hendrix

PEACH Farm News #08 - May 19, 2009

PEACH Farm News #08, Basil, Deer Fence, Peas coming up, 10 Dwarf fruit trees planted.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - May 23, 2009

Fresh Abundance
Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

If you don't like your reality, change it. - Richard Bandler

Each change that I embrace moves me forward, and each change that we make for Fresh Abundance leads us to success.

As many of you know we have closed our store on the south hill. We originally leased the 25th location to move the small home delivery packing operation out of my living room. We did not expect that the home delivery would grow SO FAST, and after only a year and a half we had no choice but to find a larger space.

We still held a lease for the south store, and so we turned this tiny, off-the-beaten path, in the back of a building, buried in a neighborhood location into a grocery store. The long and short of it is that the space was too small, and could not easily be found. So after struggling for the last year and a half to get enough shoppers to try and pay the bills we are closing it down. Although we are sad to leave the neighborhood, we are excited to focus our energy and resources on what is working well so that we can continue to do the most good in our community. You can continue to support our wonderful community building work by shopping at our Division or Valley stores, by getting home delivery, or by becoming an active member of Fresh Abundance (dues support P.E.A.C.H.).

COMMUNITY ROOTS MARKET
Mark your calendar for June 14th when Community Roots Market goes to a weekly Sunday market. Join us from 11-4 to kick off a great season of supporting LOCAL producers.

P.E.A.C.H. FARM UPDATE
Lots is happening on the farm right now and we are looking for at least 4 volunteers and 2 heavy duty wheelbarrows on the farm for next Saturday between 10-2:30. Come get your hands dirty to help build your community.

HOLIDAY HOURS & DELIVERY SCHEDULE
The Division store will be open from 10-4 on Memorial Day for any last minute shopping needs. Monday deliveries will be made on Tuesday. Tuesday-Friday deliveries are scheduled as normal.

Next week I will return to discuss everyday exposure to toxics by informing you about dryer sheets. You know the ones with teddy bears and spring breezes.

Till Next Week Stay LOCAL,
Eden Brightspirit Hendrix

PEACH Farm News #07 - May 13, 2009

PEACH Farm News #07, Sprinklers, Planting cucumbers, melons, Greenhouse, Fense, Raised Beds.

Bedding Plant Sale & P.E.A.C.H. Farm Tour

Mark your calendar for two sustainability events this weekend brought to you by P.E.A.C.H.-People for Environmental Action & Community Health is a decade old tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit, dedicated to creating a "BUY LOCAL" economy by connecting LOCAL foods & goods with LOCAL people. Join us on the farm, or at the market for all things local.

P.E.A.C.H. Permaculture Farm Tour & PLANT SALE - Saturday May 16th from 10-5 Stop by the farm for a tour of what it takes to set up a permaculture farm. We will have a large selection of Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper and Basil plant varieties for sale. All proceeds from the plant sale go to support P.E.A.C.H. programs.

*Directions to the farm:
Take I-90 to the Evergreen exit
Go South on Evergreen to 32nd Ave
Turn left on 32nd Ave
Go 1/10 of a mile.
You will see the farm on your right.
Turn on Best Rd and park at the Fresh Abundance farm store.

Community Roots Market - Sunday May 17th from 11-4

The Community Roots Farmers Market is always held at Fresh Abundance Division
We're at 2015 N. Division Street

For more information contact Lisa@Freshabundance.com
or call 509-714-9880

Check here for the latest update.

For a printable flyer for the Community Roots Market to place at your work, on your fridge or maybe on your cat? Well then, CLICK HERE.

