Locavore Living by Carol Smiley Pope

connecting our community

WACO DOWNTOWN

bringing Waco together FARMERS MARKET

ISSUE 1

THE BUZZ about

BEES play all day A FUN-FILLED WEEKEND IN

WACO

TAKE IT OUTSIDE! ★ can't miss ★ PARKS & TRAILS

letter

from the editor

Thank you for picking up Locavore Living! My name is Carol and I am a Central Texas native, hobby homesteader, and lover of all things local. Merriam-Webster defines a locavore as “one who eats foods grown locally whenever possible.” I like to take this a step further by dining in locally owned restaurants, shopping for gifts in local shops, and exploring our beautiful natural resources. My husband and I do this when we travel as well to gain a greater sense of the local culture wherever we are. Locavore Living is about connecting our community, from the growers, producers, and craftsmen to the restaurant owners, gift shops, and the general public. My hope is that this publication will connect you to more of what makes Central Texas great and that you will share something new with someone else!

Carol

ontents

IN THIS ISSUE

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THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES Producing more than honey

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Can't miss parks & trails

PLAY ALL DAY A fun-filled weekend in Waco

W·D·F·M Bringing neighbors together

H·O·T HAPPENINGS Events you don't want to miss

producing more than honey

y now, you’ve probably heard that bees play a critical role in food production. This is true, as Heifer International credits bees with pollinating about 80% of the crops we consume, including coffee. The USDA states that pollinators add $18 Billion to crop revenues, with over 100 crops grown in the United States benefiting from their presence. Furthermore, raw, local honey is known to help boost the immune system and reduce the effects of allergies.

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Not everyone can host a beehive, so what can busy city-dwellers do to help the pollinators? First, keep that herb garden going! Rosemary, lavender, mint, and oregano are all beneficial for bees. Add a shallow bee bath nearby, adding small pebbles or twigs to give bees a place to perch. That's all it takes to have a bee garden. Have a little more space? Throw out some wildflower seeds and plant more trees! Most native flowers like zinnias, cosmos, morning glories, and sunflowers are beneficial, and bees love flowering fruit trees, desert willows, crape myrtles, and redbuds. The easiest way to benefit the bees is by slacking off in your yard. Skip the pesticides and leave a few weeds to allow the edges of your yard to go native. Pesticides contribute heavily to the decline of the bee population, so simply not using them makes a significant impact in your area.

Walker Honey Farm

Shop online or in their farm store for honey, honeycomb, candles, wine, & more. Their Central Texas Wildflower honey is produced locally! walkerhoneyfarm.com

Honey in the Rock Apiary

Family owned and operated, Honey in the Rock uses no cultivated crops. Instead, their bees feast on wildflowers, cactus, & mesquite. You can find their honey at Bar None Country Store & China Spring Country Store. honeyintherockapiary.com

Round Rock Honey

If you live closer to Austin, Round Rock Honey’s raw honey may be for you. They frequent the Waco Downtown Farmers Market & also carry delicacies such as Orange Cinnamon Honey on their website. roundrockhoney.com

WalkerHoney HoneyFarm Farm Walker productson ondisplay display products at a local H-E-B. at W Wildflowers are an easy addition to your bee-friendly landscape.

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take it

OUTSIDE

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can't miss parks & trails As we learned during the COVID pandemic, your local gym may not always be accessible. Vitamin D is also beneficial for your physical and mental health. Thankfully, the Waco area features some impressive trails and parks so you can easily enjoy outdoor recreation and exercise at your own speed.

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Cotton Belt Trail This is one of the newest trails in Waco! This one is concrete with lighting, perfect if you like a less primitive experience. Located between Woodway and McGregor, trail use peaks in the evenings with residents on evening runs.

Brazos Park East Horseshoe pits and smooth sidewalks make this park an excellent choice for a midafternoon gathering among friends. The river trail connects Brazos Park East to downtown as well as to nearby Baylor University.

Lake Waco Dam Gorgeous views of Lake Waco and smooth concrete make this one perfect for a sunset walk. It’s a steep climb to the top, but level once you’ve made the ascent. Perfect for a bike ride or pulling the kids in a wagon.

Cameron Park Cameron Park is one of the largest municipal parks in Texas and truly has something for everyone. If you like a challenge, take a hike up Jacob's Ladder. Disc golf and challenging trails await, as well!

There’s an app for that!

