https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/csas
The CSA Directory lists farm or network/association of multiple farms that offer consumers regular (usually weekly) deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s) on a subscription or membership basis. Customers have access to a selected share or range of farm products offered by a single farm or group of farmers based on partial or total advance payment of a subscription or membership fee.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of Virginians who struggle to consistently acquire enough food to feed themselves and their families. It has been estimated that an additional 446,000 Virginians have become food insecure during the pandemic, in addition to the 850,000 Virginians who were already struggling before the pandemic and economic downturn.
Beware of popular apologists who never preach the cross, and are more concerned about reconciling God with the world than the world with God. -Ray Comfort
Calling all artists!! Due to the success of our first 'Art in Transit' show, Bay Transit and the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock are partnering once again to give all artists the opportunity to submit their non-digital paintings or drawings for 'Art in Transit' 2022. The first place winner will receive a $700 cash prize and have their artwork reproduced on the side of a Bay Transit bus. Please visit the Bay Transit website at www.BayTransit.org or the RAL Art Center website at ralartcenter.com to download the Call for Entries and Entry Form. The deadline for art submissions is April 18th, 2022.
If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
Reality: If it is too good to be true, it is probably GOD! His free gift of salvation is the only thing I know that is too good to be true.
These links go to albums of pictures from two Food Lions in our county. We did not purchase anything. We went there solely to see the condition of the shelves. A local friend said she had to put half her meat back due to limits (aka rationing).
Since the Monster Truck Jam has been rescheduled, Clint is going to swing by Sams Club on his way home tonight.
Food Lion Hargett Blvd Gloucester, VA Jan 20, 2022
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/vanity=100006562608379&set=a.3277717765790278
YRC Food Lion Jan 20, 2022
There is much less stock in our local Walmart this week.
These were all of the pictures I could get:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=100006562608379&set=a.3277065459188842
I have that album set to public, so you should be able to see it.
I'm not concerned yet. I want to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks after the weather settles and people recover. I am buying less than normal now to make sure items are on the shelf for the next person.
You can find what you need if you don't mind going from store to store or paying more. I am very concerned for the people on fixed incomes. There are many already choosing between food and medicine as it is.
In my hometown, Suffolk, VA, fights have broken out over different products in different stores. One friend says that Kroger, Walmart, Food Lion, and other stores in Suffolk are very bare. Another friend who lives in Suffolk said the store she works for had 67 call-outs in one day.
I am hearing that fights are breaking out in other areas where stock is limited. Then there are people stealing other people's groceries. I highly recommend you shop with a friend or protection and practice situational awareness.
Here's an article from November 2021 breaking down the percentages of food price increases:
Stay safe! My love to all!
Canada: Grocery stores could close if labour, product shortages worsen: experts
https://q107.com/news/8519786/grocery-store-closures-labour-product-shortages
Grocery stores are struggling with rising labour and product shortages that could threaten Canada’s food security, experts say.
Employee absenteeism due to workers calling in sick and COVID-19 protocols has hit about 30 per cent at some stores and is continuing to rise, Gary Sands, senior vice-president of public policy with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, said Tuesday. ...
If the situation worsens, some grocery stores won’t be able to stay open _ threatening food security in rural and remote areas that rely on a sole independent grocer, Sands said."
Some of you are interested in this, so I am sharing...
Glo-Co Walmart did not have $100 of my grocery order. I ordered $235 worth of groceries, and they had $134 worth.
They did not have my:
6 lbs chicken breasts
30 lbs chicken thighs and legs
green onions
15 lbs hamburger
16 lbs jumbo russet potatoes (which I wanted to store to use for seed)
They DID have:
3 lbs each of 2 kinds of apples
3 lbs fresh sweet potatoes
5 lbs oranges
9 lbs onions
3 bunches celery
1 specialty pasta
1 bag frozen vegetables
1 package hamburger patties
gum
glucosamine
20 oz fresh garlic
10 lbs fresh carrots (they did not have these last week)
25 lbs red potatoes
10 lbs of another type of russets
I am getting low on fresh green beans and broccoli, so I was trying to add those to my cart in preparation for my next order (this weekend). They do not have either in stock. Frozen is available for both. There is also now a limit of three on quite a few items. Canned pet food had a limit of four.
While I was warned long before the pandemic that we needed to stock up on food, I can't predict what is going to happen. I can relay to you what I am seeing in pictures and videos across the country. I can share what I am seeing in person in my area. I have opinions about what I think will happen, but my opinions don't mean diddly squat. My love to all.
“How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes. He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner's prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn’t take away his pain, heal his body, or smite the scoffers. Yet it was a thief who walked into heaven the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who he said he was. No spin from brilliant theologians. No ego or arrogance. No Shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the entrance. Just a naked dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray.”