Children's Activity Center 11-2
Suggest donation to P.E.A.C.H. is $5 for this workshop

Organic Gardening Class 10 AM
Back by popular demand Soil 101 How to care for your soil community and harvest the best tasting veggies.
$10 Suggested Donation

Live LOCAL Music
11-12: Michaelyn (acoustic guitar)
12-2: Drum Circle put on by Community Toots Marker
2-4: The III Kings (family friendly hip hop)

MUSICIANS: Looking for more local musicians to play at the market. Contact Lisa if you would like to come down and play lisa@freshabundance.com

VENDORS:
Hear about what is new at the P.E.A.C.H. farm. Come sign up to be a volunteer! Come by Garden Bedding Plants

Slide Sideways - Original hand screen-printed goods and artwork. Check out the goods at www.slidesideways.etsy.com These folks are the graphic design artist that work with Fresh Abundance & P.E.A.C.H. if you like our new look these are the folks responsible for it. If you need graphic design work you can reach them at wearesliding@gmail.com

Michaelyn & Shawna - Handcrafted apparel, bags, blown glass, and much more.

Susie David's Cattle Company LLC - Will have grilled sausages, frozen low fat ground beef & other cuts, frozen sausages, hot coffee & chocolate for sale.

Kensho Designs - Will be selling handmade market bags and organic cotton clothing.

Arabesque Bakery - Delicious breads, pastries, and savory goodies.

Earth Designed Cosmetics - Handmade lotions and creams.

Artful Spirit - Drums, recycled art, jewelry, etc. Get a sneak peak at www.sandyartfulspirit.com.

Dancing Chicken Studio - Catherine (Olason) Gregorak and Mark Easton are artists who create with a variety of media in their studio, including paintings, ceramic tile, & sculpture. Check out Mark's art on line www.markeastonart.com

Earth Beads - Handmade jewelry focused on natural stones.

Coffee Social - Coffee Social, your local organic cafe, will be serving really good organic, fair trade coffee and organic tea, and selling whole bean coffee. Coffee Social opened in September just a stone's throw from the Division Street Fresh Abundance and serves up really yummy organic cafe fare, all made in-house from scratch, seven days a week. Stop by and say hi! Located at 113 W Indiana Ave. Take a look online at www.coffeesocial.net.

Patriotic Motors Electric -An electric conversion shop, converting gasoline vehicles to battery electric, will have a booth at the market with information about this exciting topic.

Alma Libre Designs - One of a kind photography, jewelry, and fabric creations.

The French Quarter - Utilizing ingredients from local growers, or fruits and herbs they grow in our own back yards, the French Quarter's goal is to provide the downtown community with locally produced gourmet specialties of the highest quality. Supporting sustainable agriculture and our own hometown is the focus of The French Quarter. Located at 1311 W. Sprague. Check them out at www.myfrenchquarter.com.

AppleRock Farms - Come and see what these local farmers will have available.

Ty - Will be offering his massage services.

Thistledown Shetlands & Wools - Hand spun wool from their own Shetland sheep. Will also have yarn, hats, scarves, and purses for sale. Get a preview at http://www.thistledownshetlands.com

Blue Button Apparel - Organic and Fair Trade bags that have been screen printed.

Tresia - Artist selling pottery, dolls, paintings and other fun things.

Shutterfly Kisses - Photographer showing and selling photos. Check out her website at www.yourphotographystudio.com

Babelicious Handmade sugar scrubs and bath soaks.

Cyrielle Handmade jewelry.

Polly & Ester One of a kind jewelry, crafts, art, and soaps.

Glass Gods Hand blown glass art

Chrysalis Farm Bedding Plants & local seeds

Earth Beads Handmade jewelry focused on natural stones.

Alma Libre Designs One of a kind photography, jewelry, hula hoops, and fabric creations.

Delovely Beads Handmade gemstone and glass bead jewelry.

Urban Stitches Handmade dog apparel.

Tresia Artist selling pottery, dolls, paintings and other fun things.

Alex & Ariel Handmade jewelry

STAY TUNED MORE WILL BE ADDED:)
Check here for the latest update.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - May 9th, 2009

Fresh Abundance
Bringing Local Food to Local People

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

Community Roots Market

One Mothers Thought's
Milk 101: The Skinny on Pasteurization, Homogenization, and Dating of Milk

This week we added Spokane Family Farm's HTST Pasteurized Non Homogenized milk to our product line. The animals feed is conventionally grown, but all sourced locally. Spokane Family Farm's milk is available for home delivery or in-store at $4.29/gallon and $2.79/half gallon. Because there are so many milk options on the market, this seemed like the perfect time to explore our options.

