Exchange Student

Some unexpected purchases at this week's market. My game plan for the last week of August was to focus on more produce, less meats and get a few yummy loaves of bread from Pleasant View Orchards. When I purchased a loaf of Italian herb bread from Hillcrest Catering, I was also given a dozen dinner rolls at a discount. Since most of my baking endeavors have come out less than ideal I was more than grateful to take his extra castoffs. Finally, after three weeks of substituting unleavened whole grain for buns and toast, I now have a dozen chewy hamburger and sandwich buns! Fried eggs sandwiches,  here I come!
Wilson Creek Gardens was running a special on beans so I got 3 pounds of purple beans.  I wasn't able to buy Ashley's whole wheat flour this week and after a moment of panic -no crepes!- I decided to ration what I have left for white sauce for all those beans. Slagle's was offering 5/$1  jalepeno peppers so looks like I will be making salsa this week.
While I decided to forego bread at Pleasant View, I did pick up some granola and a pint of blueberries as an alternative to egg breakfasts. A T-bone for hubby, broccoli for me and I was set...all I needed now was lettuce for all the salads I'd be eating.
Alas, nobody was selling lettuce at the market. Again, minor panic. What do you eat on salad if there is no lettuce? Another opportunity for me to reach outside my comfort zone and try something new, something exotic, something like ...bok choy! I figured if I didnt try it this week, I may never so I will give it a try.
I also picked up potatoes to go with my new cookbook from Greenway Books in Iron Mountain. Again, where was this book three weeks ago?

Really, the biggest discovery came this week when my boss handed me this month's Dickinson Conservation District Newsletter featuring an article about The U.P. Food Exchange . This organization supports local food activities throughout the Upper Peninsula via three regional food hubs. The mission of the Central U.P. Food Hub ( the counties in Central upper peninsula, my radius) "seeks to build and maintain a healthy, sustainable, local food system...that is accessible to EVERYONE via advocacy and lasting policy change." 

WOO HOO! Why hadn't I heard of this before? The website includes a directory of local farmers and foods, an online market, upcoming events and  links to co-ops, forums, and

 - my favorite- farm tours!

I could spend hours on this website. I had no idea there was a Food Exchange and am blown away over the volumes of information provided here. I wonder if Wisconsin has a similar organization.
One trip I hope to make before summer is out is to the Marquette Food Co-Op. 
        Doesn't this look enticing? Couldn't every one of us benefit from a place like this downtown?