Its coming!

September 18th is the 4th Annual Select Michigan Day Farm Market, to be held on the front lawn of the Capitol in Lansing. I went to the Buy Local Day back in July and found some cool stuff including veggies I’d never seen before, like water spinach (which sauteed up quite nicely in a little sesame oil).  I’ll be there on the 18th to load up my bags again. And this time, I’m taking more money!

Also on the 18th is the Michigan Food and Farming Systems 10th Anniversary Benefit Reception.

Founded in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems that improve Michigan’s economy, environment and social well-being.  MIFFS focuses its programs around assisting family farmers to develop entrepreneurial business, marketing, production and management skills to sustain their farming operations; growing market opportunities by linking consumers, communities and farmers; supporting agricultural stewardship and sustainable production; and informing and influencing public policy and institutional decisions that impact family farms.

The benefit costs $100 but $80 is tax deductible.  The night will include dinner and drinks and a keynote address by Oran Hesterman, CEO of The Fair Food Foundation of Ann Arbor. The Fair Food Foundation works with primarily urban communities to guarantee access to fresh produce via the development of urban gardens.  The deadline to sign-up for the Benefit is Tuesday, September 9th.

Alas, I won’t be attending the benefit, even though it does sound like an interesting night. But, that happens to be the same night as a cooking class I am considering at Le Chat Gourmet in Eaton Rapids.  I get hungry just looking at the calendar of classes.

It could be a busy week of shopping at the local markets next week. For those that feel up to it, The Lansing LocalVore Challenge is September 13-20.  You can read all the details of the challenge HERE.  You can do it for one day, a couple of days or even the whole week.  Whatever you choose, during the challenge days, your task is to eat only food grown within 100 miles of your home. For us in Lansing, that gets you all the way to West Branch (north) and down in to Ohio.  It even gets you in to Windsor.  Based on the aforementioned cooking class, a full week committment is probably out for Chris and I but I’ll be working out a short version of the challenge for us. I’m eager to try out some of the local meats currently being carried at the Lansing City Market.