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Feast Magazines Awards Features Many Friends of the Food Circle

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The Kansas City Food Circle is proud to partner with several of the winningest folks on the food scene in KC! Feast Magazine released their 2015 Feast 50 Awards in the current issue and many of the names on the list are restaurants (and a chef!) that participate in our Eat Local and Organic Dining Card. One of our KCFC Member Farmers even made the list for best cheese maker.
That's because the best chefs and restaurateurs in the business know that sourcing locally will get the most delicious results. Food that comes from close to home and chefs and restaurateurs that build relationships with local farmers - that makes for a winning combination.
We are proud to supply these fine establishments and are grateful to all our amazing restaurants who have committed to working with the local, organic, and free-range farmers in our organization. Together these folks bring the best of our region straight to your plates. And to them all we say Thank You!
KCFC Award Winners in the FEAST 50 list:
- Alex Pope, Local Pig and Cleaver & Cork - Chef of the Year
- The Rieger, Restaurant of the Year
- The Rieger, Mixologist - Runner Up
- Story., Restaurant of the Year - Runner Up
- Green Dirt Farm, Cheesemaker
- Local Pig, Charcuterie Maker
- Local Pig, Butcher Shop
- Eden Alley Cafe, Vegetarian Only
- Cafe Gratitude, Vegetarian Only - Runner Up
- The Sundry, Artisan Food Shop - Runner Up
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Celebrate July 4th the Local, Organic Way

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Screen Shot 2015-07-01 at 4.34.11 PMGet ready to celebrate your Fourth of July holiday the local, organic, and free-range way! Stop by our favorite farmers markets and retailers this week to get delicious goods from #kcfcmember farmers. And check out a Fourth of July celebration at one of our member farms!

Our list of ALL area Farmers Markets is HERE. And our list of Featured Organic Farmers Markets is HERE. You can shop the Waldo market on Wednesday, 3:00-7:00. There are two markets on Friday: Ivanhoe (3700 Woodland) from 5:00-7:00 and Badseed (19th and McGee) from 4:00-9:00. There are also two markets on Saturday: KC Organics and Natural Market at Minor Park is from 8:00-12:30; Brookside Farmers Market (63rd and Wornall) runs from 8:00-1:00.

11411736_998685796817223_3251952550466598482_oNote: Brookside is offering a special customer appreciation drawing to show gratitude for your continued support of their local farmers! With each purchase you make on Saturday you can get your name entered into a drawing for a fair trade basket filled with $100 of goodies from the farmers and vendors. There will be two baskets raffled off. Stop by and buy for your chance to win!

There are several grocery stores and shops around town where you can find some local, organic goods. Look for the names of your favorite #KCFCMember farmers at our Featured Retailers as well as other fine grocery stores around town. And don't forget to preorder your baked goods from Heirloom Bakery and Hearth in Brookside - they'll be closing early on Saturday the 4th, but will have lots of delicious local and organic treats for your festivities. Click HERE for their Fourth of July Menu.

Our #KCFCMember Cobinesteinz Farm in Bucyrus, Kansas will be hosting a Fourth of July party on their farm! Come see the farm and enjoy an evening with friends and a spectacular fireworks show. The event starts at 4:00. For more details click HERE.

Last but not least, here are some great summertime recipes, too!

- Zucchini and tomatoes - http://blog.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free/meatless-mondays-chana-dal-with-zucchini/
- Beets - http://www.meatlessmonday.com/recipes/my-heart-beets-salad/
- Red, White and Blue Veggie kabob - http://foodandfam.com/red-white-blue-veggie-kabobs/

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and share pictures of your local, organic, and free-range Independence Day feast with the hashtag #eatlocalkc.

Have a safe, happy, and delicious holiday weekend!

MFandUG

This Weekend! Maker Faire and Urban Grown Farms and Gardens Tour

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Our fabulous KCFC Member Farmers will be participating in two big events this weekend! Won't you come on out and join the fun? We'd love to see you!

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Maker Faire KC - June 27, 28

The 5th Annual Maker Faire is back at Union Station this weekend! Several of our farmers will be on hand - we've got some genuine makers in our midst! There will be a soap demo, info on worm composting, aquaponics, and seed-saving, and a virtual beehive!