PASTEURIZATION
Pasteurization is not intended to kill all pathogenic micro-organisms so even pasteurized milk has beneficial buggies.

HTST (Pasteurization) requires heating milk to 145 degrees for half an hour. This milk has a shorter date stamp. Organic Valley stamps this milk 18 days from the day it is bottled. This one works well for cheese making but people tend not to buy it because they are looking for the longest dated milk.

UHT (Ultra Pasteurization) requires using heat and pressure to reach 280 degrees for a few minutes. This milk has a longer date stamped on the carton. Organic Valley stamps a date 56 days from the day it was bottled.

UHT (Flash Pasteurization) kills the most stuff. This is the milk you will find in aseptic containers sitting on the grocery shelf.

Raw Milk is not pasteurized or homogenized at all; it is straight from the cow or goat, cooled quickly, and date stamped (9 days for raw cows milk, 21 days for raw goats milk). Raw milk does not go rotten, it just sours, which has been used for its human health effects since humans have been using milk.

HOMOGENIZATION
Fat is less dense than water so cream (fat) floats above the watery part of the milk, naturally. Homogenization forces the cream (fat) to stay combined with the watery part by exposing the milk to high pressure, turbulence, and shock waves. When milk is homogenized, it MUST be pasteurized, as it goes rancid very quickly. On the other hand, HTST Pasteurized milk does not NEED to be homogenized because it won't separate as the enzymes are not destroyed as much because only light pasteurization is used. Spokane Family Farm's milk falls into this category. It is Pasteurized Non Homogenized, and can still be used for cheese making. UHT Ultra Pasteurized milk is ALWAYS homogenized to mix in the unsightly dead sludge that would form at the bottom of the carton without homogenization (out of sight out of mind). Making cheese with UHT Ultra Pasteurized milk will not work as there are not enough live enzymes remaining to grow.

If you want to learn more about homogenization and pasteurization, check out wikipedia. If you would like me to cover a specific product or chemical, send me an email brightspirit@freshabundance.com

At Fresh Abundance, we would rather carry HTST Organic Valley milk but our members have continuously requested the longest dated milk, so we currently carry the "bad" UHT Organic Valley milk. Tell us what you want, we care. As for me and my kids, we have moved to the local stuff only. I find it telling that you can't make cheese with UHT milk because basically, it is too dead. I try to limit how much "dead food" I eat, which to me means seriously altered or nutrient deprived food. I believe the movement back to live food is the next back to the past movment that will hit our food habits. Our bodies are alive so our food should be too. I love the idea that I share my body with millions of helpful buggies that work hard to keep me healthy.

EVENTS CALENDAR
May 16th from 11-4 Help us raise funds by visiting the PEACH Farm and get your garden bedding plants. This is a great family outing. Get a peak at the cutting edge permaculture farming happening right here in Spokane. The farm is located at 3324 S. Best Rd. Phone 924-7774. Take I-90 East to Evergreen Exit, head south to 32nd Ave, take a left, go 1/2 mile farm is on the right.

May 17th 10 AM Organic Gardening Class
Offered at Community Roots Market and back by popular demand, Soils 101: How
to care for your soil community and harvest the best tasting veggies. $10
Suggested Donation

May 17th from 11-4 Community Roots Market
your All Things LOCAL market
Click on this link to find out who will be vending at the market

PEACH BEDDING PLANTS
Starting Monday, May 11, P.E.A.C.H. bedding plants will be for available at all of our stores. These plants are a fundraiser for our tax exempt non-profit P.E.A.C.H.-People for Environmental Action & Community Health. These plants were tended by kids from Juvenile Justice who got in trouble and had to do community service, and also by folks participating in our states welfare to work program. We provide a work site, respect and education on how to grow food for these low-income members of our community.

