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Ellwood's is proud to be a sponsor of the Run to the River 10k run and 5k walk on Oct. 18. The event supports the Neighborhood Resource Center, a vibrant educational and cultural center dedicated to fostering personal growth and community change in Richmond's Greater Fulton area.
GO LOCAL: 4 weeks -- 84 meals -- a delicious challenge that supports local farmers, bakers and other purveyors!
Join Ellwood Thompson's in its effort to bring the locavore diet to Richmond -- eat locally for the month of September.
Here's the challenge: For four weeks eat as many local meals as possible -- breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks -- however, to be a part of the challenge, you pledge to eat a minimum of one local meal per day.
Kick-off: A Locavore potluck was held at Ellwoods on Monday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 PM in the Community Classroom. We brought a dish made with local ingredients and recipes to share.
Celebration: Locavore prix fixe meal at Edible Garden on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 PM.
*If you can't commit to four weeks or need to start later in the month and go into October, that's fine. Just join us and eat locally!*
Details: What defines local? Any food grown within 100 miles is considered local at Ellwood's. Some items are difficult to find within a 100-mile radius of Richmond, so for this challenge if you can't find something locally, go for a Virginia product. This will broaden the scope of your eating to include condiments and dairy items. However, a few exceptions remain for items like olive oil.
Here are the simple guidelines to keep in mind:
- If not locally produced (in Virginia), then organic.
- If not organic, then family farm. If not family farm, then local business.
- If not a local business, then direct or fair trade or, Terroir, which means 'taste of the Earth'. Purchase foods famous for the region they are grown in and support the agriculture that produces your favorite non-local foods, such as Brie cheese from Brie, France or parmesan cheese from Parma, Italy.
Where to find local sources of food? If you grow in your own backyard, harvest lunch and dinner! Have a CSA share, great -- you're well on your way. If not, hit one of the bustling farmers' markets around town and plan your meal around local ingredients you find.
Then come to Ellwood Thompson's for more local ingredients and goodies. Ellwood's has a local product forager, Cyndi, who is completely dedicated to bringing in the best local products available.
Want to eat out? Here are some great local restaurants that source all ingredients locally:
- Edible Garden
- Savor (take home)
- Six Burner
- Zed Café
Blog about your experience! Email ljohnson@ellwoodthompsons.com to get a blog log-in and you can contribute your thoughts, feelings and ideas about eating locally.
At the end of the challenge: Celebrate with a local prix fixe dinner at Edible Garden. If you sign up to blog about your experience, you will be eligible to win prizes like locavore t-shirts or a $100 Ellwood's certificate.
Sept. 27 is 5% Day for HAPPE Pets: Please be sure to shop with Ellwood's in support of some Richmond's homeless pets on Saturday, Sept. 27.
HAPPE is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and placing homeless and at-risk cats and dogs. The group is committed to decreasing dog and cat overpopulation through education about responsible pet ownership and spay/neuter programs.
Live in the Fan? Interested in a building a new community garden? Tricycle Gardens, in partnership with Ellwood Thompsons and the City of Richmond, is heading up the planning and development of a new community garden, located at next to the Humphry Calder Community Center, at the corner of Thompson St. and Patterson Ave. The first planning meeting was held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 7 PM in the community center. Please call 231-7767 or email lisa@tricyclegardens.org or check out our website, www.tricyclegardens.org for more info.
Speaking with Spokes: On August 1 Ellwood Thompson's Local Market and RVA Magazine teamed
up to create Speaking with Spokes, the first organized, sponsored and safe
group bike ride through the city. This ride benefited Books on Wheels, a
small, local non-profit that takes its school buses around the east coast
fixing children's bikes and offering free books.
Our city has the bike enthusiasts, concerned environmentalists and charity-oriented activists to make this a highly anticipated, well-publicized and overwhelmingly attended event. Now is the perfect time to educate city residents on the viability of using self-powered transportation as a primary mode of transport.
The Goochland Farmers Market: Ellwood Thompson's is honored to sponsor The Goochland Farmers Market, a true country farmers' market located on the grounds the Grace Episcopal Church, 2955 River Rd W, in Goochland County.
About the Goochland Farmers Market: The mission of the Goochland Farmers Market is to inspire the community to live in a way that nurtures our farmers, enhances our environment, supports creativity and educates consumers. By providing a sustainable marketplace, the Market stimulates the economy and raises awareness of the need to strengthen the connections between our land, our health and our future.
The Goochland Farmers Market is one of Central Virginia's largest and best attended farmers markets, featuring high quality farm and artisan products which are sustainably produced. Meet local farmers and artisans and learn about the value of rural character. Pastured poultry, beef, bison, pork, fruits, vegetables, honey, herbs, cut flowers, baked goods, eggs, goats cheese, perennial and annual plants, hanging baskets, hand-made clothing and fine arts and crafts are available. Activities include musical entertainment, children's activities, educational exhibits, chef demos and farm animals. For more info, please visit centerforruralculture.org/rural_market.htm
Community Classroom
New! Register online for an event by clicking on the event name below or contact customer service to reserve your spot. (804.359.7525 x25) There is limited seating/availability for all classes and events.
Nutritional Consultation - Monday, October 13, 3 PM - 5PM. Local nutritionist Tina Shiver will be on hand to answer your questions about food, nutrition and well-being.
Green Kitchens - Saturday, October 18, 10 AM - 11AM. Most of us spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in our homes. Cabinet and counter manufacturers have really risen to the challenge of offering greener alternatives. Come discuss the ways you can make your kitchen environmentally friendly and safer for you and your family. What better place for your organic foods than your green kitchen?
Nutritional Consultation - Friday, October 31, 3 PM - 5PM. Local nutritionist Tina Shiver will be on hand to answer your questions about food, nutrition and well-being.
News
Ellwood's hires local forager, new store manager
Ellwood Thompson's Local Market is pleased to announce the creation of a new position, local forager, which will serve as a local product scout. Cyndi Watkins, Ellwood's store manager will take over this new role and lead the store's local outreach efforts.
Cyndi's experience makes her uniquely qualified for this position. After running her own business for several years, she came to Ellwood's, served as the store's assistant manager and quickly rose to store manager. She is passionate about supporting local businesses and now she gets to devote a majority of her time to it.
Chris Castillo is a new addition to Ellwood Thompson's and comes to the store after working as the director of operations at Tom Leonard's. Chris will take over the store manager responsibilities as Cyndi transitions into her duties as the local forager. Chris brings a great deal of grocery experience with him as well as relationships with local farmers.
When you see Chris in the store please say hello; he'd love to meet you! If you have ideas about how we can improve the store to meet your needs, please let him know. You can also email info@ellwoodthompsons.com and note "store suggestion" in the subject line.
Also, if you own a local business or want to recommend a local product to Cyndi, please email info@ellwoodthompsons.com and note "local product" in the subject line.
Ellwood's launches farmer's market
With outdoor markets in full swing, come join us for our first-ever farmers' market every Wednesday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. under the billboards in ET's parking lot. Enjoy the fun and discover great local goods! But that's not all -- Ellwood's sponsored the Goochland Farmers Market on July 30 (read more). And check out our growing list of local farmers markets.
Check it out
Samples!
Please join us for wine samplings Fridays at 5 PM and Saturdays at 3 PM.
Healthy Living
Download ET's September 2008 Healthy Living Newsletter (PDF, 800 kb)
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