Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Year 2011 Coming to a Close

First, we want to thank all of our Homer Village Market customers for shopping with us in 2011. Some of our loyal customers have moved out of the area, and new customers have moved into the neighborhood. We will miss the old faces and we welcome the new ones!

It has been a tough economy for small retail businesses again this year, and we are trying to weather the storm in hopes of brighter days of sales ahead. Our customers have experienced job losses and fear of what the next year will bring. Our suppliers have had to lay-off delivery and office workers and have passed along price increases. We are thankful that our suppliers have continued to support us with great products again this year!  

November 2011 marked our one-year anniversary distributing local farm feed from D&LGrain and Feed in Utica. Recently, there have been some consolidations of feed suppliers in the local markets of nearby Johnstown and Granville. Many of our customers commute through there  to or from work, school or home in northern Licking County. We are proud to be a supplier of locally grown and milled farm animal feed grains and good quality regional brands of dog and cat feeds manufactured and/or distributed by D&L Grain and Feed in Utica. You can help support our local agricultural economy by purchasing your feed at Homer Village Market and D&L Grain and Feed in Utica rather than feedstores supplied by far-flung national and regional grain sources.

In the past few months, Homer Village Market has had a shortage of fresh, brown eggs from our free-range hens at our family farm (Goose Run Farms down the road here in Utica). Predators have been a problem in the hen house and the barnyard lately, and we are working to get this situation under control. We have trapped a half dozen skunks and as many raccoons in the past couple of months, but with winter upon us, the problem is likely to get worse before it gets better. Thanks for your patience as we substitute Ohio Amish country's eggs from Sauder's Farms in nearby Holmes County.

One of the highlights of 2011 was Homer Village Market's mobile food cart serving the hungry crowd at the semi-annual Fun Show in July 2011 sponsored by the Licking County Chapter of the Ohio Horsemen's Council at Infirmary Mound Park in nearby Granville, Ohio. It was one of the hottest days on record, so for the safety of our chef, we didn't operate the flat-top grill. Instead we had some prepared bratwurst, delicious, smoked chicken wings, and hamburgers as well as plenty of ice-cold beverages and handy snacks to please the customers. Unfortunately, we could not make their Fall event.

We are looking forward to a healthy and prosperous New Year for everyone! We will be looking forward to a safe and productive lambing season on the farm and will keep you updated! Meanwhile, if you need some recipes for lamb, alligator, frogs legs, or anything else you buy at Homer Village Market, give us a call or visit our website and sign up for our email list.

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