Fear not, as the summer comes to an end there is still time to get out and enjoy some quality time with the local community in North Georgia. The Downtown Canton Farmers’ Market and Main Street Woodstock Farmers Market will continue to operate every Saturday morning into September. Located in the cities of Canton and Woodstock Georgia, these farmers markets offer product selections from local area businesses and farmers. Farmers markets provide a great opportunity to meet and show support for your local farmers while also enjoying a morning outside.
For more information on the Downtown Canton Farmers’ Market. Located at 130 E. Main St., Canton, GA, 30114
For more information on the Main Street Woodstock Farmers Market. Located at Woodstock Community Church Parking Lot, Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, GA 30188
Farmers Markets: Canton, GA and Woodstock, GA
Moving? Rent a Green Box.
Just like the name implies, Rent-a-Green-Box provides a rental service for reusable plastic shipping boxes. Called “Recopacks,” the green boxes are made from recycled HDPE plastics. Instead of using cardboard boxes to pack up your home, Rent-a-Green-Box will drop-off your recopacks at your door. Once you’ve packed, moved, and unpacked, the company will pick-up your recopacks and prepares them for their next big move. The company offers recycled green boxes, shipping materials, and even a recycled aluminum moving dolly.
Learn more about Rent-A-Green-Box on their website. They currently offer services in California but they’re expanding nationally, so keep an eye out for them in your town soon.
1st Annual BSSL Golf FORE Charity Tournament
We are excited to announce our partnership and sponsorship of the 1st Annual BridgeMill-Sixes Service League (BSSL) Golf FORE Charity Tournament. The tournament will be held on August 30, 2010 at the BridgeMill Athletic Club in Canton, GA. Proceeds from the charity golf tournament will go toward the support of local charities through the service league. The event will include a putting contest, silent auction and the golf tournament. Play will be followed by a cocktail hour, luncheon and awards ceremony.
Open to individual and team registrations. Visit the BSSL Golf website for more information, registration forms, and event sponsorship details.
Green Event: The Porter’s Farm Tour
Tour the gardens at The Porter Beer Bar in Inman Park and enjoy Peak Organic Beer and a pig roast, while supporting Georgia Organics. The event will be held on July 31, 2010 from 12p – 6p at The Porter, the pig roast starts at 3p. There will also be an urban hay ride through the Porter Farm in Inman Park. . [photo: theporterbeerbar.com]
Tickets can be purchased online in advanced for a $5 discount ($25) or purchased the day of the event ($30).
Georgia Organics: Connecting Local, Sustainably Grown Food
Georgia Organics is a non-profit organization that connects Georgians with local, sustainably grown food. The organization is supported by members and publishes a monthly newsletter (e-dirt), quarterly newsletter (dirt), and the Local Food Guide. In addition, Georgia Organics hosts an annual conference and conducts workshops and field days to educate farmers on sustainable farming practices. They also provide a forum for discussion and educational articles for organic farming and gardening.
Visit the Georgia Organics website for a search-friendly directory of sustainable farms, gardens, co-ops, markets, etc. You can also search for local farms and gardens using their Google Maps search feature.
Top 5: Reasons We Love Produce Delivery
Not too long ago we wrote about Nature’s Garden Delivered, a local company that offers a scheduled delivery service for fruits and vegetables. Since signing-up for the service, we’ve noticed a few changes in our lifestyle. Here’s our Top 5 reasons to love local produce delivery service:
1. Healthy Meals – each week we receive a selection of produce that varies but always contains a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Since it’s delivered each week, we find ourselves eating more produce and less processed food. Even if the reason is as simple as not wanting to see the food go to waste, it has definitely impacted our eating habits.
2. Cooking at Home – we continuously have fresh produce in our home and since we don’t want it to go to waste, we end up experimenting with different recipes and use all of our new found food. It also gives us more time to spend with our family, and the whole family can participate in preparing the meals.
3. Saves Time on Trips to the Store – let’s face it, not everyone enjoys running to the grocery store each week for food. Compound that with a growing family and the trips become less fun and more time consuming. So any time saver is well appreciated and having a food delivery service lets us spend more time elsewhere.
4. Supports Local Economy and Small Businesses – most of the produce delivery companies and neighborhood farm cooperatives are supporting the local economy and are the dreams of passionate entrepreneurs, so we enjoy being able to support them on that journey.
5. Good for the Environment – the produce is farmed and sourced close to your home, so there’s less travel and distance between the farm and your table. That equates to a lower carbon footprint in food distribution.
RIPE: All Natural Cocktail Mixers
The next time your in the mood to mix-up a cocktail creation, why not treat yourself to something all natural and enjoy a new level of taste sensation. RIPE All Natural Cocktail Mixers ($9) are a new alternative to the traditional drink mixer. Available in Margarita, Bloody Mary, and Sour flavors. Made from fresh squeezed juices, filtered water and Agave nectar, the mixers lose the high-fructose corn syrup, perservatives and other artificial flavors. RIPE mixers are available through the RIPE online store or at select northeastern retailers and Whole Foods Markets.
[Image Credit: drinkripe.com]
EcoTourism: Lapa Rios Ecolodge
Located in Costa Rica, the Lapa Rios Ecolodge is an ecotourism destination. The resort is set on a 1,000 acre private nature reserve located in the tropical rainforests of Central America. Featuring 16 private cabanas situated along 3 ridges, the resort was built as a model ecotourism project. Lapa Rios Ecolodge incorporates locally made furnishings, locally sourced food, educational tours and environmental activities into a unique visiting experience. The resort serves as both a sustainable project and a local business employing local families. This is the opportunity to enjoy ocean views, lush tropical rainforests, and a relaxing vacation all while learning more about the Costa Rican ecosystem and sustainability practices that you can use at home. Visit the Lapa Rios Ecolodge website for more information.
[Source and Image Credit: www.laparios.com]
Menu Water Carafe by Jakob Wagner
It’s time to ditch the bottled water in your fridge and replace it with a glass carafe featuring modern design. The Menu Water Carafe was designed by Jakob Wagner and features a smart lid that automatically opens when you pour. The lid is designed to hold back those ice cubes and lemon wedges, while still maintaining a unqiue design. The carafe is made of glass, stainless steel, plastic, and silicone. Why not fill it with filtered tap water and replace those plastic water bottles with a reusable and functional work of art! The bottle retails for around $60, check it out online at Amazon.com.
Heys Eco Leaves 3-Piece Luggage Set
If you’re headed off to a top-notch eco-resort this vacation or offsetting your next plane flight – this luggage set may be for you. The Heys Eco Leaves luggage set is made from 100% recycled plastic and features frameless construction, expandable design, piggy-back capability and all the features of modern luggage. Heys product series also includes the Renovo luggage set made from 100% Repreve ™ recycled polyester fiber and the Eco Case set made from 100% recycled abs plastic. Part of their Green Travel line of products, these luggage sets are sure to be a hit on your next trip.
