The Weblog
Our goal is 100% Customer Satisfaction…comments, questions or concerns always welcome!
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March 9, 2019 M@D Newsletter
This Week’s Newsletter:
Our Core Values
Market Chitchat
Grower Overview
What We’re About
Every once in a while someone asks why our Market does not have (insert fruit or vegetable product) grocers and roadside vendors. They thought it strange those people would offer certain food items that we do not.
While roadside products may appear FRESH, (as opposed to overripe or poor quality), sometimes that’s not the case as many items can be refrigerated an extended time or ripened with gasses before being put on display for sale. They are seldom LOCAL. More often than not, they have been purchased from a wholesaler who got vast quantities by truck from down in Florida. If not there they’ve probably been hauled off a boat from Central America. These too have been subject to refrigeration, spray, dye or gasses. Market at Dothan limits our distance to within fifty miles of Dothan, ensuring that the food you purchase from us is truly LOCAL. As far as FRESH, it is usually picked 1-2 days before pickup on Fridays.
Another issue is SUSTAINABILITY. Sustainability is all about growing food without depleting natural resources. The nutrients taken from the soil by crops must be replaced using natural methods. The USDA defines sustainable farming as agriculture that:
*Enhances the natural resources upon which society lives
*Efficiently uses resources by implementing natural controls and biocycles
*Is economically viable
*Enhances life for farmers and those eating the products
The grand hope of sustainable farming is that mankind will be able to continue living off the land without depleting natural resources and ruining the earth. To be sustainable, farmers must also be able to afford their business.
The last core value of Market at Dothan is YEAR ROUND. While it is nice to serve fresh berries during the fall and winter, it is not natural, and it is not necessarily what our bodies need the most. Case in point: citrus in this region ripens and is available most of the winter months. What does citrus offer? Vitamin C. We all know that. And what do we need during the fall and winter months to help fight off colds and flu? Vitamin C, of course. There are other studies showing the value of root vegetables during the cold months as well as leafy green brasseric vegetables which are very popular in the deep south.
The downside of a Year Round Market is unpredictable conditions and weather. Those of you who ordered greens from Avalon a couple of weeks ago experienced this after aphids devoured her crop. This time last year Danny was recovering from a freeze that killed everything he had.
Thank you to all our customers who stick with us through the thick and thin of farming life. We enjoy serving and and deeply appreciate you.
MARKET CHITCHAT
The Good News Our first Spring Farmer’s Market held earlier today was MARVELOUS! Marvelous weather, marvelous vendors, marvelous folks coming to visit. Five of our regular Market vendors were present and we were joined by Mt. Moriah Farms, She Sings Bling, Lewis Farms and Make it with a B. If you are not familiar with these folks and their products they’ll be back on April 13 for our next Spring Farmer’s Market.
The Bad News Coastal Sharps sends their apologies to our Market customers who brought knives and scissors to be sharpened. If we have not shared this with you before, Amory lost her home to Michael last October and pretty much had to start over. She has landed further away from Dothan in a very demanding job. The combination was just too much and she could not get away. No future visits are planned until her schedule is more stable.
Ending on a high note Market at Dothan is teaming with the Get Green Alabama initiative to organize a fun and educational event at Dothan Nurseries on April 18. The official announcement will go out next week sometime. We can’t tell you too much except to mark your calendars for that day.
WHO DOES WHAT? PART 1
Because we are a year round market, not every grower lists product every week.
3LC Apiary Great Beekeepers! 3LC honey is produced within the city limits of Dothan and contains nectar and pollen from landscaped as well a wild growing plant sources.
AVALON FARMS Avalaon Farms has produced quality sustainable produce & eggs in the Wiregrass for many years. They have recently added pastured chicken to their listings as they become available.
CASABLANCA RANCH. Read more about them: http://casablancaranch.com/. Locally Grown Hormone Free Santa Gertrudis Beef
D’S JELLIES – D’s Mayhaw Jelly, Hot Pepper Jelly, and BlackBerry Jelly.
DANNY’S GREENS Tender and tenderly cared for sustainable lettuce mixes all year round.
GRIER ACRES Just getting started on their sustainable journey. Great folks! You’ll hear more from them!
HORTON’S FARM Natural Goodness from the Hive and the Heart.
FOOTNOTES
We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite recipe, want to write a product review, have an idea or request for an article or information, let us know! You can reply to this newsletter or write marketatdothan@gmail.com.
Order Saturday 5pm to Tuesday 5pm weekly for Pickup the following Friday
Dothan Pickup: Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303
Daleville Pickup: Daleville Chamber of Commerce Office
Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net
Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan
Join our Online Discussions! www.facebook.com/groups/MarketatDothanDiscussion
Be sure to use our hashtag! #marketatdothan
We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!