Summertime in August
“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”
August is in full swing!
I hope everyone in public school is settling into their new routines without too much fuss, and I hope the others are able to as well when their routines start up!
This weather has been hot and dry, but it seems that we are getting some good rain now. It’s been so hot that many of the crops are suffering from the heat. This is also the time of year when fall and winter gardens start going in, so we will see fewer vegetables at the market until the new crops start producing. These things do take time, but we will have amazing greens and winter vegetables in the end!
Celebrate Black Excellence and Empowerment this Black Business Month!
It's that time of year again when we come together as a community to recognize and honor the contributions of Black-owned businesses during Black Business Month. Throughout August, we have the incredible opportunity to shed a spotlight on the outstanding entrepreneurs and professionals who have persevered through challenges, leaving an indelible mark on our local economy and beyond.
Black Business Month holds great significance as it promotes inclusivity, diversity, and economic empowerment. It serves as a reminder to support and uplift Black-owned businesses that have faced historical disadvantages while embracing their incredible resilience and success stories.
One of the best ways to support these businesses is by amplifying their voices and acknowledging their achievements. Napier Heights Food Co-op is committed to not only showcasing a wide range of diverse, high-quality products and services but also building strong relationships with local Black-owned businesses throughout the year.
This Black Business Month, we encourage you to join us in actively participating in the celebration of Black entrepreneurship. Here are five ways you can contribute to the cause:
1. Explore and Discover: Take the opportunity to explore the multitude of Black-owned businesses in our community and uncover their stories. From fashion boutiques to restaurants, art galleries to tech startups, there is an endless array of phenomenal ventures waiting to be discovered. Open your eyes to the talent, innovation, and excellence that Black entrepreneurs bring to the table.
2. Shop Local: Show your support by choosing to shop consciously. Make a conscious effort to shift your spending towards Black-owned businesses, both online and offline. Seek out their products and services and make a lasting impact on the lives of these entrepreneurs, their families, and their communities.
3. Social Media Advocacy: Utilize the power of social media to spread the word about remarkable Black-owned businesses. Share their stories, recommend their products, and tag them in your posts. By doing so, you not only raise awareness about their businesses but also extend your reach to potential customers who have yet to discover them.
4. Engage and Connect: Attend events, workshops, and webinars organized by Black-owned businesses or community organizations to gain insights into their expertise. Engage actively in discussions, ask questions, and learn from their experiences. Building these connections can create lasting partnerships and collaborations, fostering continued growth and empowerment.
5. Mentorship and Support: If you are a business owner or an industry professional, consider offering mentorship or support to aspiring Black entrepreneurs.
This week at the market:
Katie is putting in her fall/winter garden, so we will see her back in a few weeks. Loy has black, green, and cherry plums; red, orange, and yellow meat watermelon; green and red tomatoes; purple onions; peppers; and okra. Ms Eva is bringing her wonderful organically grown dried herbs (rosemary, mullein, basil, echinacea, sage, bay leaves, poultry seasoning, and chai mix), heirloom cherry and pear tomatoes, okra, and boiled peanuts! If the cicada wasps will let her, she’s bringing basil and peppers and more tomatoes. She’s also starting her collards this week! So in a few weeks, be on the lookout for those!
We also have wonderful vegan baked goods and non-vegan baked goods and wonderful arts and crafts for you as well!
This summer heat can be a lot, we do have a cooler at the market tent that has cold water if you need it. We are not charging for it, but we would welcome any donations to help us keep this going throughout the summer.
Thank you so much to everyone who supports this market! We are so incredibly grateful for all of you! Whether you are coming in the rain or the shine or both, we are thankful for the support you show us each week! Whether you have yet to make it to the market, but are sharing our information with others, thank you! We could not do this market without you, our community! We really do love to see each and everyone of you each week! We hope to see you tomorrow! Don’t let the skies fool you into not coming out! Please watch our social media for weather cancellations, we aim for the safety of you and our vendors, so if there is severe weather, we will make an announcement on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Tomatoes are Summers’s darling. Sometimes we just want to preserve the summer goodness for a bit longer. I found out about pickled cherry tomatoes a few years ago, and they are amazing! These are a great little bite to any fresh green salad or as a topper to a bit of creamy cheese on a cracker.
We are a partner market with Wholesome Wave Georgia to help make your dollars go further at our market!
Bring your SNAP/EBT card to the market tent to double your spending power!
Where to find us:
We are always looking for more people to join our fun! If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a vendor at our market, follow the link below for our vendor application!
Just a hint of all the fun we have to offer! Come join us!