Love local, fresh, good, clean, fair food? Then you might want to become a Local Food Advocate. By participating in this brand-new program, you can be a member of a trained corps of volunteers, helping local food groups talk to the public about sustainable food this summer at the Seacoast Growers Association (SGA) Farmer’s Markets, public fairs and festivals, and a wherever food is on people’s minds.

Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoast Eat Local, the SGA, and Seacoast Local (the “4 Food Groups,” as we sometimes like to call ‘em), are teaming up to offer this collaborative training opportunity. On Saturday, May 2 (first day of the Portsmouth SGA Farmers’ Market!) please join us for a training session that will run from 12:30 - 2:00. We’ll meet at the Farmer’s Market Info Booth at 12:30 to look at the setup for sharing information about the market and local food events. Then, we’ll head over to the Portsmouth Library’s Hilton Garden Room for the “classroom” portion of the training. There, you’ll learn more about the food awareness movement and how our local organizations are working to improve the food system and local economy for everyone. You’ll get fact sheets about each of the 4 Food Groups, information about how a local food system improves our lives, tips and tricks, and answers to frequently asked questions. Also at the training, we’ll sign you up for a day of “shadowing” with an experienced volunteer so you can learn the ropes.

We know many of the supporters of these four groups would really like to spend more time doing outreach with the public - but just want a little help figuring out what to say and which information to share. This training will help you do just that and give you all the tools to be an informative and inspiring Food Advocate. Please join us! RSVP recommended (but not required - come if you can!) to SlowFoodSeacoast@GMail.com

Local Food Advocates Training
Day: Saturday, May 2
Time: 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Place: Meet at Portsmouth Farmer’s Market Info Booth, walk to Portsmouth Public Library about 1:00 PM
Bring: weather-appropriate clothing, notepaper and pen, and your personal story of what got you interested in local food!

Seacoast Eat Local has their ear to the ground this spring, listening for CSA shares that are still unclaimed. Thanks to them we have this information to share:

Looking for a smart way to get your veggies this year? Connect directly with a local farm through a CSA share. The following farms still have plenty of shares available:

Heron Pond Farm still has shares for Portsmouth and farm stand pick ups. Visit the web site for more information.

Sustainable Farm Products LocalMotive CSA - many pickup locations throughout the seacoast! Visit the website for more information.

Andy’s Greens Delivery to downtown Portsmouth available. Online credit card payment option. Visit the website for more information.

Two Toad Farm in Lebanon, Maine still has plenty of full CSA shares left for the 2009 summer season. Full shares cost $475.00 and are designed to feed a family of four. Distribution begins in early June, and extends until the end of September (18-20 weeks). Visit the website for details and a signup sheet. Credit card purchase available at Farmfield Nursery and Greenhouses. Contact: Jordan Pike, 207-252-1103

Members of the Dover Cassily Community Garden and the Dover Energy Commission have joined together to present a day of free workshops, learning, and fun on Saturday, April 18th at the McConnell Center in Dover, NH. Workshops throughout the day include Gardening Workshops on Soils, Pests & Diseases, Growing Biofuels, and Beekeeping and Energy Workshops such as Energy Efficiency, EnergyStar Appliances, Energy Tax Credits & Rebates, and Renewables. Some of the speakers on hand will be John Carroll, UNH Professor of Natural Resources, Jack Bingham, SEA Solar Store Owner, Eric Steltzer, NH Office of Energy & Planning, Dorn Cox, UNH Natural Resources Graduate Student at Kingman Farm and Linda Darveau, New England Environmental Protection Agency.

April 18th, 10am-3pm 61 Locust St Dover, NH

Presented by Dover Energy Advisory Committee and Dover Cassily Community Garden. Free and open to everyone. More information at www.seacoasteatlocal.org

After this market on Saturday, there won’t be another farmers’ market for two months, when the summer markets begin the first Saturday in May in Portsmouth!

Farmers’ and fishermen will be on hand to help you stock up on local meats of all varieties, dairy, eggs, and much more. Several farmers will be bringing greens that have overwintered in the ground in greenhouses. We’ve heard from Heron Pond Farm that they’ll be bringing spinach, chard, salad mix, escarole, possibly other greens, and potatoes. The Yankee Fishermen’s Coop learned to expect greater demand and will be bringing a lot more local shrimp and their fresh, affordable lobsters!

March 7, 10am-2pm at the Stratham Town Hall, 10 Bunker Hill Ave

Directions, participating farms, and more information

Help spread the word! Send an email along to coworkers, friends, family members and let them know about this market.

Volunteers needed: help farmers carry in their goods in the morning a get a sneak peek at what is available. Contact kate@seacoasteatlocal.org if you’d like to volunteer.