A New Normal
As we all adjust to our new normal, we want to send out a message from the Locavore family to yours, that we appreciate all of the sacrifices and kindness this strange new reality has brought out in others.

St Charles reports that there are currently 46 positive tests in Central Oregon, and only 10 COVID cases admitted to the hospital. These are great numbers!

However, as the weather warms up and we are all tempted to get out there and socialize, please remember, we are not out of the woods yet. Projections say that we may not see the surge hit in Central Oregon until the end of April and into May. Stay diligent everyone! We can get through this.
Vectors, Vehicles, and Fomites (and Masks)
Nerd Alert!

Pop Quiz: What is the difference between a vector, a vehicle, and a fomite?

A vector is a mechanical or biological agent that can transmit disease from one person to another (think mosquito).

A vehicle refers to the transmission of pathogens through vehicles such as water, food, and air. (think undercooked meat or sneezing).

A fomite is an inanimate object that has become contaminated by pathogens from an infected individual and that can pass it to another (think doorknobs).

( *Fun Fact: Fomite was the go to name to call each other during arguments within my group of nursing school classmates. It was considered to be the ultimate of all insults at the time.This word is a big part of my vocabulary to this day).
With COVID-19 we need to concern ourselves most with the vehicle transmission of disease, through the air, and it can land on surfaces where we can touch it with our hands.

The virus can live on surfaces, but will not generally infect a person who touches that surface unless they touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. Hence, frequent hand washing and glove use really helps. Locavore now has biodegradable nitrile gloves from Oregon Green Products available in all sizes, they look like this.
So let's focus on decreasing the vehicle - airborne particles. Recent studies are showing the virus can be transmitted long distances through even just talking, not only coughs or sneezes, hence the importance of wearing masks when in public.

Check out this statement fabulous from an article I just read: " exhalations, sneezes, and coughs not only consist of mucosalivary droplets following short-range semiballistic emission trajectories but, importantly, are primarily made of a multiphase turbulent gas (a puff) cloud that entrains ambient air and traps and carries within it clusters of droplets with a continuum of droplet sizes."
Dang. That's a fancy sentence, y'all. I just had to share it with you in hopes you enjoy it as much as I did.

Basically what I am saying here is please... just wear a mask when in public. Please.

Masked over semi-ballistic emissions = no contaminated air or surfaces.

Locavore now has fabric masks available for purchase from Peg's Quilt Box. Each mask has the option to insert a wire nosebridge for better seal and a pocket to insert a droplet filter for additional protection (like they are doing at St Charles. I brought in some filters you can take when you purchase a mask).
At Locavore we have implemented a standard that all staff and volunteers wear masks at all times to protect both you, the customer, and ourselves.

We ask that shoppers in turn heed this recommendation and wear a mask while shopping at Locavore (in addition to washing your hands immediately upon arrival).

We will also have "social distancing officers" outside making sure the store does not get too full to maintain safe distances apart.
Focus on Family, Health, and Community
Bone Broth for the Immune System, Spirit, and Kitchen

Grandma knew that broth was a demi-magical cure all, and in the last few years we have finally accepted that fact that granny knew best and the studies are rolling out that it really does have wonderfully healing properties. Gelatin, prolene, and glycine are powerful healing agents that can support digestion, immune function, and collagen production. That is why Locavore has busted out the Broth Bone Blowout freezer.

There is no better time to learn how to make this magic elixir than now, when we have extra time on our hands, and a keen interest in staying healthy. Go ahead, try it, we don’t think you will ever go back!

Try this amazing recipe from Nourished Kitchen. Roasting the bones and adding a cup of red wine creates a swoon-worthy umami flavor worth the extra effort. (Cooking not your thing? We also have pre-made bone broth featuring 100% local bones by Root Cellar).
Optimal Nutrition for Everyone, of All Ages

The ultimate local food
At Locavore we don’t just promote optimal nutrition for children and adults, but we work hard to promote optimal nutrition for infants as well. The evidence is 100% conclusive that the benefits of breastfeeding for babies, moms, the environment, and society as a whole are astoundingly impactful. Did you know that mothers milk contains antibodies specific to the bacteria and viruses in their immediate environment to provide protection to their babies? This is why we all have the undeniable urge to kiss our babies, we ingest the pathogens present on their little fingers and cheeks, and thus make the exact antibodies they need to protect them. Cool huh?