Our KC Food Circle tent will feature a couple of our sponsors, markets, and partners - Harvesters, Wood & Salt, Seed Savers KC, Bread of Life, Waldo Farmers Market and Brookside Farmers Market - and a whole bunch of our KCFC Member Farmers, including Buds and Berries (Wisely Farms), Adams Osage Ridge, Antioch Urban Growers, Black Dogs Farm, Homestead Hill, Maries Alpaca Acres, Smoky Hills, Borgmans Dairy, Fruitful Hills, Stony Crest Urban Farm, Small Barn Farm, and Pearly Gates. Old Wood Farm (Antique Woods) will also be in attendance at Maker Faire.

Come make • create • craft • build & play with us! The Faire is 10-6 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Details at MakerFairekc.com.

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Urban Grown Farms and Gardens Tour - June 27, 28

Cultivate KC has prepared another amazing roster of urban farms and gardens to tour for this year's Urban Grown event! We're proud to have 6 of our folks on the list!

As you're planning your Urban Grown self-guided tour, be sure to stop by and see our KCFC Member Farmers!

  • City Bitty Farm - 9615 Grandview Road, KCMO 64137
  • Gibbs Road Farm- 4223 Gibbs Road, KCK 66106
  • Juniper Gardens Training Farm (New Roots for Refugees) - 100 Richmond Avenue, KCK 66101
  • Niles Garden (one of our Featured Organic Farmers Markets!) - 1911 E 23rd Street, KCMO 64127
  • Urban Farming Guys - 1121 Myrtle Avenue, KCMO 64127
  • Urbavore Urban Farm - 5500 Bennington Avenue, KCMO 64129

Like our friends at Cultivate KC say, Urban Grown is much more than a tour. It's a celebration of the good food growing in our city! And it's an amazing and fun way to get to know the folks who grow your food. Come see for yourself! The Tour is 9-4 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday. Details at CultivateKC.org.

Note: KCFC Eater Members get discounted tickets! Single tickets are regularly $8 but you can get a $3 KCFC Member Discount. Email to get your discount code.

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U-Pick Berries and More

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It's berry season! Did you know that a few of our KCFC Member Farmers offer U-pick options for berries? This is a great way to see precisely where you food comes from and how it was grown. And you can pick with confidence knowing that our farmers grow according to our KCFC pledges so you're getting the healthiest fruits for your family.

Make time to visit one of these farms, take friends and family along, and enjoy berries that are the freshest of the fresh! Also, U-pick sometimes provides a better bang for your buck, cost-wise.
Contact each of these farms directly to find out what kind of berries they have, when their u-pick programs are open, and what the costs are. And get ready to soak up some sun and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor!
Adrian, MO
Lexington, MO
St. Joseph, MO
Platte City
816-786-3302 By Appointment Only
PS: Looking for more U-pick options?
- Check out Liberty Hill Farm in Centerview, MO where CSA members can enjoy u-pick vegetables all season long. Contact to sign up today!
- More U-pick options are available in the fall, including chestnuts from Chestnut Charlie's Organic Tree Crops in Lawrence, KS. and pumpkins from Fahrmeier Family Farm.
DID YOU KNOW?
Strawberries are high on the Dirty Dozen list prepared by the Environmental Working Group to indicate which conventional produce carries the highest level of pesticide residue. These dozen fruits and vegetables are the ones that you definitely want to buy organic. Not to mention, fresh local berries simply taste better!

 

CSA goods

CSA POINTERS and IDEAS

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This is an excerpt of an article called "Sharing: How I Found My Way to CSA" by Emily Akins, originally published in Edible KC.

 

Community Supported Agriculture - or CSA - is a wonderful way to eat with the seasons and to get to know the people who grow your food. And even though we know that eating locally is rewarding, we also know that sometimes it takes a shift in both mindset and methods. Here are a few ideas to make life as a locavore much simpler.

