Finding Local Food, Post-Co-op

Sixteen people braved snowy roads April 12 to attend the first "local foods visioning meeting." Staff, council, and owner-members of the former Randolph Co-op exchanged ideas about ways to connect local food producers with consumers.

Buying clubs were discussed, and local producers talked about their goods and how consumers can get them. All information shared is available at www.randolphcoop.com

Frey Ellis, the Co-op’s former produce manager, is exploring a fundraising campaign to help area farms hurt when the Co-op closed its doors, owing thousands of dollars to local vendors.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Church on Summer Street. All are welcome to attend.

LACE, Farmers’ Market

This week, Rebecca Beidler, who is facilitating the meetings, noted that a new outlet will be opening in Barre this summer. Ariel Zevon is opening LACE (Local Agriculture Community Exchange) in the former Homer Fitts department store location.

LACE will have a market, a deli, and a commercial kitchen where producers can process foods for sale.

Beidler said she thought the loss of the Co-op would re-invigorate interest in Randolph’s Saturday farmers’ markets, each May through October.

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