Autumn PDX Food Swap Highlights

Cheers to harvest preservation and sharing the bounties of our kitchens! PDX Swappers met for our seasonal food swap on Sunday, October 23rd at Abby's Table in SE Portland, and we were blessed with another beautiful array of home made, hand crafted goods.

Many thanks to Lindsay Strannigan, local Portland food blogger and kitchen extraordinaire, for her assistance in running the event. Pay her a visit and take a peek at her recipe for Crema di Limoncello that made an appearance at the swap!

Our Winter PDX Food Swap will be held on Sunday, December 11th at Abby's Table.
Registration opens late November.

Want to keep up to date on future swaps?

The easiest way is to like the PDX Swappers Facebook page.

{ Interested in Starting Your Own Swap? }

Soon, the Food Swap Network will go live, providing access to resources, FAQs, a swap directory, and all sort of juicy bits of inspiration to help you begin your own local event.

In the meantime, check out this smattering of terrific resources:

Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking: Food Swaps
Brooklyn Homesteader: Food Swaps Across America
LA Food Swap: Start Your Own
Seattle Swappers: How a Food Swap Works
CHOW: Rules for Effective Swapping

PS: If you have photos or stories from the event, please share. Feel free to post on the Facebook Page, link in the comments below, or send us a note at sustainablefoodforthought@gmail.com. 

Until we swap again,

~Bethany

Autumn Food Swap FAQ

We're excited to see you at Sunday's PDX Food Swap. This October 23rd event is now full, and all registrants have received a confirmation email. Any additional registrations will be kept on a wait list in the event that last minute openings arise. Our next scheduled swap is set for Sunday, December 11th, and we'll begin taking RSVPs mid-November.

In the meantime, seasoned-swapper Lindsay of rosemarried has graciously aided in putting together a helpful FAQ based on some of the questions that came in from those of you new to Food Swapping:

How much stuff should I bring to swap?
Bring as much (or as little) as you like! The more you bring to swap, the more items you’ll take home. There is no minimum, just bring whatever you’re comfortable swapping.

Suggestions on types of goods/foods to bring:
We encourage you to be creative with your swap items! You may swap baked goods, canned goods, homemade spice blends and teas, homemade lotions and balms, home-grown fruits & vegetables, honey, vinegar, dried goods, and more.

Can I bring alcohol?
Yes, you may bring alcohol to swap! In the past we’ve had people swap home brews, infused liqueurs, and other forms of alcohol. Please note, this is a cash-less exchange.

Can I bring my homemade products featuring marijuana that is now legal in Oregon?
No, at this point, we've decided to wait on allowing marijuana-based products. We hope you'll understand!

Do my swap items have to be canned? Or can I bring items that need to be refrigerated or frozen?
We do not require swap items to be canned. However, if your item needs to be refrigerated or frozen, please mark this information on your label. We don’t want anyone getting sick!

How should I package or label my goods?
Make sure everything is contained in a jar, bag, or container that makes the items easy to transport and swap. Make sure all your goods are labeled so that we know what they are! Ingredient lists aren’t necessary but can be very helpful to include.

Additional Inspirations:
Seattle Swappers' How a Food Swap Works
Chow.com's Rules for Effective Food Swapping
Bethany's Pinterest Food Swap Board
Cooking Up a Story's Food Swap Video

Autumn PDX Food Swap: October 23, 2011

Registration Now Open for our Autumn 2011 Portland Hand Crafted Food Swap!

Hosted by Sustainable Food for Thought at Abby's Table in SE Portland

Invite Friends & Spread the Word:

@pdxswappers | #pdxfoodswap | PDX Swappers Facebook Page

After putting up, whipping up, drying, canning, soaking, mixing, stacking, sorting, and setting aside, come celebrate by bringing your favorite creations to swap with fellow Portland foodies.

A Food Swap is part silent auction/part village marketplace/part fun-loving open house where your homemade creations (breads, preserves, special concoctions, canned goods, etc.) become your own personal currency for use in swapping with other participants. What better way to diversify your pantry and rub shoulders with friend and neighbors?

When: Sunday, October 23rd, 2011, 4pm-6pm 

Where: Abby's Table, 609 SE Ankeny Street, Portland, OR 97214

What: Bring an assortment of your homemade edible specialties to exchange for other handcrafted delights. Sustainable Food For Thought will provide swapping cards, name tags, and organization for the event. You will be given the opportunity to offer trades in a silent-auction type format, and you will be free to choose which trades to accept for your products. Bring as much or as little as you like; there are no caps or minimums.

Who: Pacific Northwesterners {aka the Willamette Valley, the Portland Metro Area, and our Neighbors to the North}. Please note, we are unable to provide childcare for this event.

Cost: Swap participants will be given free entry; a donation jar will be available to help cover the cost of supplies. (Or, better yet, donate one of your hand crafted goods!)

{How?}

a) RSVP below with your name, contact info, & description of items you plan to trade.
 
Register early! Due to limited space, we are capping the number of swappers at 35 and will maintain a waiting list.

b) On Sunday the 23rd, please bring your hand crafted goods + a contribution to the appetizer potluck.

c) Simple as that! We’re excited as always to meet one another and celebrate the bounty of the seasons and the fruits of our labor~

This Event is Now Full ~ Thank You!

All registrants have received an email confirmation.
Any new submissions will be held on a waiting list.

Thanks so much ~ see you there!

{ PDX Food Swap Documentary }