  • Get the tools you need to process your food. One of the things that makes processed food so easy is that it’s ready to cook and eat. CSA vegetables have to be chopped and prepped. Some things shouldn’t be washed or chopped until you’re ready to eat, like tomatoes, for instance, but many vegetables and greens can be washed and chopped in advance so they will be ready when you are. Take one night a week to prep veggies so they are ready to use. I use a salad spinner, a lot of storage containers for the fridge, a good sharp knife, and a mandoline.
  • Use seasonal recipes and cookbooks. Websites and cookbooks that are focused on local food are helpful, especially if they are organized by vegetable. Particularly helpful are local cookbooks featuring the produce I get in my CSA. Examples: “Rolling Prairie Cookbook” and the University of Missouri extension program’s “Seasonal and Simple” cookbook and website http://seasonalandsimple. info. CSA farmers always have good recipes many of which incorporate several ingredients from each share into one meal.
  • Create a “reverse grocery list.” One of the nice things about food from a CSA is that it’s fresh. But, fresh also means it’s not shelf stable. Hardier greens, veggies, and peppers will last a week or two; tomatoes, peas, beans and berries need to be eaten sooner, etc. Create a prioritized list of all share items based on how long they stay fresh and what needs to be eaten first. Use this to plan meals based on what you need to use. I call this the “reverse grocery list” because it tells me the things I already have – not the things I need to buy.
  • Have the right staples on hand and be flexible. I have learned that I can turn almost any assortment of CSA vegetables and herbs into either a stir-fry or pasta. If you have on hand the right sauces (or better yet – make your own and preserve them!) and the right grains (whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, noodles etc.), you will find it easy to whip together a hearty meal using a colorful, eat-the-rainbow assortment of whatever CSA vegetables happened to be harvested that week.

WANT TO JOIN A CSA?

If you are interested in finding a CSA that is right for you, email

laura

Looking for a CSA?

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Are you looking for a connection to how your food is grown and the people who grow it? Or are you a foodie who demands the best ingredients? Or are you short on time and can't make it to the farmer's markets? Then a CSA farm subscription is the perfect way to get your local, organic goodness!

Click the link below for an easy to reference list of local, organic, and free-range farmers who have CSAs. Chance are, at least one has drop off point near you! For more in-depth information on each farm in the list, visit our handy CSA Directory page.

2015 KC Food Circle CSA Farms

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We Love Moms!

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Spring is here (at last!) which means, Mother's Day is right around the corner.

You could get a sweet "Mom" tattoo to show her your devotion. OR, consider our Two for $50 KC Food Circle membership deal. Which means you can get yourself a KCFC membership and get your mom her own KCFC membership.* We will even send Mom a beautiful card for you featuring photography of local food and farms in Kansas City! All you have to do is to pick one of the fantastic and sustainable restaurants on our Eat Local and Organic Dining Card and take Mom out for brunch on her big day.

*Already have a KCFC membership for 2015? No problem! You can still buy one for Mom with the discounted rate.

KCFC Membership makes a great gift! Your loved one will get the Eat Local and Organic Dining Card plus invitations to events, farm to table dinners, special members-only events and a special card to celebrate the day.

Now you can celebrate the Moms in your life the local, organic way! And if you still want to get some ink, who are we to judge?

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It’s Expo Season!

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Is this your first time to the Eat Local & Organic Expos? Let us help answer some of your questions! We can't wait for you to join us at these big events!

Why should I go to the Expo?

Because you eat. Whether you are just learning about local food or are a long-time member of the organic movement, the Expos have something just for you. You'll have the chance to buy delicious food directly from the local farmers who work hard to grow food for Kansas City. You will also have access to a wealth of resources and knowledge about local, organic food and sustainable practices.

 

What is "the Expo?"

The Expos are like giant, indoor farmers markets; one is March 28 and one is April 11.

 

 

What can I buy?

Local, organic, free-range fare! Early spring vegetables and herbs, eggs, meat, cheese, bread, honey, a few other goodies like jams and soap - maybe even a handmade wooden spoon!

 

Who will be there?

Farmers! And they would love to meet you!

 

Should I go to one expo or both?

Either! You can stock up at the first event but then you'll want to replenish your stock of fresh greens so come on back to the second one!

 

Can I bring my kids?

Yes! In fact, this year's workshop is geared for kids of all ages. The "Little Sprouts" workshop is a great way to teach kids about nature. From 10-10:45 at both Expos, Dayna McDaniel of SeedSavers-KC will host this introduction to seeds, pollination, fruit production and seed harvest. Kids will plant a pot of seeds to grow at home. This hands-on nature activity will give kids and parents alike the basic lessons in the magic of gardening and will give them the tools they need to get growing!

And meeting farmers is an important way to help both kids and adults learn and appreciate where their food comes from. And if you bring your kids to the KC Food Circle booth, they'll get a free sticker!

 

Should I bring my neighbor/friend/family member?

Yes! The expos are a great way to spend the day with people you like or love!

