La Vigna Estate Winery Open Every Saturday

La Vigna Estate Winery will be open every Saturday and holiday Mondays throughout the summer. Hours of operation will be 12-6pm. They will be pouring 2008 Proprietary White (Petit Manseng), 2008 Proprietary Red (Cabernet blend) and 2009 Proprietary White (Petit Manseng). All wines are 100% Estate grown – ground to glass. Cost $5 (includes logo glass)Come celebrate summer with La Vigna Estate Winery. Call 937-375-1104 for more information or visit our website for directions: www.lavignaestatewinery.com

Turner Farm Garlic Class

Join Turner Farm's head gardener Melinda O'Briant and Laura Robinson for a discussion on growing garlic, its flavor attributes and the correct way to slice, chop and mince to get the most out of this pungent plant. Tastings will be available to demonstrate its wide ranging flavors. The class is held at Turner Farm on July 19th from 7-8:30 pm. The cost is $12. Call 513.561.7400 or email turnerfarm@zoomtown.com for reservations.

Sustainable Sunday : June 27th

Join Park+Vine, Slow Food Cincinnati, and the Miami chapter of the Sierra Club for our next Sustainable Sunday. We'll meet at 11 a.m. at Park+Vine, stop by Coffee Emporium for a fuel-up, then head out on a leisurely stroll along the river to Maribelle's for lunch. We'll plan to be back at Park+Vine around 2 p.m. or so. Email Laura at events@slowfoodcincinnati.org by June 22nd if you are interested in attending.

Cooks Needed for Community Shares Fundraiser

Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati, a partnership of 28 local nonprofit groups focused on social and economic equality and environmental health, is looking for "locavore" cooks for its Guys, Griddles and Grub fundraiser on August 7.

GGG is Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati's major annual fundraiser and features “tastes” of great food from appetizers to dessert prepared and presented by men.  For the first time GGG will feature a “Local Best” category. 

Contact Estelle McNair if you are interested in participating.

Fermenting Class

Slow Food Cincinnati and Turner Farm are offering a fermenting class with Jennifer and Jordan from Fab Ferments. This is a beginners hands-on workshop teaching the basic fundamentals you will need to make your own raw cultured veggies! Everyone will go home with three quart jars of fermented food. Jars will be provided, but please bring a harvest basket, cutting board, knives and a pounding instrument. Space is limited so reserve your spot now: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/113919. The cost is $30.

Search Engine for Local Food

Locavore365 is like a combined Freecycle & Craigslist for produce, with one vast improvement: it's searchable by location.

If you've got a couple of cows you want to sell in halves or quarters, you can post them for people nearby to buy.  If your apple tree is heavy with fruit and you'd rather give the apples away than let them go to waste, you can post them.  And if you input your zip code and a distance you're willing to travel, you can see all the produce that's up for sale, swap, or giveaway within that distance, along with any events.  I would have loved to use this last week when I had green garlic coming out of my ears and none of my neighbors wanted any! 

Of course it only works if people list things so that other people can find them.  The service started in Christchurch, New Zealand, and it's taken off there.  Here in Cincinnati it's just starting out.  So go list something!  I'm going to go list the chives that are taking over my garden.

La Vigna Wine Release Memorial Day Weekend

La Vigna Estate Winery will be open Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 29 from 11 to 6 and Monday, May 31  from 12 to 6 for the release of their 2009 Proprietary White Wine and 2008 Proprietary Red Wine.  A library tasting of the 2007 Proprietary Red Wine and 2008 Proprietary White Wine will be available.  Music May 29 by Jazz trombonist Sarah Morrow.   937-375-1104 for more information.

Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council Accepting Applications

The Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council is now accepting applications for seats on the board.  This is a great way for anyone interested in issues surrounding food in our area to get involved. 

Read and download the application, an application overview, and a brochure.  Applications due by May 30th, 2010. 

2010 CORV Guide Available May 13th

The 2010 Central Ohio River Valley (CORV) Local Food Guide will be unveiled 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13 at Park + Vine, 1109 Vine Street. A donation of $1 per guide will help CORV cover all its costs for the printing of the guide.

Two New Farmers' Markets to Serve the Northeast Side

Montgomery Farmers' Market will operate Saturdays 9a - 12:30p June 5th - October 30th at Shelly Lane between Remington and Cooper in downtown Montgomery's historic district.  Updates on Twitter and Facebook. 

Madeira Farmers' Market will operate Thursdays 3:30 - 7:30p June - October on Dawson Road in downtown Madeira.