By Whitney Donohue

Moapa Valley Progress

Participants at the Education Farm Foundation’s first Food Swap event get together at the Overton Community Center to barter for food items. Photo by Whitney Donohue.

The Educational Farm Foundation of Moapa Valley held its first Food Swap on Saturday, November 12. Ten people signed up for the swap, which was held at the Overton Community Center.

Darlene Aurich drove out from Las Vegas to participate in the event, bringing her homemade olives.

“My Aunt Dorothy taught me how to preserve olives a long time ago,” she said, “and I’ve been doing it this way ever since.”

Aurich grew up in Moapa Valley, and she harvests her olives from both Las Vegas and here. The olives were a valuable commodity at the swap, with everyone more than willing to make a trade with Aurich.

John and Juniper Olsen brought an dizzying array of fresh produce for the swap. The couple has been gardening like crazy to provide food for their family. One day hope to open a CSA in Moapa.

“I work out in the garden daily, weeding, harvesting,” Juniper said. “We would love to participate in something like this often, maybe even monthly.”

Swapping was slightly frenzied at their table with people excited about their huge squashes, radishes, and bags of spinach and lettuces.

Juniper also brought an amazing variety of baked goods, which were popular as well.

There was an array of home processed goods as well, including Carrot Habanero Sauce, Sea Salted Caramel Sauce, Apple Cider Syrup, Pear Cranberry Conserve, Apple Cranberry Conserve, and Peaches. Many of the participants had samples to taste.

The next swap is tentatively scheduled for February 11, 2012, at the Old Overton Gym. For more information, go to www.educationalfarmfoundationmv.com/ or see the Foundation’s Facebook page.