MAY-2011

		HARVEST DAYS! Throughout the month of May the alfalfa house will be inviting in many of our local growers to come by and show off their produce, and products. Every Sunday we will be featuring a few grower/producers in the shop, as well as some fantastic skill share workshops along the way! In our efforts to connect our member/customers with their food and where it comes from, we are hoping to make this a regular feature in the shop! Fair Trade Fortnight Alfalfa House will also be joining up with THE WATERSHED and BIKE MARRICKVILLE to celebrate the Fair Trade Fortnight with a community wide scavenger hunt from May 7TH-22ND for Fair Trade products from around the area! contact COORDINATOR@ALFALFAHOUSE.ORG for more info.		Come get to know our growers!

		Ever tried a feijoa? Now is the time! Feijoas are a small green, tropical fruit, about the size of a fig that originate from the South American highlands of Columbia and Brazil. The feijoa has the texture of a guava, but it tastes like a cross between guava and mangosteen or pineapple and strawberry with a strong lemony smell. Can you imagine that? FEATURE ON FEIJOAS. What's in and out - Custard apples are here and ready to eat! Come get your fill! Check out the article on fresh Feijoas, YUM! Alfalfa has finger limes! We dare you to find organic ones anywhere else! Halve them and spoon out the insides!They look like caviar but taste like citrus heaven. Have you tried a Tamarilo? Chop one in half and spoon out the filling like a passionfruit. They Taste like guava (really!) Quince are here finally as well! They need to be cooked and are fantastic stewed. Great for jams and jellies so lets get busy canning! FRUIT AND VEG UPDATE	Apples on the tree

		This month's grocery product feature is from our lovely Australian Organic vanilla supplier, Vanilla Australia. We have a special article written just for us from Russel and Mary the growers. Vanilla Australia have a really interesting story that they have been kind enough to share with our members HERE check it out! When you are finished, we dare you to not want to try our VANILLA INFUSED HOT CHOCOLATE. We also invite all of our readers to stay up to date and support the legal action that one of our suppliers is taking against mega store Woolworths. Get the info HERE and get the rest of the scoop! And as always check out WHAT'S IN THE BINS direct from Monika.		VANILLA ON THE VINE

		The passionflower's leaves and roots have traditional medicinal use. There is much anecdotal evidence of such use amongst Native North Americans as a sedative and calming herb to treat anxiety, insomnia, hysteria and even epilepsy. It also has traditional usage as an analgesic. The plants were later also utilised by European colonists for similar purposes. Our expert Naturopath, Elaine Parry, takes us through her DETAILED PASSION FLOWER GUIDE, discussing the plant's many diverse uses from the myths to the realities!		Time to relax...

		We finally received the good news from the new building owner this weei that 113 Enmore will be a feasible place for us to stay for years to come. For those of you who were wondering. As always we will keep everyone up to date with any new info in regards to all things Alfalfa! The Cross Border Collective Presents: NO DISRESPECT: NO in plural to the "say no to burqas" mural May 6TH and 7th At the Newtown Neighbourhood Center This art display will question and analyze the topic of the "say no to burqas" mural that has been up in Newtown for more than 6 months now. Though there has been plenty of dissent, the mural remains. Far from 'protecting oppressed women', the mural works to target and isolate Muslim women and incite fear amongst the general public. What wider themes of racism does the mural represent? What would women's emancipation REALLY look like? And how can we work together to make emancipation for all, Muslims and non-Muslims, a reality? The Cross Border Collective was the recipient of last months community food grant from Alfalfa House. Need a food grant FOOD GRANT?		The Alfalfa House staying put!

		One of our Alfalfan members is organising EcoXpo in a few days on May 06-08 at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. EcoXpo will showcase sustainable products and services from eco cars, electric bicycles, certified organic cotton and bamboo clothes, natural health and beauty, organic baby stuff, environmental protection activities and of course delicious organic food and wines. All Alfalfan who buy 1 ticket to EcoXpo will get a second one for free. You are invited to enter this special code ‘Alfalfa’ when buying your ticket online. Remember: kids under 14 come in for free, this is a carbon neutral event and EcoXpo will plant 1 tree for every full price ticket bought for the expo. Plus there are awesome prizes to win… find out more about EcoXpo on their website at ECOXPO.COM Read Alfalfa's SHOUT OUT TERMS then let us know if you have something to shout about.		Sustainable living fair

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