Meet HooRWA Hoosic River Watershed Assoc.
Arianna shares Wild Edibles Information at Wild Oats Market
Last Thursday, amidst the bustling aisles of Wild Oats Market in Williamstown, Massachusetts, guests stopped to meet Arianna, a passionate naturalist educator and wild edibles enthusiast.
Ostrich Ferns and Their Culinary Secrets
Arianna’s was eager to share information as she delved into the world of Ostrich ferns. These elegant ferns, native to our local river ecosystem, hold a secret: their fiddleheads are edible delicacies when harvested and cooked properly. But what’s the catch—they’re only edible in their tightly coiled stage when cooked - the stage that Wild Oats Market sells in the Co-op.
From Coiled Curiosity to Culinary Delight
Once properly identified (not all ferns are edible!) and gathered, these fiddleheads undergo a simple transformation. Rinse away the brown papery coating, and they’re ready for culinary exploration. Arianna shared a medley of preparation methods: steaming, boiling, broiling, sautéing, or even pickling. Each method unlocks a different facet of flavor, a dance of textures on the palate. And remember, always enjoy this wild edible cooked—a tribute to the land and the river that sustains us.
HooRWA: Guardians of Our River’s Health
As Arianna spoke to the guests her words connected us to the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA). HooRWA, like the river itself, flows through three states and twenty communities. Their mission? To restore and protect the health of our local river. Water quality monitoring lies at the heart of their work—benthic macroinvertebrate studies, water temperature tracking, E. coli testing, chemical analysis, and now, DNA testing.
Join the Ripple Effect
The river, resilient yet vulnerable, craves our care and respect. So, dear community, let’s join hands with HooRWA. Attend to the river’s wellbeing. Support their tireless efforts. Whether you’re savoring Ostrich fern fiddleheads or simply gazing at the water’s flow, know that you’re part of a ripple—a ripple that echoes across the landscape, nourishing both land and spirit.
Wild Oats Market: Where Food and Community Flourish
And where did this magical gathering unfold? None other than Wild Oats Market, our socially responsible co-op haven. For over four decades, Wild Oats has been the heartbeat of Northern Berkshire County. Locally owned, organic, and committed to sustainability, it beckons food lovers, environmental stewards, and curious souls alike. Come, explore the aisles, sip coffee in the café, and let community thrive.
Together, We Tend the River
The river, the ferns, the stories—they all entwine. And we, like Arianna, become stewards of this delicate balance. Let’s tend the river, sip from its wisdom, and weave our own chapters into its flowing narrative.
April event to connect with Hoosic River Watershed Association water quality experts to learn about:
The care needed for local rivers,
Water temperature sensors,
Watershed maps,
Water quality monitoring work,
HooRWA membership,
Fiddlehead growing areas, and more.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday April 25, 2024
Time: 4 PM - 6 PM
Event located at Wild Oats Market, 320 Main St, Williamstown, MA 01267
July Event to learn about:
The care needed for local rivers,
Water temperature sensors,
Watershed maps,
Water quality monitoring work,
HooRWA membership, and
Examples of bacteria testing work,
Learn what you flowers are edible
Get flower salad making ideas and more.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday July 25, 2024
Time: 4 PM - 6 PM
Event located at Wild Oats Market, 320 Main St, Williamstown, MA 01267
About Wild Oats Market
Wild Oats Market is a socially responsible co-op market that has been serving the Northern Berkshire County community for over four decades. As a collectively Member-Owned store, we have become the go-to destination for local, organic, specialty, bulk, and sustainable food options. Whether you’re passionate about social responsibility, environmental stewardship, fair trade practices, healthy eating, or supporting locally produced food, Wild Oats Market has something for everyone.
Here’s what you need to know about us:
Ownership: More than 1700 community members collectively own this co-op.
Location: Find us at 320 Main St, Williamstown, MA.
Hours of Operation: Store is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
Shopping Experience: Everyone is welcome to shop at Wild Oats Market. Whether you’re browsing the aisles, enjoying a meal in the café, enjoying our outside seating area or looking for ways to save, this co-op is your community hub.
Ways to Save: Check out our weekly deals and explore ways to save on fresh, organic, and local option on our Ways-to-Save page (click here).
Community Engagement: We actively support local non-profit organizations through programs like Every Penny Counts (click here) (formerly Round Up for Change) .
Environmental Commitment: We prioritize environmental stewardship by promoting local and fair-trade food production, renewable energy, composting, and recyclable packaging.
So, if you’re in Williamstown, make sure to visit us, where good food and community come together!
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