KYfoodtrader.org

In an effort to support local food production, the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Louisville announces the launch of KYfoodtrader.org, a virtual farmers’ market that connects both buyers and sellers with local food within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as contiguous counties in bordering states.

With KYfoodtrader.org, farmers can create an instantaneous listing that identifies the description, quantity, price and location of their items. Consumers can search listings within specific categories and communicate directly with the farmer to buy the food at the farm, at a farmers’ market, a food co-op or at another prearranged location. Since the website acts as a marketplace, all transactions are the responsibility of the buyer and seller. Pricing and delivery are left up to buyer and seller to work out on their own. Users cannot purchase items directly through the site; they must contact the producer who posted the item to work out pricing and delivery. Though members are approved individually, EFC is unable to vet producers or guarantee any claims or descriptions of a producer’s business, facilities or products.

KYfoodtrader.org represents another step forward in the creation of a strong local food economy.

For any questions regarding KYfoodtrader.org, please contact Carol Norton at 502-852-8042.

Nature Trail and Farm Tours at Foxhollow

Take a free self-guided tour of Foxhollow Farm and hike the brand new nature trail! Foxhollow Farm is 1,300 acres of beautiful farmland and woodlands for you to explore, get a breath of fresh air and reconnect with nature. The self-guided walk is free and the trail is open Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Special guided tours will be held the last Tuesday of every month (July 27 and August 31) at 4 and 5:30 p.m. and are available upon request. The guided tour (cost $5) includes a hayride, fun farm facts, a history of Foxhollow and a tour of the farm. Meet at the Farm Store 15 minutes before tour start time for best hayride seating. RSVP not required but highly encouraged! Please e-mail grassfedbeef@foxhollow. com or call 243-4323. You may pay at the door with cash or check. For directions please visit www.foxhollowfarmcenter.org or www.foxhollow.com (IMPORTANT! MapQuest will lead you astray!)

Adding a Workplace Stop
to the Local Food Chain

Saying there is a disconnect between Louisville consumers who buy food and regional farmers who grow it, Mayor Jerry Abramson announced last month an initiative to help connect the two and grow the local food economy.

This initiative, called Louisville Farm to Table will work to connect Kentucky farmers with restaurants, schools, workplaces and individuals in Louisville. Abramson made the announcement at the headquarters to SHPS, a local health care company on Bluegrass Parkway. SHPS is the first major private employer to access the Louisville Farm to Table services and allow local farmers to sell their products one day a week on the SHPS campus. An additional market has been established at the Metro Services campus at 810 Barret Avenue.

Louisville Farm to Table is the result of a study that the Economic Development office completed two years ago through a collaborative effort of area elected officials, poet and farmer Wendell Berry, small and large businesses and county cooperative extension agents. The study recommended expansion of neighborhood farmers markets — and recommended that the city help serve as the connector between farmers and consumers. The city has hired, on contract, current Edible Louisville Editor Sarah Fritschner to oversee and develop the service. Companies or farmers interested in joining Farm to

Table should contact Fritschner at sfritschner@gmail.com or 502.396.5457.

For more information about Louisville Farm to Table, visit: www.louisvilleky.gov/HealthyHometown/farmtotable