 

Can I sign up for one of those CSA things?

Yep! Talk to farmers directly and in person to get all your CSA questions answered so you can get signed up with confidence!

 

What's a CSA?

So glad you asked! It's a subscription to a farm that gets you a weekly share of fresh produce and sometimes meat, eggs, and cheese. It's a perfect way to improve your diet, support your local farm, and eat with the seasons.

 

What if I don't know how to cook the stuff I buy?

We'd love to introduce you to the Seasonal and Simple cookbook, a helpful guide and an important fundraiser for our all-volunteer non-profit organization. And a great resource for when you join that CSA you've had your eye on.

 

What else is a good source for when I join that CSA?

Farmers! They love to help you get to know where your food came from, how to store it, prepare it, preserve it, and enjoy it!

 

Should I bring a bag?

Yes. But, we'll sell you one of those too if you need it.

 

Should I bring cash?

It's a good idea to bring cash but there are many farmers who can accept credit card payments and/or checks.

 

How much does this amazing event cost?

It's free! Parking and admission are free! So join us! You'll be glad you did.

canihaveabitehearts

Keep Your Love Local & Organic!

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Yes, its almost Valentine's Day! This year, ditch the big box of candy (wait, did I just say that?!) and show your Farmers and local independent restaurants some love. Many places are already booked, but you never know, you might get lucky!

Affare: set 4 course menu $144 per couple

Blue Bird Bistro: 4 course menu

Café Gratitude: 4 course set menu $36.50 per person

Canihaveabite: 4 course menu $32.00 per person, order in advance

Eden Alley: 3 course set menu $28 per person

Justus Drugstore

Renee Kelly’s Harvest

Room 39 (both locations): 4 course meal $80 per person

Story: 5 course menu $85 per person

The Farmhouse

The Rieger

Webster House

Here We Grow! 2014 Year in Review

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For the KC Food Circle, 2014 was a year of growth as we saw an increase in eater members, farmer members, expo attendees, and coordinating committee members.

We hosted our first annual Volunteer Open House and invited new volunteers to learn more about the Food Circle. It was also a way to show existing volunteers gratitude for their hard work. About 50 people attended the Open House and we benefited greatly from the generosity of Jane Zieha at blue bird bistro who supplied the food and the location for the event.

The coordinating committee nearly doubled in size this year as we took on 8 new or returning volunteers. We have already begun to reap the rewards of a more robust planning committee and fresh perspectives. We believe that our larger committee will better enable us to serve both our member farmers and our eater constituents. We topped out at the end of 2014 with 102 farmer members (our record high) and 104 eater members.

At the 2014 Expo we were delighted to break our previous attendance record with a whopping 1,700 people in attendance at the Kansas Expo at Johnson County Community College. Not only did we see great attendance numbers and enjoy the great location at the college, we believe it also gave us a chance to form a more solid partnership with JCCC and their efforts on sustainability.

Our Missouri Expo at Penn Valley Community College brought in about 900 people making for a total of Expo attendance for 2014 a record-breaking 2600 people.

We also continue to steadily increase our fans and followers on social media with 4,750 followers on Facebook, 1,250 on Twitter, and - new this year - we have joined Instagram and have already gained 474 followers.

2014 also brought us several great fundraising partnerships. We worked closely with the organizers of the new KC metro chapter of Green Wish, an organization that funds local, green organizations through customers' small donations at local retailers. KCFC was one of the first non profits to receive funding from Green Wish KC.

In the fall we enjoyed being the beneficiaries of Kansas City's exclusive craft butchery event, Knife and Pork, hosted by Alex Pope of Local Pig and Jonathan Bender of Recommended Daily. We are also grateful to Eden Alley for supporting us with one of their fundraising weeks.

2014 brought us the support of our second volunteer graphic designer - Josh Fultz, who redesigned our ads and our trifold brochures - in addition to the continued support of our first volunteer designer, Rachel Allen, who has supported us by designing the annual Directory.

At the end of the year we launched our new website featuring a searchable database of farmers, helpful resources for farmers and eaters, and ease of use to encourage and facilitate our eater and farmer memberships. We are very grateful to Pam Hausner of BASE KC for her web development expertise and her generosity.

The best thing about the growth we've seen this year is that we are well poised to enter 2015 with lots of plans for improvement already underway. This will be a great year of eating local, organic and free-range.