From Acorn Farmers Market: A letter to the community

The Acorn Farmers Market and Cafe has grown substantially over the last eight months … help it to grow even more by supporting its Patronicity project. The business is trying to raise a total of $50,000 by September 10 and if successful, will receive a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Commission.

This letter is written to the community on behalf of the Acorn Farmers Market & Café, by Laura Wolgemuth, the former Manchester Farmer’s Market Manager and a new member of the Board of Directors for Acorn. It is part of a series of articles submitted by the Acorn Board of Directors, to promote the Patronicity drive supporting the new market in Manchester. As of Monday morning, the drive has $13,095 pledged toward its $50,000 goal (slightly over 25 percent).

Dear Loving Community,

Alright y’all … I’m getting personal. Why? Because I can get all scientific on why eating healthy local foods is wonderful for you, or I can share my personal experience with you! While I enjoy learning and researching facts involving health, sometimes an emotional experience can teach us more.

Think of this as a one on one conversation – me and you – a heart to heart.

I am completely passionate that eating local produce and local food is the best healthy you can be. The local farmers markets and farms providing me access to this has been such a blessing in my life.

Why am I so passionate? Well, as they say, the proof is in the pudding!

Although I may not be at my ideal weight, I’ve always felt healthy, happy, and for the most part, full of energy and it’s definitely due to my diet of local food focusing on vegetables (and maybe a few walks and bike rides too).

I notice such a difference when I go on vacation. Going from my typical diet at home eating local foods and focusing on vegetables, compared to when away from home and eating out at restaurants even though I’m sure to order vegetables. After just one or two days of getting away from eating local food and lots of veggies, I start feeling tired, I need to sleep more, and overall just don’t feel as well.

Nutrients are quickly lost in produce after it’s been harvested, so the sooner it gets from farm to table the more health benefits it can provide!

And eggs? I’m sure any of you who have experienced farm fresh eggs know there is no comparison to those purchased from a grocery store.

Maybe you’d like to eat healthier, but just don’t know where to start?

I try to always start with a vegetable at every meal and base the rest of my meal around it. Vegetables are low in calories, yet full of important micronutrients and fiber.

I’ve never not liked a cooked vegetable in my omelette. They seem to all be delicious mixed with eggs.

I’ll usually eat raw veggies for lunch, and either steam, boil, or  sauté vegetables for dinner. Grilling veggies is delicious too.

If you are new to vegetables or just haven’t liked them in the past, sauté with butter and seasoning (an easy salt, pepper, and garlic is one of my favorite combinations!). Butter pretty much gives all vegetables a desirable flavor. Butter? You say. Yes. In moderation, butter is good for you and adds a delicious flavor to your veggies! Coconut oil is great for sautéeing as well. Olive oil is healthy too, but be sure to only simmer on low heat as high heat diminishes some if the health benefits of olive oil.

Start your journey to health one vegetable at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Just add a few new veggies to your farmers market order starting this week!

I can truly taste the difference between the local produce and those that have been transported from out of state or out of country. Not only do I taste the difference, but I can feel the difference.

I appreciate having the opportunity to get to know my local farmers and the products they give us. I appreciate that Acorn Farmers’ Market has all of these in one place, thus making it so easy to eat healthy and local.

Eating local foods Not only gives us the physical health benefits, but the emotional and mental health benefits knowing that you are keeping your money local and helping these farms stay in business. Doing the right thing and having a good conscience also adds to our overall health. We, living here in Manchester, have an advantage to being so close to our food’s “birth place.”

Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café wants to continue growing to serve our community – the customers, farmers and other vendors. Please help Acorn achieve the matching funds needed through the Patronicity Campaign and further our journeys to healthy lives and happy hearts.

To learn more about Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café please visit www.patronicity.com/acorn. Tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted on the website or by mailing a check to:

Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café
P.O. Box 432
Manchester, MI 48158

Thanks for taking the time to share my personal love for local foods and the joy they bring me.

Sincerely,
Laura Wohlgemuth

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.