The World Health Organization recommends that infants receive breastmilk until at least 2 years old, when their immune systems are nearly fully developed. With this understanding of how breastfeeding and infant immunity are intricately tied together, there is no more important time to focus on protecting our babies. WHO , CDC and UNICEF all have policies advocating for breastfeeding during emergencies and pandemics.
Locavore works with St Charles Hospital to host the weekly Mommy and Me Breastfeeding support group (it is still happening, but limited to moms who need help only, no social attendees at this time please), and maintains a full breastfeeding section to help mom reach their goals, curated by an RN & International Board Certified Breastfeeding Consultant (IBCLC).
How You Can Help Support Community and The Local Food Movement and Central Oregon Locavore

  • Become a Member of Locavore if you are not already. Our biggest fundraiser of the year (Faces of Farming) has been postponed and we need your support.
  • If you are a member, consider renewing early at a higher level. Currently our memberships are what are sustaining us!
  • Make a donation. If you have the means, consider a tax deductible donation to Locavore.
  • Support local farmers. Buy a CSA or a meat CSA.
  • Mahonia Gardens, DD Ranch, and Dome Grown Organics will all be hosting CSA pickups at Locavore this season. You can use your EBT/SNAP to pay for your CSA through Locavore.
  • Forward this email to all your friends.
  • Tell your friends, family, and co-workers about us. It's amazing how many people do not know about Locavore in this town!
Programming
Edible Adventure Crew - The series is also scheduled to proceed as scheduled. The first event will take place as soon as that Stay Home, Stay Safe recommendation is lifted.
WWOLF - The WWOLF program is scheduled to start in May or June. Our farmers need our help more than ever, and good social distancing can be maintained easily out in the fresh air. Stay tuned!
Farmers Markets - Locavore has been working with farmers and ranchers to make an alternate plan if they open late where Locavore will accept SNAP/EBT on farmers behalf and customers can pick up their CSAs or other products from farmers on a designated day. Kind of like a drive-by farmers market. Schedules and instructions coming soon.
Shopping Guidelines

  • Limit the number of shoppers in the marketplace. Please leave partners, children, drivers in the car when appropriate to do so.
  • Wipe down the shopping carts with the provided sanitizer before you use it. We are cleaning them on a regular basis, as well as all surfaces.
  • Please WASH YOUR HANDS upon entering the marketplace in the restrooms just to the right upon entry.
  • No nose-picking while shopping. (Just seeing if you were paying attention...)
  • If you feel ill at all, or have been exposed to someone who has been or feels ill, please DO NOT shop inside the marketplace, but take advantage of our curbside delivery. See instructions below...

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our space safe.
Locavore and The Food Supply Chain
We do not know the full downstream aftermath that we will face in the next months and years after our first modern pandemic, but we do know that conventional systems could be severely disrupted.

Conventional agriculture depends upon a complex array of players to continue mass production and keep costs artificially low.

Migrant workers may now have trouble crossing borders for seasonal work. The workers of large-scale agricultural farms often travel vial bus to the fields, and live in close quarters. There is a very real concern that conventional ag workforces could become compromised.

Large-scale agriculture depends upon factory produced supplies such as fuel, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. As our supply chains become affected, so too might large scale ag operations.

I am not trying to be alarmist, but do want to drive home that we need to support our local food producers in times such as these. And we have lots of awesome producers to support! Ready to keep us well fed.

Local food is independent, resilient, adaptable, and dependable.
AmazonSmile benefitting Central Oregon Locavore

This is one of those tricky situations where we must be a bit flexible in our beliefs. While we would normally never support the use of the Amazon platform, we know that in the current circumstances it is a reality that many of us must do so.

There are several local alternatives for goods and services available, many local businesses have developed online platforms. Check out Green America.org

With that being said, if you do need to order from Amazon, please consider going to Amazonsmile.com and choose Central Oregon Locavore as your charity.

You will have to specifically go to AmazonSmile for each order. The phone app defaults to regular Amazon, as does most web browsers.

While the contribution is not huge, it does make a difference and we would greatly appreciate it!
In Solidarity,

We got this!

Niki Timm-Branch, Founder & President Central Oregon Locavore
(and nurse at St Charles)
CENTRAL OREGON LCOAVORE | www.centraloregonlocavore.org