In case you missed it, the Recorder knows what’s HIP about the Tuesday Market!  On the first Tuesday of each month, right on through November, The Franklin Community Co-op, Just Roots, and the Food Bank of Western MA partner up to sponsor the Local Food Clinic.  During the regular Tuesday Market and Just Roots CSA distribution from 3 to 6, everyone is welcome to stop by and learn more about getting local food into their diet, the new HIP initiative that’s part of SNAP benefits this year, and how you can support your local food economy on any budget.  Cooking demonstrations, recipes, and free samples are all part of the bustle of the local food abundance happening at the Clinic and the Market–stop by to get a taste of the season’s best, and, meet your local growers!

We think bees are pretty much the best here at the Co-op–and not just their knees, either!  As passionate supporters of local agriculture, we know that the bounty of the Pioneer River Valley wouldn’t be possible without our two-winged tiny friends–which is why we’re sharing ways to show your local pollinators some love as we head into summer.  From the new Franklin Fresh Flier that comes out this Friday the 19th, to a brand new display of bee-friendly items by our back register, ‘bee’ sure to stop by the Co-op to ask us for tips and tricks about pollinator preservation!

We’re kicking off a weekend of Mother’s Day celebrations with a great pancake demo today (Thursday May 11th from noon to 1, with a fantastic coupon for celebratory brunch essentials–E-News subscribers, check your inbox, too!) that rolls into a full schedule of Second Saturday fun at McCusker’s Market.  Live music, local art, Morris dancers, and the Shad Ladder Radio Hour are all here to add a little spring sparkle to your Mother’s Day weekend–we hope to see you there!

A presentation and film on “The Roots of the Community Land Trust” will take place in the Co-op’s upstairs meeting room at Green Fields Market on Wednesday evening, May 10, from6:30 to 8:30 pm. The speaker will be John Davis, a nationally-respected expert on the origins and functioning of “community land trusts (CLT’s)” with 30 years’ experience providing technical assistance to CLT’s and other non-profit community development organizations.

As part of his presentation, John will show a remarkable 22-minute documentary film, “Arc of Justice,” about an early CLT, “New Communities, Inc.,” founded in 1969 in southwest Georgia by leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including Charles and Shirley Sherrod and Congressman John Lewis. It’s a moving story of racial justice, community organizing, and perseverance in the face of enormous obstacles.

Sponsored by the Valley Community Land Trust together with the Franklin Community Coop, this event is free and open to the public. Contributions to help defray costs will be gratefully accepted. For further information, please call Randy Kehler: 413-624-8858.