All our plants are non-GMO, chemical free and raised with love.

$3 per pot or pony

WEEKLY PRODUCE SALES
Organic Fancy Lemons $1.99/Pound
Organic Red Leaf & Green Leaf Lettuce $1.69/Each
Organic Gold Pineapple $1.59/Pound
Organic Red & Green Cabbage $.99/Pound

As you might have noticed we are now sending out a paper copy of the weekly news. We will have more info in the weekly paper copy then the email version but you are free to opt out of paper weekly news if that feel right to you. To opt out please send an email to Sheri, our member care specialist at orders@freshabundance.com

Till Next Week Stay LOCAL,
Eden Brightspirit Hendrix

PEACH Farm News #06 - May 6, 2009

PEACH Farm News #06, Pea planting, Rain, Greenhouse, Fense, Raised Beds and Key Holes.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - May 2nd 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

I'm feeling wild and crazy today so let's see if you can ride the wave with me.

I was at a P.E.A.C.H. board meeting this last week, and Angie (mom and board member since 2000) stretched from her tired day as we covered the necessary agenda items. Neither of us was too enthused as we were missing two board members, and both of us had worked too many hours in the last week. Somehow we stumbled on the topic of Mt. Dew, and I off handedly referred to how toxic it was. She, my good friend and long time champion against toxics, said "What are you talking about?" My biology educated self went on to explain that brominated vegetable oil was banned in 100 countries, and that our kids here in the U.S. swill the cloudy drink like water. She was alarmed, and she admitted (gasp) folks that she loved and swilled Gatorade, which also contains brominated vegetable oil. Angie was mad at me, and she asked why I had not informed her of this fact.

-- If you want more information on how Brominated Vegetable oil, this is a good article.

I lounged on the sofa and wondered how many other toxics I had not informed her of. We had worked hard in the early P.E.A.C.H. years to educate moms about the toxics they were unknowingly exposing their precious children to. But five years ago we decided to work on the solution, and to quit pushing the problem.

Although I am confident that the work of Fresh Abundance and P.E.A.C.H. must be focused on the positive solution, I also understand that information is powerful, and that understanding the problem may be helpful to making healthful choices. I guess this is my long-winded way of asking you if you want more information on how toxic some common everyday habits are. I could let you know on a regular basis, which forms of everyday exposure are maybe not so helpful to creating good health and I could answer specific toxic questions you may have. If you want more education in my weekly news please respond and let me know. I do not want to preach the gospel of toxics, but I don't want you left in the dark either. Email me at Brightspirit@freshabundance.com

P.E.A.C.H. Permaculture Farm Update
We have a class of 25 fourth graders coming on Monday to help plant peas. It is fun to watch the antics of children as they learn about soil life and get their hands in the soil. We hope to have bedding plants available by the beginning of June due to cold weather that has set the plants back but we are nursing them along.

Beyond Green
Have you seen the obscene green paint at the Division location?? Tart apple is the color's name, and it only seemed fitting for our Fresh store. A member came in and commented that we have gone beyond green. I started thinking about this and realized that the work of Fresh Abundance and P.E.A.C.H. is indeed beyond green. Starting Monday we will have a paper version of the weekly news that will go out with each order and/or can be picked up at the stores called Beyond Green!

BUY LOCAL & Save Money
We now have a NEW way for you to SAVE money!!! As a Fresh Abundance member current on your dues you will now get 3% off your in-store purchases if you pay with cash. This is yet another way for you to keep your money LOCAL. Every time you use your debit card not only does it cost your LOCAL business money, it sends those expensive service fees out of state. Debit and credit cards are easy but they hurt our LOCAL economy. If you can make it work, good old-fashioned green backs keep the money LOCAL and save you $ every time! Spend less to get more for your community.

We now have LOCAL Wiggle Worm, worm castings. They come in 30pound bags for $27. To have this delivered with your order, simply request a bag in the order notes. We will not post this new product on the website as we have a limited supply and it will go fast.

