So many great things are happening in our area with the availability of more local foods not only in our restaurants, but also farmer's markets, grocery stores and direct access to farmer's with the CSA programs.  Hopefully you saw the last newsletter that was sent out highlighting a lot of these opportunities but I wanted to share one comment in particular from a CSA shareholder that I loved!

"The variety of selection, the convenience of drop off points and the FRESHNESS, seriously I have not eaten food so FRESH!! In my household we even had trouble at times eating everything and found that through giving to our neighbors and friends we not only shared the bounty provided, we also had the opportunity of testifying to the importance of promoting and buying locally. I believe more than a couple ears were turned on to the concept and it would not surprise me that opportunities like this one and others grow exponentially. From talking with local farmer, artisan and passionate being Rita Bachman I learned that her efforts were joined by volunteers and dedicated staff. What a great thing to hear that others outside the profession and those within are willing to give their time to nurture the lands and riches. I applaud all who helped organize and see that this worked so smoothly. YEY LOWCOUNTRY FARMERS, YEY LOWCOUNTRY PRODUCE, YEY LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST!!!" - Andrew Cebulka

Tickets are now available for the Chef’s Potluck that we are hosting with Slow Food Charleston this month! You do not want to miss the event taking place at the Pavilion on the beautiful grounds of Middleton Place. Chefs from EVO Pizza, Anson, Fish, Le Club Fez, Granville’s Café, High Cotton, Middleton Place, McGrady’s, Monza, Slightly North of Broad, Savory Market, Stono Farm Market and The Glass Onion will be stirring up dishes using food from our local farmers! There will also be wine from Avondale Wine and Cheese, Beer from microbrewer COAST, coffee from Charleston Coffee Roasters, live jazz/blues band and a silent auction of local goodies! Tickets are available NOW and are limited so dash out to Plum Elements, Charleston Cooks!, EVO Pizza, and at Rita’s Roots at the Farmer’s Market starting April 12^th. Tickets include all the above and are $40 for the public and $35 for LLF and Slow Foodies. A special thanks to our friends at Middleton Place, Fish Restaurants, SCDA “Fresh on the Menu” and Brainstorm Design for making this happen!

When: April 27^th 4-7 p.m.

Where: Pavilion at Middleton Place

Why: Support our Farmers and Have Great Food and Fellowship while doing it!

We are really excited to be taking the first steps in getting our Local Independent Business Directory up and going under the leadership of Lowell Grosse of Charleston Coffee Roasters! We have put together a committee of LLF members and board members to undertake this project and would love the participation of more of our membership. If you would like to participate please email Lowell@Charlestoncoffeeroasters.com or Jamee at Jamee@lowcountrylocalfirst.org. This will be the first directory of it’s kind in our area and will be a significant source for business to business contacts as well as business to consumer. Advertising rates and information will be available soon!