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Monday, August 20, 2012

About Alamo Swappers


 

If you are  a home cook, baker, caner, pickler, jamer, grower, forager or like to create other wonders in your kitchen, Alamo Swappers is the place for you to get together and swap your goodies with others in a silent auction style.   Simply prepare your specialty and swap it for other goods such as pickles, jams, bread, backyard eggs, sauces, cookies and anything else your community friends have taken pride in preparing too.  Swapping is a fast growing movement that allows us to diversify our pantries, unleash the creative muses, grow stronger ties with our community and relieve our budgets.
Alamo Swappers events are free and will take place at various locations.  Great efforts will be taken to ensure a free space.  If a venue needs to be rented, you will be informed if a small donation is necessary to cover the rented space cost.
We invite you to read our guidelines.
We are part of the Food Swap Network. Take a look at their website to find a swap near you, how to host a swapping event and much more information:
http://www.foodswapnetwork.com/

Saturday, August 18, 2012

The official Alamo Swappers Website is Up!

Food Swappers is not my original idea; it is not even a new idea.  Food swapping has been going on forever and I have to thank Kate Payne and Megan Paska for founding Food Swap Network, such a wonderful movement.  I thank also FSN collaborators,  Emily Ho, Bethany Tydmark and Kim Christensen, for investing their efforts in aiding me in this exciting adventure.

A week ago, I attended a fermented condiment workshop organized by a good friend.  I was hopping I could exchange my chile sauce and some peppers for some other goodies.  The interest was low, people were not prepared and I wished I could have done something else to promote it. 

That same week, I ventured into making some organic chipotle in adobo.  I wanted the real thing.  I dryed and smoked fresh organic peppers, made the tomato paste with tomatoes from a friend's garden and then, I simmered the ingredients for hours.  It seemed too much trouble to make a small amount so I made a big pot.  Anyone who has bought those little cans at the store know that a little bit goes a long way.  When done, I realized that I had made enough chipotle to last me a life time.  I canned them in small mason jars and offer them for sale to friends.  They flew of my hands! People liked and appreciated what I made.

A couple of days later, I found the Food Swap Network page.  I have no idea how it happened but it felt almost like destiny so here I am, working on setting up a San Antonio swappers group.  I look forward to exchange the fruits of my labor with friends and neighbors and make new friends.