Stocking Samaritan House's Pantry!

Marla and daughter Sonia working through the chill!

Farmer Man trying to hide!

We decided on a new venture for this October: a Farmers Market to benefit our local Food Bank, run by Samaritan House.  Our friends, and farmers market mentors, Menno and Evelyn Isaac had suggested we invite Samaritan House to come at the end of markets we organized.  Any produce unsold would be put to good use by the Food Bank, and we loved the idea!  Over the six years we've been organizing markets here in Brandon we've come to know Marla and Marcia, the driving forces at Samaritan House, quite well and we have sooooo much respect for what they do in the community.  A few years ago, we instituted a sponsorship for CSA shares for Samaritan House clients and it's been quite successful!  It's been a joy to share the veggies with them: so enthusiastic, so appreciative, so interested in sharing cooking and preserving tips!

Our friends at the local businesses Stream 'n' Wood and Lady of the Lake have been interested in a farmers market for a while, so it seemed like a natural to try it out at these side-by-side businesses with a great, visible location!  Today was our second Saturday, and even though it was blustery and chilly, we had a great day!  Both businesses jumped on board with nice bonuses for people who brought something for the Food Bank and we offered a discount of 10% at our table.  It was a good vibe - drop something off for the Food Bank, get your coupons, shop at the Market, shop at the Stream, lunch at the Cafe!  Word's getting out and we had a better turn-out today, with more donations for the Food Bank!  Marla is keeping track of donations, and we'll give you a total at the end of the month!  Meantime, if you're in Brandon on a Saturday in the next three weeks, come on out!  Bring an item (or items!) for the Food Bank, get a deal on great local produce, get a deal at Stream 'n' Wood and make time to take advantage of a deal that day on lunch at the Cafe at Lady of the Lake!  And don't forget: if you've had a great year in your veggie garden, Samaritan House will happily take any excess for their families!  Hope to see you there; stop by and say hi Saturdays in October from 10:00 AM until Noon!