Weekly Produce Sales That's right, we are officially beginning to offer weekly produce sales. This week enjoy:+Organic California 1 Pound Strawberries $4.79 each
+LOCAL Organic Fuji Apples $1.29/pound
+LOCAL Organic Bakers Potatoes $ .99/pound
+Organic California Asparagus $5.79/pound

Veggie Facts
Asparagus is the vegetable that kicks off our local season. Although we currently have California Asparagus, we will have some local soon. Here are some interesting things to know about this gourmet spear. Asparagus is a member of the Lily family. Asparagus spears grow from a crown that is planted about a foot deep in sandy soils. Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow 10" in a 24-hour period. Each crown will send spears up for about 6-7 weeks during the spring and early summer. The outdoor temperature determines how much time will be between each picking...early in the season, there may be 4-5 days between pickings and as the days and nights get warmer, a particular field may have to be picked every 24 hours. After harvesting is done the spears grow into ferns, which produce red berries and the food and nutrients necessary for a healthy and productive crop the next season. An asparagus planting is usually not harvested for the first 3 years after the crowns are planted allowing the crown to develop a strong fibrous root system. A well cared for asparagus planting will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted. The larger the diameter, the better the quality! Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which in high in Folic Acid and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin. Asparagus has No Fat, contains No Cholesterol and is low in Sodium.

Opportunities For Giving
I believe that we need to always ask for what we want. So I will keep asking for a 200K loan to Fresh Abundance for development. Invest green in any amount to help us reach this goal. I hope every time you see this you smile and remember to ask for you want in your own life. We are what we believe so believe BIG.

Policies & Housekeeping In an effort to serve you better we are going back to the policy that Monday orders, additions, and cancellations must be in by 9am Sunday. We will make sure that we have the boxes posted by noon on Saturday.

We want to Welcome Sheri to our FA Team. Sheri is taking over for Lindsey as your member care staff. We are sadly saying goodbye to Lindsey who is off to establish herself as a massage therapist.

Mark Your Calendar
Next Community Roots Market Sunday May 17 from noon till four. Community Roots Market will go to being a weekly, indoor/outdoor year-round market starting June 14th.

+Organic Gardening Class: Soils 101. How to care for your soil community so that you can grow the best tasting veggies
+Raw Food Preparation Class: Food preparation and tasting including entrees, salads, soups, desserts and more.
+Live Blood Analysis: (LBA) reveals more vital health information than dozens of tests from medical laboratories, with all information in the proper context.

Till next week, BUY LOCAL

Eden Brightspirit Hendrix

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - April 26th, 2009

Fresh Abundance
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/


The last Community Roots Market was wonderful, with 30 LOCAL vendors, warm sunshine, and a lot of attendees. Be sure to mark your calendar for upcoming markets on May 17th, June 14th then weekly every Sunday from then on.

COMMUNITY ROOTS MARKET: ALL THINGS LOCAL

Mark your calendar for Sunday May 17th at 11 am for the Next Organic Gardening Class.  Due to so many requests this is the second time I am teaching this session this season.

+ Soils 101: Organic Gardening Class 11 AM
 The basis of every healthy garden is the soil alive below the surface.
 Come learn how to grow healthy soil, which in turn will grow the best tasting garden veggies. $10 Suggested Donation to P.E.A.C.H.

Cody Dahl will be coming down from Canada to perform Live Blood Cell Analysis. These two-hour appointments fill up fast so book yours early. Cody Dahl is a certified Live Blood Analysis from Calgary, AB. Cost is $236 for a 2 hour session. For an appointment on May 16th or 17th contact Eden-Brightspirit 435-5210 or email Brightspirit@freshabundance.com