"Stress of all kinds is a natural part of life (Job 5:7, 14:1; 1 Peter 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13). But how we deal with it is up to us. If we choose to try to do it on our own, we will not find lasting relief. The only way we can consistently and successfully deal with stress is with Jesus Christ. First, we must believe in Him. Second, we need to trust Him and obey Him. We should trust Him to do what is right because His ways are always best for us.
Disobedience and sin can produce stress and cut us off from the only means of peace and joy. By obeying His commandments we reap the blessings of true contentment from a loving God. Finally, we need to seek His peace daily by filling our minds with His Word, lifting all things to Him in prayer, and sitting at His feet in awe and reverence. It is only by His grace, mercy, and love that the stress in our lives can be managed." source
“There’s not a shortage of food in the U.S.,” said Benjamin Ruddell, a professor with expertise in supply chains at Northern Arizona University. “But we all need a little buffer ... at least three days’ worth of necessities on hand.” source
I agree that there should not be a shortage of food in our nation. I personally like a longer buffer on things we use frequently.
*****
What the members of the groups I am on now are showing through their walkthrough videos and pictures of the stores they shop in is very, very low stock on shelves and in stock rooms throughout different parts of the country. In some places, some of the freezer cases have been closed or removed. There appear to be bigger gaps on the shelves in most stores now. I believe some of the stores have been impacted by winter storms, but not all of them are in those areas.
Some of the people posting freak out big time if they can't buy a certain type of soda. I don't consider soda food. One lady was upset because her favorite candy bar was out of stock. Another was very afraid because her brand of fresh milk was out. There were smaller jugs in another brand in the picture she shared.
People are reporting that the quality of any fresh produce in stock is down.
Friends in Suffolk told me that the OTC and herbal medicine aisles are very sparse.
Where I am, I am getting about 85% to 90% of my online grocery orders which is about normal. The 3 pounds of fresh green beans I received last week were a bit past their prime but still edible. The fresh broccoli I purchased was in very good condition. I did not get the six pounds of carrots I ordered.
Today, I was adding to an existing order and noticed the fresh chicken breasts I buy are out of stock. There were other brands of fresh chicken available. There is also plenty of canned and frozen chicken. Other meats were readily available.
After overusing my hips, knees, and ankles (climbing, kneeling, crawling, sitting on the floor for two days) I had to buy a name-brand joint formula instead of the store brand. I am taking triple the dose so I went back to purchase more. They did not have what I had bought earlier, but they had another form of the same brand with a slightly different formulation.
My perspective: I tend to be very practical and can adapt to changing situations, so my take on it is different than some of the people posting in the groups. I could care less if there are no potato chips to purchase, but I'm happy to see real potatoes are well stocked. I know I can take those fresh potatoes and make potatoes chips and many more different dishes from them. I can also take some of those potatoes and grow more.*
The pickup times at my store are harder to get than they use to be. I found a way to ensure I get a timeslot that works for our schedules. If you want that tip, send me a text or an email.
Concerning: There have been more reports of people being robbed of their groceries. I know some have happened in parking lots as the people were loading their cars. One person had food taken out of their arms as a gang ran past. There were some cases of people who were followed home and then had their groceries stolen. A man I know has changed his family's shopping habits because of these reports. We use the pickup service, so I am not too concerned. When I shop at night, there is a little friend that goes with me.
Very concerning: Prices are still going up. This makes it very hard for those on low or fixed incomes. Please look a little harder at those around you and help where you can. It is very easy to have groceries anonymously delivered. You can anonymously mail a grocery store gift card. You can also drop off groceries yourself. Even $25 can provide several nutritious meals using basic ingredients.
*The last time I mentioned this, I was told "You can't take grocery store potatoes and grow them!!!" How do you think people grew potatoes before certified seed potatoes came along? I've done it many years. So have plenty of others. I saw my dad do it eons ago when I was a small child. Certified seed potatoes are potatoes, usually smaller ones, that have been inspected and tested for diseases. The concern is that you can introduce disease into your garden by using grocery store potatoes. Carefully inspect the potatoes as you cut them into pieces to chit. Anything weird, throw out, clean your knife and surfaces with vinegar, and keep going. I have not seen the benefit of paying so much more for certified seed potatoes, but that is just me and my experiences.
My love to all!
T is still in the burn unit. We were told he has an extremely long recovery ahead. Please pray for his salvation and healing. His family also needs prayer.
Lora's mother passed away after a long battle with cancer. Her 28-year-old son took his life shortly afterward in his deceased grandmother's home. Hours apart. As you can imagine, they are beyond devastated with shock and sorrow. Please cover them in prayer. Caleb also left behind his father and 12 younger siblings.
