Ashland, OH- A Farmer’s market and information fair will be held on March 27th, from 7-9pm in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium and surrounding areas. The film ‘Good Food’ will also be presented twice during this event at start times of 7:15pm and 8:15pm. This program is sponsored by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence at Ashland University and is free and open to the public.
Participants of this program include Local Roots Ashland, a unique type of market, first established in Wooster, OH in 2009. An affiliate market to Local Roots Wooster, they will provide a year-round outlet where shoppers can conveniently browse a variety of products from local producers. When asked, Louise Fleming, an Ashland resident stated that “Local Roots is a wonderful asset in the Ashland Community! I am so excited to have locally grown foods and local products, including meats and cheeses, available all year round. Joining the cooperative is a chance for people to make an investment in the community where they live.
Other vendors include Ann’s Raspberry Farm & Specialty Crops (raspberries & other theme-related items), Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Goldberry Roasting Company (coffee), Honey Haven Farms, LLC. (potted herbs & flowers, honey bears, and hot pepper butter), Martha’s Farm, Maple Syrup Vendor, Samaritan Hospital Nutritionist, Trinity Farms and Amish baked goods.
“We realize it is very early in the season to host a farmer’s market; however, we are excited to invest in our community and provide this opportunity to members of the Ashland community”, said Dottie Collura, Assistant Director of ACN, “We’re expecting a great turnout”.
The video Good Food visits the producers, farmers’ markets, distributors, markets, restaurants and public officials who are working together to develop a more sustainable food system for all. Described by author Frances Moore Lappe as “a film to awaken our taste buds and our courage,” Good Food explores the local foods and farming system in the Pacific Northwest. With the resurgence of a local food economy in this area, the film explores how this has occurred and highlights specific stories of individuals who are affecting this change.
Good Food was created by Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin, and has received very positive reviews from film critics and other local food economy experts. It offers the opportunity for individuals to see the success that locals foods can provide for a community, so that other areas can implement similar local food strategies themselves.
The farmer’s market and information fair will take place before, during and after the screening and will consist of several tables with local and neighboring produce, in addition to information regarding healthy food options and sustainable living. It also will take place in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, in areas surrounding the auditorium.
This program is the final one in ACN’s annual symposium on “Creating a Caring Community” which focused their efforts on local foods and building community. Previous events included March 13th’s “Food, Farms, and Community” and February 14th’s “The Emerging Local Food Economy and What It Means for Ashland.”
The Ashland Center for Nonviolence, located on the campus of Ashland University, is committed to exploring and promoting alternatives to violence in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world. The center is committed to finding choices when there seem to be none, as well as answering the seemingly unanswerable question, “What else can we do?” For more information about this event, or to learn more about the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, please call 419-289-5313 or visit us online at www.ashland.edu/acn. ###
