Coming this Saturday, April 4th!

The Saturday Market returns, a month earlier than usual!

KEEP IT LOCAL, SALEM!

You have a positive impact on our local economy when you buy from SSM vendors who are independent, locally owned businesses. You also reduce your impact on the earth!

TEN REASONS TO SHOP AT SALEM SATURDAY MARKET &
THE WEDNESDAY FARMERS' MARKETS

1. Locally grown food tastes better and, because it's fresher, it lasts longer. Locally grown produce is usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested.

2. Local produce is better for you and better for our environment. Buying local shrinks the number of miles food has to travel before being eaten. That translates into less use of fossil fuels and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Local food preserves genetic diversity and is free of genetically modified biotechnology.

4. Buying local supports and strengthens local farm families and producers, providing jobs within our community.

5. Buying local connects our community and allows consumers to know the farmers, understand the seasons and respect the growing process.

6. Locally grown food preserves open spaces, supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife.

7. Buying local keeps more dollars in our community. One study shows that each dollar spent with a local grower is worth $2.50 for the community.

8. Buying local is a form of rebellion against industrial food and corporate farming.

9. Buying local is about the future, sustaining local farms, helping preserve the unique character of our community and helping you become a more engaged citizen.

10. Except for a couple grumps, we're not a bad lot to throw your support behind.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle group

Have you read or been wanting to read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver? If you haven't, well now you have a reason to!

Members of the community (aka many of us) are gathering for a potluck social to leisurely discuss this book and enjoy a meal together. This potluck is open to the public, no RSVP is required. Please bring a potluck dish to share – there are no 'local' or 'vegan' dish requirements to meet. Bringing your own dinnerware is optional, as Garten is stocked with some dishes, glasses and silverware. Which means we'll need to recruit volunteers for dish wash duty that evening too! In addition, if possible bring your own name tag ;) and don't forget your "Animal,Vegetable, Miracle" book and any notes or questions you want to discuss too!

When? Wednesday, April 15th, 5:30 to 7:30PM. This notice might give you time to completely finish reading; or at least get a start on it; or as we realize, you don't have to read it to be able to contribute to meaningful discussion ;)

You can purchase it for 10% off at Tea Partly Bookshop!

Where? Garten Services: 3334 Industrial Way NE Salem, OR 97301, #503-581-4472.

Why? Because we want to network with each other, get plugged into our local food web, understand our local food systems, and gain more skills and knowledge!

Contact community.dreamer@yahoo.com for more information.