This was written about a friend of mine. I watched his life spiral downward and his struggle to gain a foothold to survive. I asked prayer for him here when his family was suffering and again when he was in rehab. All of this is true. I am so proud of my friend and the man he has become because he surrendered his life fully to Jesus. He is an inspiration! Whenever you think a situation is impossible, remind yourself that "God CAN!!"
Christianity always talks about being "Born Again", yet the world just rolls its eyes.... and I understand why. Where are these "born again" folks? Most "born again" folks act the same, talk the same and do the same things they have always done. Where are these new creations? So many people think being born again just means adopting a new worldview or believing some facts about Jesus. So many people think being born again is having an emotional response at a church service or getting a sensational sign from the heavens. So many people think being born again just means you acknowledge your mistakes and try to do better. So many people think being born again means adding Jesus and church to your already busy life. But the reality is none of these things make you "born again". While all these things can happen to someone as they are born again or leading up to their new birth, they are not proof that someone is. A "born again" person is truly a new creation. Let me give you an example of someone who is born again. A year ago a man joined my church smelling of alcohol. He was a self-professed Christian and he knew all the right facts about Jesus. Yet in reality he was one of the most broken men that I have ever seen. He knew he was a wreck and he knew he needed to change but he couldn't. He tried rehab, he tried AA, he tried to "man up" and be strong, he even tried church but none of it could fix him. In God's eyes, he was diseased, he was wicked, he was a sinner. Yet the world said he was a good husband, father, and Christian. In his eyes he was broken but could be fixed. Well somewhere along the way God revealed to this man that he needed to "die" so that he could be reborn. He needed to give up his life so that God could give him true life. I don't know when it exactly happened but the world can now see the difference. This weak shell of a man who lived off of alcohol became a new creation. I just got finished doing a funeral where another pastor and myself buried this man's father. But do you know what I thought throughout the service? Who is this new man? Where is the weak man who would have shown up to the funeral drunk just a year ago? Where is the weak man who couldn't handle life and would have been destroyed by the death of his father? Instead what I saw was a new man! What I saw was one of the strongest men I have ever seen! I saw a man that looked like Jesus! I saw a man that was full of love, hope, grace, and peace! I have a hard time explaining what it means to be "born again" but if you want to see what it looks like then I can show you a man! This man is strong, powerful, and loving. This man is born again! This man died to self and now lives for Christ! This man was saved by the blood of Christ! This man is a child of God! This man is my brother, K. B.! God is proud, your dad is proud, your family is proud, your church is proud, and I am proud of the new man you have become!"
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Jeremiah 32:17
Update 1/8: Timmy is home. He was dehydrated and has a bladder infection. He is feeling better and is on two types of antibiotics. He joked about how Joshua almost got him some venison (Joshua's accident.) Well, I texted him tonight and told him he 'almost' got some more. Clint and I had a herd of nervous does dart in front of us. I said some bad words. I'm not liking the deer this year.
Update 1/7: Still no word from Timmy. I am not family, so I can not get info about him.
1/6: Timmy is in the hospital. I am not sure why. He texted me around 4 a.m. saying they were taking him to be checked out. He is alone at night, so he must have called them. His aids do not get there until later in the morning. I have not heard anything else.
Thank you for your concern.
Yes, Joshua had a deer strike. A deer ran out in front of him late last night on his way home from closing the restaurant. It was at the beginning of Guinea Road near the convenience center. Bethany was with him.
Joshua's truck needs about $300 in repairs (not too bad considering). Praise the Lord, neither Joshua nor Bethany were injured. The deer walked away with Joshua's headlight. Joshua is driving Bethany's car until his is repaired. Again, thank you for the concern! Love to all!
Emily was enrolled in her four-year online high school course today. She is excited! This is a fully accredited school that will give her a diploma employers will recognize.
She already has a standing job offer at CFA for when she turns 16 due to the way her siblings have performed there.
It is solely up to Emily on how fast or slow she completes the course. If she chooses, she could graduate and then start college at 15 years old.
We are very proud of Emily!
This will cause more supply chain disruptions. Think ahead and keep your homes stocked up.
Notice they are having issues getting food and how they are handling that situation.
Brandon was given an excellent review and a 7% raise today! We are very proud of him! Way to go, son!
Update: Due to the weather, we changed the meeting until Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Lord willing, we will reach another goal tonight at 6.
"Hard work pays off" is a very popular saying. I like to say God rewards hard work!
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire."
Hebrews 12:28-29
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.- Romans 6:11-12
We were interviewing Betty for a position when she broke down. She is in her 60s and newly divorced from a husband who cheated on her. He then abandoned the family by running to another state. She had to sell her home of 35+ years and is having to downsize her belongings. Everything is fresh and the changes are overwhelming her.
Thank you to all who pray for Betty.
Happy New Year