AllTrails has local trails - and thousands of others mapped out for you. Plan your next excursion now! LOCAVORE LIVING · № 4

You finally have a weekend to unwind, but you don’t feel like traveling. No problem! Skip the road trip and enjoy a side of Waco that you may normally overlook as a local.

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! y a d l l a y a l p

a fun-filled weekend in Waco

Saturday

Downtown Farmers Market Head downtown and start your day off right with fresh air, your favorite coffee or juice, and fabulous breakfast items from the many vendors at the farmers market. Kurbside Coffee and Luna Juice are must-visits, and the burritos from Sergio’s are worth the wait. In addition to jams, butters, honey, and produce, you’ll find handmade soaps and jewelry, house plants, fresh cut flowers.

Milo All Day Milo started out as a food truck, but quickly realized their potential and opened a full-service restaurant. Sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen and patio is great for people watching, and they are vegetarian friendly! Shops at Spice Village A long-time favorite of locals and visitors alike, the Shops at Spice Village are a great mix of clothing, gifts, and home items. Don’t want to climb the stairs? There’s an elevator behind them. Balcones Distillery If you’re into whisky tasting, Balcones Distillery has a charming tasting room in their historic building. You can stop by for a quick sip or hang out for hours. Schedule ahead if you’d like a tour!

Dr Pepper Museum If a Dr Pepper float from a vintage soda fountain sounds more your speed, the Dr Pepper Museum is a must visit! You can tour the entire museum or just pop in to visit the soda fountain. Hecho en Waco This place is not your typical Tex-Mex! Hecho en Waco has a very different style that reflects the food culture of interior Mexico. A hidden gem with a covered patio and gourmet cocktails! Waco Axe Co Finish off the evening with a little friendly competition at Waco Axe Co! They have a friendly staff that will teach you everything you need to know. Once you’ve hit the bullseye, you’re sure to sleep like a baby.

Take a reusable shopping bag so you can carry your finds!

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Sunday Moroso Sleep in and lounge around, then head to Moroso’s to enjoy a wood-fired pizza or the best chicken and waffles you’ll ever have. This family-owned restaurant is authentic Italian in all the best ways! You’re very likely to meet Mr. Moroso himself; look for the friendly man with the mustache. Fabled A newer attraction, Fabled is more than just a bookshop. They have seating areas scattered throughout their space, an ever-changing gift selection, and a cafe with coffee, wine, and snacks. Some visit to study or work, but we love Fabled for the community feel and architectural charm. Dichotomy Speaking of architecture, head over to Dichotomy for one last coffee or cocktail and a photo opportunity. Their rooftop balcony boasts an impressive Waco mural!

Take time to enjoy the many murals found in Downtown Waco!

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BRINGING NEIGHBORS TOGETHER

W·D·F·M

WACO DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday 9am - 1pm McLennan County Courthouse Parking Lot wacodowntownfarmersmarket.org

Waco Downtown Farmers Market (WDFM) has been a Saturday morning delight since its' inception in November of 2011 along the banks of the Brazos. As a long-time Wacoan, I remember counting down to the very first Saturday farmers market. Over the past nine years, WDFM has evolved into a very popular gathering place for our community and a great source of income for many local farmers, chefs, and artisans. Additionally, musicians have met new fans, rescue dogs have found new families, and old friends have reconnected over coffee. Ever-evolving, WDFM is always an exciting place to visit, if only to enjoy the friendly energy shared between all who visit. Many vendors take cash or credit, which creates convenience for shoppers. However, perhaps the most underrated achievement of WDFM is that they have managed to make fresh foods accessible to those on food assistance programs. Those who receive SNAP, WIC, or have a Lonestar card can exchange their food benefits for vouchers to be used at the market, putting high quality food from local vendors into the hands of some of our most vulnerable citizens.

WDFM’s mission is “to bring locally grown and produced goods to downtown Waco in order to support local farmers and artisans as well as to enrich the culture of our community.”

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Heart of Texas HAPPENINGS EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

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May 2021

Teague Farmers Market - 9am - 1pm

Karaoke @ Buzzard Billy's - 6:30pm - 9:30pm Trivia @ True Love Bar - 7pm First Friday @ Bru Artisan Coffee Works - 6pm - 9pm Waco Downtown Farmers Market - 9am - 1pm Pat Green @ Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30pm

Want to add your event to our calendar? Email us: calendar@locavorelivingwaco.com

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