Local Foods Cooking Class for Children

OSU Extension and Local Bounty Coshocton have been offering Cooking Classes for children age 4-10 this summer. The purpose of the classes are to teach children how fun and delicious cooking can be- especially with food you grow yourself. It also shows them foods that are grown and sold locally here in Coshocton County. During today's class we grilled pizzas made with vegetables from all colors of the rainbow - red tomatoes, orange and yellow peppers, green zucchini, purple (red) onions- not to mention cheese, pepperoni and sausage all on pitas made by a local baker. The children were even able to add fresh herbs that we planted during the first class in May. Here are some highlights of the day:

Instructor Kristi Adelsberger helps the children select fresh herbs to add to their pizza creations.

Instructor Marissa Mullett passes out the pitas for children to add toppings.



 

 

Know Your Farmer

Depending on which source you consult, the average American is anywhere from three to even five generations removed from the farm. And when you think about that, even if folks are only one or two generations removed, farming today is rarely how grandpa and grandma farmed.

In an effort to strengthen the critical connection between farmers and consumers and support local and regional food systems, the USDA started the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2)” program. Research in 2010 by the Economic Research Service identified barriers to local food market entry and expansion. Two of these included capacity constraints for farms and an inadequate infrastructure to move foods into mainstream markets. KYF2 works to eliminate these barriers.

I am especially interested in helping more producers in this area supply our schools with fresh local produce. If you have interest, or know someone who does, give me a call at 622-2265.

Happy Local Foods Week

This week is Central Ohio Local Foods Week (August 11-19). The local foods movement is an effort to purchase and consume fresh produce and other foods that are grown in or near your community.

According to the USDA, in the past 15 years the number of farmers markets has tripled. There are now more than 7000 across the country. Here in Coshocton County we have three farmers markets during the summer months in Coshocton, Fresno and Warsaw. Coshocton County is also home to Local Bounty, a year round producer and consumer cooperative.

Coshocton County Farmers Market

Saturdays, May - October

8:30 AM-12:00 PM

Coshocton County Fairgrounds

Fresno Farmers Market

Saturdays, May - October

8:00 AM-12:00 PM

Mark McCoy's Auto in Fresno (follow signs)

Warsaw Farmers Market

Thursdays, May - September

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

River View Community Park

Local Bounty Coshocton

Open Year Round

Thursdays and Fridays  2:00-6:00 PM

Saturdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

State Route 83 next to Lake Park Soccer Complex

Farmers markets are at a location where several vendors gather to sell produce, plants, other agricultural products and crafts. A farm market is a location where a producer sells produce and other items that are usually grown at that farm. Farm markets are typically open daily while farmers markets are usually open weekly. There are also several farm markets here in the county.

Many restaurants are also making the effort to prepare foods using locally sourced ingredients. The National Restaurant Association identified the top two trends for 2011 as “locally sourced meats and seafood” and “locally grown produce.”

There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy some local agricultural products, so I encourage you to make a special effort this week.