A Perfect Match

As you probably know, Blanchard's Coffee Co. is a certified organic coffee roaster. This means that not only are many of our coffees certified as organic at the farm level, but we, as a roaster, have a certified organic production. We feel this is important in demonstrating our commitment to natural and sustainable production of great, fresh coffee.

We pride ourselves in partnering with companies and organizations that share this commitment and vision as often as possible. With that in mind we are extremely excited to announce the beginning of what we hope will be a long and successful partnership with Farm to Family, an organization for which we've always had the utmost respect. If you are not familiar with what Farm to Family does I suggest you visit their website, though the scope of their work and influence might make for a long read so it is best to go out to their retail space in Mechanicsville or find them on one of their Farm to Family busses and strike up a conversation with owners Mark and Suzi Lilly.

The Farm to Family folks will be offering Blanchard's fresh roasted coffee for sale on the busses and at the retail location. Coffee will also soon be available as a part of the CSA program. We are also proud to share the coffee space with another local coffee roaster, Lamplighter Roasting Company, who are great friends and talented roasters.

Moving forward, we plan to work together on some fun cool projects like "Coffee Pop-Ups" where we will piggy-back on the Farm to Family bus and offer coffee tastings and short classes on tasting coffee and the agriculture behind the brew we love so much.
If you haven't had the pleasure to see what Farm to Family has to offer, consider this your invitation. Don't forget to let Mark and Suzi know we sent you!

Market View 5/1

From our Market Queen Dena;

May 1st was the much anticipated opening of the 2010 market. David and I arrived bright and early to prep for a slammin' day. We sold the first cup at 7:45and gave away the last 1/2 cup at 11:45 when we ran out! It was fantastic to see all our favorite Blanchard 'ffeine fiends. We appreciate your support and love serving you!

RTD Article on Local Farmers Markets

The South of the James Farmers Market kicks off on May 1st. We are very proud of being a part of the market since the very beginning and are looking forward to seeing all the local vendors and Richmonders that come out in support. Yesterday's RTD has an article that takes a look at a couple of the vendors and the growth of Community Supported Agriculture.

The number of farmers markets in Virginia has doubled in the past six years to about 170, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

About five have cropped up in and around Richmond in the past couple of years.

"They have mushroomed, mainly due to the whole buy-local movement that started after Sept. 11," said Elaine Lidholm, spokeswoman for VDACS.

"People became concerned about their food securities. They were worried that terrorists could hit the food supply. . . . Some people turned their backyards into edible landscapes."

Remember to mark May 1st on your calendar and head on down the South of the James Farmers Market in Forest Hill Park to buy some fresh fruits & veggies and a cup or pound of locally brewed coffee at our own stand.

The Latest Winner and New Farmers Market Contest Giveaway-O-rama

Drumroll please and the winner is: #4 which is Holly. Holly please come by the shop to pick up your prize Tue-Fri from 8 to 10:30 or Sat 7:30 to 12.

The newest contest is much like the same but this time in the comments please list your favorite type of Blanchard's Coffee. The prize for the latest contest is a deluxe Blanchard's baseball cap in slimming black and a pound of your favorite coffee, unless of course you listed a coffee of the month that we currently don't have in stock.

Congrats to Holly and good luck to new contestants.

Farmers Market Contest Giveaway-O-rama

We are getting pretty excited about the South of the James Farmers Market opening in just a few weeks. In order to direct our energy in a positive direction as oppossed to staring blankly at the calendar waiting for time to pass, we have decided to have a few giveaways between now May 1st which just happens to be the first day of the market.

The first contest is pretty basic. In the comments simply list your favorite Farmers Market vendor. In a few days we will pick one comment and they will win a spiffy Blanchard Coffee Mug and a pound of fresh roasted coffee. You do not increase your chances of winning by listing Blanchard's as your favorite Farmers Market vendor.