Save The Date for Local Foods Weekend 2023

Local farmers and food businesses are busy working in the fields and kitchens to bring delicious food to our plates, pantries, and freezers. Whether you make a salad with greens you picked up from a farmer’s market, cook a roast from the farm down the road, or enjoy meals at restaurants sourcing ingredients from our area’s growers, you are participating in our fabulous local food system. 

To highlight these valuable members in our community and give them the credit and support they deserve, join us on September 8th, 9th, 10th, 2023 for the second Local Foods Weekend! The weekend consists of different public events hosted by local farmers and food businesses. It is a 3-day celebration of the products and the people that grow, raise, sell, or prepare food in and nearby St. Lawrence County and is organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County. Every eater can play an active role in building a resilient local food system, and here’s a chance to learn more about the many farmers and food entrepreneurs involved. 

Visit one or more of the 30+ events at locations across St. Lawrence County. There’s something for all interests including children’s activities, special menus, free samples, guided farm tours, workshops, open houses, and more. 

Photo of a woman standing at her market tent with assorted herbs, vegetables, holding sunflowers.
Ashley Campbell of Trout and Heron in Potsdam is ready to welcome visitors to her new educational facilities with garden-centered creative children’s activities during the weekend.

Read more Save The Date for Local Foods Weekend 2023

How to share your extra garden produce

Nothing beats the taste of those first few harvests from the garden. The flavor and freshness, combined with the pride of knowing you grew it yourself, just can’t be beat. Once the newness wears off, the freezer fills, and the excitement of processing our garden goodies turns into a real chore though, we might find ourselves with an excess of wonderful food and no energy to deal with it.

Melons and lemon cucumbers harvested from CCE for donation
Melons and lemon cucumbers harvested from CCE for donation

When you find yourself with an overabundance, you can share it with the people in our community who love delicious, fresh food but have no means of growing their own. Here are some suggestions for connecting with them

The local organization GardenShare has created a comprehensive interactive map where you can easily search for food pantries and community meals in your area. Locations and details are listed online here.

screenshot of local food guide map from GardenShare
Sample of GardenShare’s interactive map results

United Helpers many subsidized housing units throughout the county, and their house managers would be glad to talk to you about donating to the residents. Recovery and Safe Houses also welcome donations and reaching out to their respective directors would help you understand what they need most, or what they could consume.

There are many food donation options in every community here in the North Country. In my experience, these organizations and the people they serve are always grateful for fresh, nutritious food, even if you only have enough for one family. Free will dinners sometimes provide “take home food” when they have extras, and your produce could be part of that offering. If we all share just a portion of our harvests, the impact will be staggering. Read more How to share your extra garden produce