09.20.2023

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

🍅 From farm to front door

Community Supported Grocery Brings Local Produce Delivery to Columbia

CSG delivers to the Columbia area every Tuesday. | Photo by COLAtoday

Columbians can now enjoy fresh farm-to-door deliveries, thanks to the expansion of Community Supported Grocery (CSG) into the Soda City.

Originating from Charleston as an extension of mobile market Lowcountry Street Grocery, CSG hopes to strengthen the locally grown food to be more equitable and convenient to all.

Since its launch in 2018, CSG has worked to merge the charm of a local farmers market with the convenience of online subscription-based ordering and home delivery. Each week, subscribers receive curated bundles of local groceries, complete with menus, recipes, and detailed producer information.

This initiative is an offshoot of Lowcountry Street Grocery’s founding ethos of food equity. What began as a school bus turned mobile farmers market has now grown into a community-driven venture, championing access to nutritious, local, and affordable food.

Boxes change from week to week and include a wide variety of items. | Photo by COLAtoday

Every Tuesday, homes in Columbia neighborhoods like Forest Acres, Heathwood, Melrose Heights, Shandon, Elmwood, Earlewood, and parts of West Columbia, receive a delivery of fresh local produce, pasture-raised eggs, and a sourdough from Sour and Salt. As it continues to grow, the delivery area will be expanded.

CSG’s model works to alleviate pressure for local growers, introducing their harvests to a broader audience, including people who might not typically have access due to transportation challenges or food insecurity.

With bundle pricing ranging from $5-10 (with SNAP/EBT) to $102 for specialty and larger family selections, CSG offers fresh food access at a variety of price points.

What could be in a box?

Items change from week to week and by season, but here are some staple items along with a few out-of-the-box veggies.

Mixed spud from Rooting Down Farms
A dozen Storey or Wishbone Farm eggs
Blue Oyster + Lion’s Mane mushrooms from Lowcountry Fungi
Monoclove Garlic from Wabi Sabi

Subscribe for a box

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 20

The Market at Richland Library | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Shop your community to get fresh produce, meet your new favorite author, or pick out an interesting piece of art.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Concert in the Gardens | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 5-7 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $20 | Bring your own blanket or chairs, and pack a picnic if you’d like.
Daddy’s Beemer, Sunhouse, Slow Funeral, Travel Therapy | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 6-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $12-$15 | Charleston indie rock band Daddy’s Beemer returns with support from several outstanding local acts.

Friday, Sept. 22

Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop | Friday, Sept. 22 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | PlantHouse - Columbia, 702 Cross Hill Rd. #400B, Columbia | $35 | Your pumpkin will be the center of attention after this workshop.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Gamecocks Football vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium, 1174 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia | $75-$130 | Head to Willy B. and watch the Gamecocks take on Mississippi State at home.
Cornhole Tournament | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 4-8 p.m. | Capital City Cornhole, 1223 Franklin St., Columbia | $50 per team | This tournament is for all skill levels.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Oktoberfest at Savage Craft | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St, West Columbia | Free | Celebrate Oktoberfest with all-day music, German beer releases and food menu, prizes, face painting + more.*

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Arts

See South Carolina-made Catawba pottery

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

“Herron Effigy Pot” by Bill Harris, made in 2019, is an example of pit-fired earthenware. | Photo provided by the South Carolina State Museum

Produced by members of the Catawba Nation, a group of Native Americans based on the Catawba Indian Reservation in York County, Catawba pottery is the oldest continuously practiced traditional art form found east of the Mississippi River. Passed down through generations, it has helped preserve the cultural identity of the Catawba Nation.

The South Carolina State Museum houses an impressive collection of Catawba pottery, from effigy jars to miniature animal figures and more.

See it for yourself

News Notes

Opening

MOA, a popular Charlotte-based Korean BBQ restaurant, is set to open its doors on Main Street Monday, Sept. 25. Owner Sean Kim transformed a 6,500 sqft. office space into a space with 226 seats, including 27 grill tables and 16 outdoor spots.

Drink

The Great American Whiskey Fair is set for Friday, Oct. 6, at 701 Whaley. It features over 250 whiskeys, including well-known brands like Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, and Jameson, along with a cocktail competition + gourmet food. Ticket options offer early access and exclusive perks.

Show

Life finds a way to Colonial Life Arena. Jurassic World Live Tour will bring five performances at the Cola from January 19-21. The show boasts over 24 life-sized dinosaurs, including Velociraptor Blue and a 40-ft Tyrannosaurus Rex. Pre-sale tickets are available now + general sales start next Tuesday.

Try This

Mai Poke, a new fast-casual restaurant with Polynesian-inspired dishes, has opened at 1426 Main St., sharing space with East Bay Deli. The menu includes signature dishes like the Mahalo Bowl and various acai bowls.

Seasonal

USC’s 103-year-old Carolina Band, AKA the Mighty Sound of the Southeast, has been selected to perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They were one of 10 bands chosen from over 100 applicants to make their debut in the signature Turkey Day parade. The band is crowdfunding the $500,000 trip to the Big Apple.

Concert

Richland County Library’s “Overdue” event returns on Friday, Oct. 13 for a creative after-hours event featuring live music from Death Ray Robin and Gamine. Dive into crafts, tech, and activities ranging from notebook binding to VR painting. The event is 18+, and offers free entry, a cash bar, and food.

Asked

If you could (anonymously) ask a specialist a question about breast cancer, what would you ask? (Think: Breast cancer prevention, detection, surgery, reconstruction + more.) Submit your questions and we’ll follow up with the answers from Prisma Health experts in our next edition of Prisma Health On Call.*

Health

Hesitating to get the flu shot because you’re worried it will make you sick? We’ve got news for you: That’s just a myth. Prisma Health family medicine physician Jaqui Jones, MD, debunks this + other common flu shot myths.*

Wellness

Menopausal symptoms can show up as early as your mid-30s. Test your hormones + walk through your results with a specialist with Wellcore’s $99 At-Home Assessment Kit.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Seasonal

Dive in to this maze

Get lost in this Lake Murray Corn Maze

This year’s corn maze design highlights Lake Murray. | Photo provided by Clinton Sease Farms

Have you felt that hint of fall in the air this week? Clinton Sease Farm in Lexington is ushering in the new season by opening its Corn Maze on Friday and running through Sunday, Nov. 5. This year, the maze celebrates “Lake Murray: the Jewel of South Carolina.”

Beyond the eight-acre maze, the farm offers plenty of activities for all ages, from Barnyard golf and playgrounds to wagon rides and a low ropes course.

A highlight is Farmer Sease’s Pumpkin Patch, where visitors can select the ideal pumpkin for their porch. Admission is $18 at the door or $16 online and gives you access to all farm activities for those ages three and up.

Shop

Shop 9.20.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Seasonal

Hello fall, we’re glad you’re here. Six & Main has everything you need this season from refreshing cocktails to cozy candles. Shop fall essentials.

Tech

Last week, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch 9 — which means you can get a great deal on the Apple Watch 8. Snag it for Amazon’s lowest price in 30 days.

Wellness

It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Drowsy sleep mask, which is silky smooth on skin and completely light-blocking for the deepest sleep.

Eat

The Bentgo stackable lunch box includes two stackable containers, built-in silverware, and dividers to snugly fit food portions into individual compartments.

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I’ve been subscribed to CSG for a few weeks now, and each box brings something exciting. With items like Lions Mane mushrooms, delicata squash, and monoclove garlic, there’s plenty of local variety to spice up your diet.

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