Eat Local Expo 2011

You are invited to the Kansas City Food Circle’s Eat Local (& Organic) Expo. This event will be held twice in the metro area. March 26th in Independence and April 2nd in Shawnee.

This event gives you the opportunity to meet farmers that have local, organic, and seasonal fare including meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, herbs, honey etc. Whatever you are looking for there should be someone there with it.

You will also have the opportunity to find a CSA. What is a CSA you ask? Basically, it is where you find a farmer that has what you are looking for and purchase a share of his crops, usually done up front. Then, throughout the growing season, you get your “share” usually weekly or biweekly. Depending on the farmer, there will be delivery or pick up locations and times to get your items.

Below is a list of different events and workshops that will be going on throughout the day. Dates, times and locations are listed as well. Admission and parking are free.

Free How-To Workshops at the Independence Expo
(Scroll further down for the Shawnee workshops.)

Buy It, Eat It! 9:30-10:30 a.m., North Room, upstairs: Learn how to buy direct from family farms using CSAs, farmers markets, buying clubs and co-ops from Season Burnett, Kansas City CSA Coalition Director, and Emily Akins, KCFC Co-Coordinator.

Can It, Freeze It! 10:45-11:45 a.m., South Room, upstairs: University of Missouri Extension Expert Karen Elliot shows you how to enjoy the fresh, delicious taste of local, organic food year-round. Bring your pressure canner gauges and the extension will check them for free during expo hours before and after the workshop. (Experts recommend you have your pressure canner gauges checked at least once per year.)

Dish It Up! 12-1 p.m., North Room, Upstairs: blue bird bistro owner Jane Zieha shares her secrets for delectable seasonal dishes at our Independence expo only.
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Free How-To Workshops at the Shawnee Expo
(Scroll up for the Independence workshops.)

Buy It, Eat It! 9:30-10:30 a.m., Little Theatre, just inside the Civic Center’s main doors: Learn how to buy direct from family farms using CSAs, farmers markets, buying clubs and co-ops from Season Burnett, Kansas City CSA Coalition Director, and Emily Akins, KCFC Co-Coordinator.

Can It, Freeze It! 11:00-12:00, Little Theatre, just inside the Civic Center’s main doors: University of Missouri Extension Expert Karen Elliot shows you how to enjoy the fresh, delicious taste of local, organic food year-round. Bring your pressure canner gauges and the extension will check them free during expo hours before and after the workshop. (Experts recommend you have your pressure canner gauges checked at least once per year.)

Dish It Up! 12:30-1:30 p.m., Little Theatre, just inside the Civic Center’s main doors: Local Burger chef and owner Hilary Brown shares her delicious secrets for cooking local, organic fare at our Shawnee expo only.

Saturday, March 26
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Roger T. Sermon Community Center
Truman & Noland Rd., Independence, MO

Saturday, April 2
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shawnee Civic Center
13817 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS

For more information visit www.kcfoodcircle.org/food-news/events/eat-local-expo/

If you have a great food find in KC you think I am missing, email me.

In Good Taste,
Sharm