I have just taken some spare rhubarb to a neighbour....in return for some strawberry/rhubarb jam!
So far this week, after some negotiation with hen, duck and quail eggs we have received
1 home baked loaf
1 jar of apple sauce
1 bucketful of eating apples
A large bag of scones
1 bowl of cherry tomatoes (given without a swap- Thanks Pat!)
1 jar of damson Jam
half a sack of wheat
oh and a donated second hand parka coat "we thought of you out in all weathers"- thanks Kate
Apparently in Gwaenysgor ( the next village) there is a co-operative that meet in the village hall to "swap" excess produce... I have been told they meet on a Wednesday morning.
May be worth a visit
I saw that honey there the other week, never knew we had a honey farm in Trelawnyd !!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea
ReplyDeleteLove the new greeny look to your blog. Of course the exchange principle predates money. I sometimes think of it when we get tradesmen's quotes for our house. What did Shirley have to do as a nurse to gain say £500, what did I have to do as a teacher? What are you giving me in return? Is the balance equitable? Usually it isn't.
ReplyDeletejason
ReplyDeletethey sellit at Eirlys' farm opposite the garage
Eggsellent! I do love a good barter :)
ReplyDeleteThat's living! I am incredibly disappointed my plum supplier (in return for coconut cake) has had a poor year.
ReplyDeleteWonderful trades...
ReplyDeleteBeing neighborly has great perks.
Ah..the old ways are the best ways.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy bartering. Wish we had a organized swap location for such items here. I would so go.
ReplyDeleteI love the green, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you made out like bandits!
I would definitely find time to go to the swap if I were you. :)
Wonderful trades!
ReplyDeleteI wish my neighbors had more goodies to offer than composted manure!
may have to get some to go with the bread !
ReplyDeleteVillage life at its BEST.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful neighbors you have. You do live the good life John.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you scored big time.
ReplyDeleteWhat it's all about in my book.
ReplyDeleteJust taken delivery of some 'Turk's Head' squash's in return for some Maran eggs myself today...
Sounds like you have your own informal cooperative going on already.
ReplyDeleteWell, I know what to do with apples and cherry tomatoes and even jam. But if the loaf isn't already sliced and the eggs and flour aren't already ... something, I don't know what you'd expect me to do with that stuff except swap it for something ready to eat! I'd be heading directly for Gwaenysgor (even though I'm sure I couldn't say it).
ReplyDeleteSupremely jealous of your Rhubarb-Strawberry jam! Rhubarb is always of favorite of mine! I love the idea of a swap.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea! A local food swap...hmmm. I should look into organizing something like that around here. Although an interesting bit of info I found out recently is disconcerting; here in the States we're legally required to list any goods or services we received in barter on our tax return, and then pay taxes on it!! I can't help but wonder how often that happens... :-)
ReplyDeleteDxox
Were the scones from Auntie Glad?
ReplyDeleteelizabeth
ReplyDeleteof course..all wrapped up carefully as usual
John that's great. Just been watching the news, apparently inflation is now up to four and a half per cent. A lot of families must be struggling. I think food share is going to be part of survival. We give some of our surplus veggies away. Once when we went for a day out to Towyn, Other Half asked this family if they'd like some courgettes. They were chuffed to bits and gave us 4 mackerel in exchange. They'd been out fishing in the morning. So good all round.
ReplyDeleteA co-op, sounds good to me, wish we had something like that nearby. You going in the morning? You must let us know how well you score!
ReplyDeleteHello John!! I have to confess that when we lost our internet connection last week, I really missed reading your blog! While I don't always comment, escaping to your blog for a few minutes daily is something I 'wouldn't trade' for eating apples...Okay, maybe I would for some of that strawberry/rhubarb jam though! :-)))
ReplyDeleteFood swapping is all the better as it bipasses the dreaded taxman.
ReplyDeleteStrawberry and rhubarb sounds like a lovely combination for jam. I have a few strawberries and some of this year's rhubarb in my freezer so I might just try making some.
BTW, is that a jar of pickled onions in the picture?
Barter is an excellent system. I give my surplus homegrown veges and fruit to my neighbour, and she keeps me supplied with lovely fresh free range eggs. I think I get the better deal!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and do you have a LETS Group in your area? For exchange of skills and services as well as goods?
ReplyDeleteI just made apple and sultana chutney, I'd send you a jar if I could!
Go for it John...you never know what you'll find there. How nice of the neighbour with the coat to think of you. :)
ReplyDeleteDamson jam! Let's see now.....I would trade you ANYTHING for that! Haven't had that for some time now......Ron's Mom made it every fall.
ReplyDeleteYou've got it made John.......all that hard work and of course your 'good Karma'.
Now that is some excellent bartering work!
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