Local Foods Weekend is fast approaching! While it may seem like “just another fall weekend,” in fact it’s a uniquely curated extravaganza with an incredible range of experiences into the farms and food system of the region. Over 30 public events hosted by food producers and businesses participating in Local Foods Weekend on September 8, 9, 10 offer you a chance to connect with and visit one or multiple locations. Here’s 6 tips to create a memorable weekend.
1. Discover different event activities
With so many options to choose from, we don’t want you to feel overwhelmed to plan your Local Foods Weekend experience. Think about what you’d like to see or do. Do you have a big family and want to find children’s activities? Is eating great local food a top priority? Do you love hands-on learning? Each business event is categorized by “activity type,” and many events are associated with multiple types. The 9 different categories of activity types include:
- Children’s Activities
- Demonstration
- Free Samples
- Guided Tours
- Live Music
- Open House
- Plein Air Viewing
- Prepared Foods
- Workshop
You can look for the activity types in the brochure found on the website here and check out the activity icons next to each event listing. These listings are also organized by day and time in the brochure, which can help narrow down events to attend.
2. Try something new
There’s many ways to go beyond your daily engagement with local foods. Get up close to the process by visiting one of the businesses that have built new ag facilities for pressing sweet cider (Canton Apples), baking bread (Earthbound Bread), making hard cider (Pierrepont Cider) and educating youth (Trout and Heron). Dig into food projects by making homemade sausage (Hoof and Horn) or fermenting fresh vegetables (littleGrasse Community Farm). See the tools in action that farmers are excited about such as a freeze drier (Martin’s Farmstand), a portable sawmill (WildWoods Farmstead), or greenhouse with radiant in floor heat (Kent Family Growers).
3. Read the event’s nitty gritty details
The beauty of Local Foods Weekend is that each participating business chooses what they want to offer, which has led to a rich mix of options for the public. But that means there’s information that is specific to a particular place or event. For example, while 85% of the events are free and open, some require pre-registration or entry fee. The Open Houses are events you stop by anytime during their hours while many guided tours start at a specific time. Access these details on the Local Foods Weekend website here and then click on the business name which takes you to an event page with essential information to be ready for your visit. The information includes location, parking, amenities, products for sale, payment types, registration, kid-friendly, and more.
4. Map out your route
Whether you already know where you want to go or prefer to stick to a certain geographic area, mapping out your route ahead of time is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on any fun events! Find event locations on the website here. Put these locations into Google maps and note the distances between events and event times to ensure you get to your event on schedule.
5. Celebrate art and farms
Extension is collaborating with the area non-profit SLC Arts who is offering outdoor (Plein Air) painting at farms across St. Lawrence County in the days leading up to Local Foods Weekend. Admire these paintings on display during the participating businesses Local Foods Weekend activities. Plein Air painting locations are noted on the Local Foods Weekend website in the participating businesses list and on the brochure. Check out the full schedule of events for the NoCo Arts Fest at the SLC Arts event page.
6. Enter to win a $100 gift certificate
At each event location, enter to win a $100 gift certificate to the business of your choice. Look for the prize sign, scan the QR code or enter the web address to access the entry form. The more locations you go to, the more entries and chances you have at winning! Extension will draw the winner and announce it the week after the event.
In summary, we are excited to spread the word about these upcoming events. We’ll probably cross paths with you as you get out into the community, and connect with the farmers, food businesses, and all their products. Have fun, learn new things, and eat delicious food!
Note: Extension is the organizer of Local Foods Weekend, but all events listed in the brochure or website are hosted by individual businesses. Contact the host businesses directly with questions about their activities. Their contact information is listed within each event on the CCE website.
Laurel Balog is the Food System Program Assistant within the Local Foods Team. She has a background in ecology, organic agriculture, food systems, and provides logistical and planning support for Extension’s Local Food programming.