Bloomington Market

Today was our first trip to the Bloomington Market. We were unable to make it opening day last weekend due to the flash floods and heavy rains. Well, it was worth the wait.

• The spot for our booth is perfect - on Main, right off of Front Street - right across from a parking garage - so convenient for guests.
• The weather was incredible - sunny with a slight breeze.
• We met and spoke with many new guests and JAVA fans!

And, we can't wait to go back. Definitely worth getting up at 4:30 am and traveling for over an hour to the market. Downtown Bloomington is charming and the market is full of artisans, Illinois growers, one-of-a-kind products and so much more!

Brian and I will be unable to attend the markets next weekend, Saturday, May 30th. We have a prior commitment in Chicago to 'pitch our product'/business' to a magazine. Here's hoping we inspire and amaze and that we're selected to be showcased in a future issue! You don't know unless you try...and we're going to try. Wish us luck?!

Look for us on Saturday, June 6th to rejoin the markets!

Until then, have a safe and memorable holiday weekend!

-Jamie Knoll

Ottawa Old Town Farmer's Market

Saturday, May 9th was the opening day of market season for JAVA & Co. We attended the Ottawa Old Town Farmer's Market in Ottawa, Illinois. It was a charming setting - downtown, with tents set-up along their beautiful park - flowers were in bloom and...it was SUPER windy. Did I say it was windy? During set-up our tent nearly became a 'cold' air balloon wanting to launch right there in the street. And yet, there wasn't any rain, so we were very thankful. We met many wonderful guests and fellow vendors; purchased fresh cut asparagus - what a treat - and since Saturday - we have grilled and consumed the entire 2 pounds of asparagus we purchased - YUM! There is nothing like the true flavor of freshly cut, from-the-farm vegetables.

In our off market season, we have been busy creating new products (JAVA Spice - Meat & Seafood Rub, JAVA infused Granola, JAVA Snack Bars, Lemon Iced Biscotti) and we brought a sampling of these to the Ottawa Market. I'm glad to say, they were a hit! So watch for us at the following markets this year. We will be rotating among the following three, plus grabbing markets in other cities as opportunities arise. JAVA & Co. (so far) hasn't been kept away by rain, wind or thunderstorms.

Ottawa Old Town Farmer's Market May 9th through October 24th, 2009

Saturdays, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm

Bloomington Farmer's Market May 16th through October 31st, 2009

Saturdays, 7:30 am to 12:00 Noon

Peoria Riverfront Market June 6th through September 26th, 2009

Saturdays, 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon

We plan to attend Bloomington's opening day this Saturday on the 16th of May. Stop by our syrup cabana. Brian and I would love to meet you!

Cheers,

Jamie Knoll

NEW Illinois Location

Beyond the Grapevine

215 West Jefferson Street

Ottawa, Illinois 61350

Phone: (815) 433-4948

Beyond the Grapevine is a wine and gift shop in downtown Ottawa sponsoring over 150 of the finest wines from Illinois vineyards. Daily wine tastings; local cheeses and unique gifts and now, a selection of JAVA & Co. specialty food gifts. Stop by and pick up a few packages of our handmade, hand cut lemon iced biscotti and then sit back, relax and stay awhile while enjoying a glass of Illinois wine. Gary and his wife will guide through the Illinois wines and specialty gifts while mixing it up with great conversation.

If you know of a specialty shop - wine, coffee, gift - that you'd like to see carry our products, please forward the contact information to me at javaandco@verizon.net. Or, mention to the owners and managers that you'd like to see them carry JAVA & Co. specialty foods. Who knows, we could be coming to a store near you!

Proud to Make Illinois, U.S.A. Products!

Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co. Small Batch Recipes

http://www.javaandco.com/

Top SIX Easy Ways to Contribute to Earth Day!

Today, April 22nd is Earth Day. I'm not going to mention or recommend anything that Brian and I and through JAVA & Co., haven't already done.

1) Rain Barrel: Purchase and install a rain barrel to harvest natural rain water from your gutters. Not only will it save on your water bill and consumption of city treated water, but your plants, garden and lawn PREFER natural rain water. Cost: $8 (in classified ads) and up - depending upon the rain barrel. If you decide to purchase a used barrel, please make sure it was used for food grade products in its previous life. We paid $$62.50 for a NEW, white, collapsible, 100 gallon rain barrel.

2) Light bulbs: Replace standard indoor light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs. Cost: $2 and up.

3) Rake: Yes, a standard garden rake - use a rake instead of your leaf blower to clean up your lawn and gather leaves. Save electricity or gasoline (if that's the case). Not only will you save money, help the environment, but you'll get in a good amount of exercise! My lawn is nearly 1/2 acre. Trust me, the twisting motion wears me out. Cost: $10 (or dust off the rake in your garage).

4) Walk: I started with FIVE five easy ways in my topic, but then I had to add this one. Walk. We used to live in NYC and walked everywhere. Hand carried our bags of groceries home from the market, many city blocks away from our apartment. Holiday shopping in the snow - trying to get a cab - arms full of packages. The cab (if you live or have lived in NYC) wasn't going to happen. So, we'd walk. Could have taken the subway, but we walked. Now, we live in a small town of 2,600 and I once again CAN walk to the post office, the market, the bank and to get a latte if I so choose. The freedom to walk is wonderful. And yes, I have a car, but I choose to walk. It's healthy. It's easy. It's freeing. It's earth friendly. Not everyone has this luxury, but for those of you who do - take advantage of it! Cost: FREE.

5) Electronic Press Kit: A virtual press kit, hosted on the web saves time, paper, shipping, gas to ship, storage space on the receiving end. Businesses, save a tree - create an electronic press kit for your company. Press agents, editors, reporters, save a tree - only request electronic press kits from your clients and potential businesses of interest. Click here to view JAVA & Co.'s.

6) Recycle and use Recyclable Materials:

a) JAVA & Co. recycles wood to create our handcrafted wood gift crates. For clients, we recommend after receiving a JAVA & Co. gift crate, to continue the cycle and re-purpose it within your home or office or fill it with something clever and re-gift.

b) JAVA & Co. also uses glass bottles instead of a cheaper plastic bottle for our specialty syrups. The glass bottles can then be recycled into new and different consumer products. Many clients have also up-cycled our glass bottles and used them for flower vases within their home and/or office.

c) JAVA & Co. recycles newsprint, shreds and then utilizes this for cushion and display within our wood gift crates. Not only does it save money on purchasing, producing and shipping specialized filler shred, but it adds to the 'comfort chic' look of our packaging.

Recycling and up-cycling may take time, creative thinking and physical energy, but Brian and I feel it is well worth it, not only now but also in the long run. Do you? What are your top five, top six, top ten?

Happy Earth Day - today and everyday!

Brian & Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com