September 25, 2009

Hello Arkavores!

We hope you are coming down to Argenta this weekend for some more good food.  We have another interesting and full market planned this Saturday from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m at 6th and Main Street in downtown North Little Rock's historic Argenta District.  Along with the farmers market, the Argenta community is hosting the the Big Dam Bridge 100 Finale Fest.
The finish line is in front of the Farmers Market parking lot, so we've moved ourselves about 100 yards to make way for the finish line crew and supporters of the racers.  We will have live music provided by Conrad & Sara of Conway, and hopefully the full quartet of UCA professors back by popular demand.  On the block between 4th Street and Broadway will be a stage with live music as well as bike- and health-related vendors for the racers. Coincidentally, this falls on the last day of Argenta Restaurant Week, so it's a good time to sample the food Argenta has to offer while special prices are still in effect.

Driving Tips for Saturday
Main Street is blocked off from Broadway up to 7th Street. I suggest you come into Argenta from the Interstate exit (Broadway exit nearest the Verizon Arena coming from Little Rock); go straight across Broadway and take a left at the next light, then go about two blocks and turn in beside the Trolley Barn.  It will be easy in and out.  The bike race route is only blocking traffic on the west side of Main Street.  Those coming in from North Little Rock side shouldn't have any problems getting down to CAFM Argenta.

The Basket-a-Month CSA program is distributing baskets at CAFM Argenta this weekend at usual, but in a slightly different location. If you have questions about BAM, please e-mail csalittlerock@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Events
September 25-26, Little Rock Sustainability Summit, Statehouse Convention Center.  I am making a presentation and participating in a panel discussion about local food. 

September 29, Will Allen: Growing Power meeting is set for 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Neighborhood Center at 4805 Pine (on the corner of 12th and Pine). This is a discussion around building urban gardening and food supply within the city by a well-known urban farmer who recently received the McArthur Genius award for his work.  

October 17, Fall Foodie Fest – mark your calendar for this unusual event occurring for the second time this year.  We have over 20 local chefs partnering with the 20-plus farmers of CAFM to create a truly local food event.  This challenging event is coming together bigger and better than the first one we held on July 4. We'll have knife sharpening, soap making demonstrations, fall decorations, mums, live music, and some of the most delicious prepared local foods you'll ever see all at one time and in one place in Arkansas.  This is the same day as Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This year the Virginia Clinton Kelley Festival for the Cure is part of Foodie Fest in Argenta, making it an even higher quality event.

See you at the Market!

Jody Hardin
Executive Director/President
Certified Arkansas Farmers Market
www.ArkansasFood.net
www.cafm.locallygrown.net