By Whitney Donohue

Moapa Valley Progress

The Educational Farm Foundation of Moapa Valley is hosting a food swap at the Overton Community Center on November 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. A cross between a village market, silent auction, and open house, the swap will feature locally made and/or grown food which will be used as currency for use in swapping with other participants.

Food swaps are growing in popularity around the country during a time when producing and preparing your own food is coming back into fashion. As pantries around the country are filling with jars upon jars of canned goods, savvy swappers are coming together to exchange their homemade goods for more variety in their larder.

While many of today’s canned goods may be basic recipes – canned tomatoes or green beans, many people are experimenting with sophisticated tastes and swapping such items as Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce and Dried Fettuccine with Red Pepper and Garlic.

“A food swap is the perfect way for our community to add even more value to all their hard work producing homemade food, while breaking no rules,” stated Chris Green, EFF Board Member. “A food swap is not a new concept, but the Educational Farm Foundation is excited to bring back to life. We’re hoping that the swap will be popular enough to host three or four a year.”

It should go without saying that the EFF expects everyone to use the highest cleanliness standards in their own kitchens and gardens to prepare their submissions. Nevertheless, everyone should be aware that this is a community swap, and the food items being traded are not necessarily prepared in any “approved” kitchen or space inspected by any government agency.

The Educational Farm Foundation wants to foster an understanding of where our food comes from, and looks for opportunities to educate and support the residents of Moapa Valley while doing so.

No money will be exchanged at this event. Your personal currency will be the food you bring to swap. Although this is a community event, the EFF is asking everyone to pre-register. Registration information can be found at www.educationalfarmfoundationmv.com.