+ What Is Your Blood Telling You?
 Live Blood Analysis (LBA) reveals more vital health information than dozens of tests from medical laboratories, with all  information  in the proper context.
    o Cell size and shape abnormalities from immune system deficiencies.
    o Blood Cell 壮tickiness蜘here RBC痴 stick to one another as a result of poor protein digestion, acidic system, etc.
    o Dehydration. Candida/yeast/fungi overgrowths. Liver Congestion.
    o Free radicals damage - unstable molecules created by pollution, tobacco smoke, dietary and other toxins
    o Bowel toxicity. Folic acid and vitamin B-12 imbalances. Iron deficiency.
    o Uric acid crystal and risk of gout, joint pain and achiness.
    o Leaky Gut Syndrome. Poor circulation, oxygenation level, and abnormal blood clotting.
    o Bacteria. Parasite infestation. Allergy Responses. Calcium Imbalance. Hormone Imbalances.

Raw Food Preparation Class By Tonya Lightfoot on May 17th from 1-5 at Fresh Abundance Division. Class cost is $125 and includes lots of food preparation and tasting: Entrees, Salads, Soups, Desserts and more. To learn more go to www.journeyofhealth.net To sign up for this class call Tonya at 214-717-4487.
+ Discover the magic of organic, raw, living foods for radiant health.
+ Learn about delicious, gourmet, raw, vegan food.
+ Learn how to become healthy and vibrant by eating a living foods diet.
+ Benefits of Raw Foods:
    o Miraculous Weight Loss
    o Vibrant Energy
    o Freedom From Sickness & Disease
    o Optimum Health

P.E.A.C.H. FARM UPDATE

Things are booming out at the P.E.A.C.H. Permaculture Farm. Our nonprofit farm is lifting up the community: we are growing plants to save seeds, we are growing veggies to eat, and we are growing better lives by welcoming many hands in our pursuit to grow more LOCAL food. Recently we connected with Juvenile Justice to provide an opportunity for service, and with the
Washington State Assistance to Needy Families program to provide an opportunity for low-income people to join us on the farm.  These folks are learning to grow food, and work in the sunshine. Follow the progress on the farm through the farm blog http://PEACHLocal.blogspot.com/

+ DONATIONS FOR THE FARM
    o Shovels
    o Rakes
    o Hoes
    o Hand Tools
    o Used garden pots
    o Unsprayed leaves & pine needles
    o Time as a volunteer
    o Cash - tax exempt of course☺

Remember that when you spend your money with us it goes back into your community. Vote with your dollars for the life you want, for you and your family. BUY LOCAL!

If you have money you would like to invest in Fresh Abundance, we are looking for up to 200K. We are ready to get the show on the road and get the 17,000 space at the Division location built out. The finished space with have a Gluten Free Deli, Herbal Pharmacy, Artist Collective which will include ongoing classes, a body movement studio which will include yoga, on-site holistic practitioners, and is home to Community Roots Market a year round indoor/outdoor, BUY LOCAL market. Invest green, get a fair return on your money and grow your community.

Till next week,

BUY LOCAL

Eden-Brightspirit

PEACH Permaculture Farm News #03 - April 15, 2009

PEACH Farm News #03, Deer fence, greenhouse, seedlings, youth group volunteers.

Fresh Abundance Weekly News - April 12, 2009

Boxes
Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

Thank you for your continued support, and thank you for consciously spending your food dollars to support the good work of P.E.A.C.H. in your community. Whether you shop online and have your order delivered or come to one of our stores for your regular grocery trips, we appreciate that you are helping us build our local food economy by using your food dollars with us. Among other community projects, your grocery purchases support Community Roots Market, brought to you by P.E.A.C.H.

COMMUNITY ROOTS MARKET: ALL THINGS LOCAL Sunday April 19th from 11-4 2015 N. Division Street

+ Organic Gardening Class 10 AM $10 Suggested Donation to P.E.A.C.H. Rooting cuttings and plant divisions followed by general question and answer time.
+ Lentz Spelt Farm Presentation 1PM "Heritage Grain & Oil Seed Trends In Europe" René Featherstone, agricultural journalist and partner in Lents Spelt Farms of Marlin, Washington, recently 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. He will give a presentation on his findings and about the importance of intercropping or "Mischkultur". A question and answer session will follow.

To support our local farmers, gardeners, artists & crafters and make it easy for you to BUY LOCAL we have founded this new market. Community Roots Market will be a weekly, year-round, indoor/outdoor market featuring ALL things LOCAL. In addition to connecting you with the best LOCAL products and producers, Community Roots Market offers simple living workshops, creative kids activities, and live LOCAL music. The next market is May 17, 2009, and starting June 14th the market will be each Sunday from 11-4. Be sure to come shop from the many vendors who will be set up selling their wares.

P.E.A.C.H. PERMACULTURE FARM UPDATE We now have a farm blog so you can get regular updates on what is happening on the farm. Check us out at http://PEACHLocal.blogspot.com/ and sign up to be a friend of the farm.

P.E.A.C.H. DONATIONS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to transplant seedlings Friday April 17 & Saturday April 18th. If you can come please contact Brightspirit at 435-5210 or email Brightspirit@freshabundance.com. The transplanting will be at the P.E.A.C.H. farm located at 3324 S. Best Road in Spokane Valley. Take I-90 to Evergreen exit, head south to 32nd, Turn left (east) and look for the big red barn with the Fresh Abundance sign on it.

Donation Items Needed:
+ Tractor
+ Hand tools and miscellaneous items needed. Our Juvenile Justice project uses lots of teen offenders and so we need 15 of each kind of hand tool. Items needed: shovels, rakes, hoes, pitch forks, trowels, knee pads, snacks for breaks, old plant pots, manure, horses, watering cans, clean barrels or water tanks, herb or flower cuttings or transplants, strawberry starts, raspberry & blackberry canes, leaves & pine needles, to name just a few.
+ A volunteer to build a simple P.E.A.C.H. web site.
+ A volunteer to do grant research and writing. + Cash or check donations. P.E.A.C.H. is a tax exempt non-profit 501c3. Please use us for your charitable giving to invest in your community.

If you have a business we would love it if you would put a jar out for P.E.A.C.H. Contact Brightspirit at 435-5210 if you are willing to help us collect donations for our nonprofit in this way.

FRESH ABUNDANCE VALLEY The Fresh Abundance Valley store will go to expanded hours starting April 21st The Valley store will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 10-6. P.E.A.C.H. Farm bedding plants will be for sale during store hours.

HOUSEKEEPING If you need a speaker for your group I am available most days to talk about the PEACH/Fresh Abundance project.

Last but not least the band Quarter Monkey, a young rock bank with their own original work, is doing a fund raiser gig for P.E.A.C.H. at Coffee Social 113 W Indiana this Thursday April 16th starting at 7PM.

See you at Community Roots Market April 19th

Brightspirit

PEACH Permaculture Farm News #02 - April 8, 2009

Farm News #02, Deer fence, greenhouse, seadlings, youth groups

PEACH Permaculture Farm News #02 - April 1, 2009

Farm News #1, Seadlings and sprout house, the grounds and buildings.

Community Roots Market - Sunday 11-4 April 19, 2009

FARMERS, ARTISANS, LIVE MUSIC Plus SIMPLE LIVING WORKSHOPS

Be sure to mark your calendar to join us on April 19th from 11-4 to buy LOCAL hand made and home grown items at Community Roots Market (2015 N Division). Community Roots Market is a project of P.E.A.C.H., and it exists to create a vibrant community by supporting LOCAL producers by providing a market for their products, and a connection to the people who love what they do.

When you spend your money directly with LOCAL producers, you support their success directly as they experience less costs associated with getting you the products you love. Come join us for live music and all things LOCAL at Community Roots Market.

Brought to you by PEACH, a tax exempt non-profit organization dedicated to creating a BUY LOCAL economy by connecting loacal foods and goods with local people.

For more information on vending contact Lisa 509-714-9880 or email : lisa@freshabundance.com

Community Roots Market – Sunday April 19th from 11-4
The Community Roots Farmers Market is always held at Fresh Abundance Division

We're at 2015 N. Division Street

Children's Activity Center 11-2
Suggest donation to P.E.A.C.H. is $5 for this workshop

Organic Gardening Class 10 AM
Rooting cuttings and plant divisions followed by general question and answer time.
$10 Suggested Donation

Lentz Spelt Farm Presentation 1PM
“Heritage Grain & Oil Seed Trends In Europe”

René Featherstone, agricultural journalist and partner in Lents Spelt Farms of Marlin, Washington, recently traveled to Germany to interview growers, chefs, researchers, marketers, and retailers about the ancient grains; spelt, emmer farro, and camelina. He will give a presentation on his findings and about the importance of intercropping or “Mischkultur”. A question and answer session will follow.

MUSICIANS: Looking for more local musicians to play at the market. Contact Lisa if you would like to come down and play lisa@freshabundance.com

Stephen Talley - Playing from 11am to 1pm, check him out at http://www.myspace.com/soundtravelmusic.com

Michaelyn – Playing from 3 to 4

VENDORS:
Slide Sideways - Original hand screen-printed goods and artwork. Check out the goods at www.slidesideways.etsy.com These folks are the graphic design artist that work with Fresh Abundance & P.E.A.C.H. if you like our new look these are the folks responsible for it. If you need graphic design work you can reach them at wearesliding@gmail.com

Michaelyn & Shawna – Handcrafted apparel, bags, blown glass, and much more.

Susie David’s Cattle Company LLC – Will have grilled sausages, frozen low fat ground beef & other cuts, frozen sausages, hot coffee & chocolate for sale.

Kensho Designs – Will be selling handmade market bags and organic cotton clothing.

Arabesque Bakery – Delicious breads, pastries, and savory goodies.

Earth Designed Cosmetics – Handmade lotions and creams.

Artful Spirit – Drums, recycled art, jewelry, etc. Get a sneak peak at www.sandyartfulspirit.com.

Dancing Chicken Studio – Catherine (Olason) Gregorak and Mark Easton are artists who create with a variety of media in their studio, including paintings, ceramic tile, & sculpture. Check out Mark's art on line www.markeastonart.com

Earth Beads – Handmade jewelry focused on natural stones.

Coffee Social - Coffee Social, your local organic cafe, will be serving really good organic, fair trade coffee and organic tea, and selling whole bean coffee. Coffee Social opened in September just a stone's throw from the Division Street Fresh Abundance and serves up really yummy organic cafe fare, all made in-house from scratch, seven days a week. Stop by and say hi! Located at 113 W Indiana Ave. Take a look online at www.coffeesocial.net.

Patriotic Motors Electric –An electric conversion shop, converting gasoline vehicles to battery electric, will have a booth at the market with information about this exciting topic.

Alma Libre Designs – One of a kind photography, jewelry, and fabric creations.

The French Quarter - Utilizing ingredients from local growers, or fruits and herbs they grow in our own back yards, the French Quarter's goal is to provide the downtown community with locally produced gourmet specialties of the highest quality. Supporting sustainable agriculture and our own hometown is the focus of The French Quarter. Located at 1311 W. Sprague. Check them out at www.myfrenchquarter.com.

AppleRock Farms – Come and see what these local farmers will have available.

Ty – Will be offering his massage services.

Thistledown Shetlands & Wools – Hand spun wool from their own Shetland sheep. Will also have yarn, hats, scarves, and purses for sale. Get a preview at
http://www.thistledownshetlands.com

Blue Button Apparel – Organic and Fair Trade bags that have been screen printed.

Tresia – Artist selling pottery, dolls, paintings and other fun things.

Shutterfly Kisses – Photographer showing and selling photos. Check out her website at www.yourphotographystudio.com

P.E.A.C.H. Farm Update

We have had a busy week out on the PEACH non-profit Farm. Over 10,000 seeds were planted and we still have a few thousand to go.

Your PEACH Farm will have an amazing variety of veggie seedlings for your garden.

Most seedlings will be ready for sale by mid May.