The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute this week has a report on two Charlotte organizations – Sow Much Good and Friendship Gardens – that are expanding beyond gardening and into farming as they work to provide fresh local food to city neighborhoods and people who aren’t likely to have at a farmer’s market. We would add to the list the Davidson Community Garden. Read more in FOOD & DINING»

Also in Food & Dining:

• June 20, 2012, “Maddy’s Fatty’s battles bullying with baked goods” – Christina Rogers talks to the owner of the new Cornelius bakery about how it’s more than a business to her.
• June 14, 2012, “Harris Teeter plans new format in 2 former Lowe’s stores in Cornelius and Huntersville”
• June 13, 2012, “Meatballs on Main brings a NYC concept to Cornelius”
• June 15, 2012, Dining News column: “Sweets at Maddy’s Fatty’s; a Carrburritos for Davidson”

Sisters June Clewell (left) and Avery Clewell chowed down on fresh peaches Saturday at the Davidson Farmer’s Market. (Bill Giduz/DavidsonNews.net)

HAVE PHOTOS?

We’re always looking for good photos of Davidson, people and events. Send us your photos for consideration at editor@davidsonnews.net. Read the full story

John Baker owns Davidson Beverage Co., in South Main Square. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

John Baker didn’t seek out his career change, it came to him. After a 2010 downsizing at the media distributor where he worked, he decided to turn his taste for beer into a business: Davidson Beverage Co.

The specialty wine and craft beer store opens this week in South Main Square, 442 S. Main St. in Davidson. Mr. Baker has taken over the former MasterWorks School of the Arts space. (MasterWorks moved to a smaller space nearby.) Read the full story

Get your forks out: Saturday will be Strawberry Shortcake Day at the Davidson Farmer’s Market in downtown Davidson. Meanwhile, our Food & Dining page today also has Camila Domonoske’s weekly Dining News column, with word about an opening date for Bonefish Grill in Birkdale, and a preview of Mother’s Day specials and music schedules at local eateries. In FOOD & DINING»

Davidson Farmer’s Market will come out of winter mode and return for its fifth year of full weekly markets this Saturday, April 7, in downtown Davidson. As the new spring/summer season begins, the market will feature favorite veteran vendors and welcome new ones selling everything from gourmet chocolate to cheese to breakfast sandwiches. Katie Lovett reports in FOOD & DINING»

This crew of women enjoyed the festivities and helped raise money for Community Arts Project. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Thursday night’s Taste of Art fundraiser at The Fresh Market off Torrence Chapel Road was a feast for wine-lovers and diners – and a major annual fundraiser for the Community Arts Project. Read the full story

What a cow!!

Almost 80 degrees today!  If this is winter, we are not complaining but if you listen to the Farmer’s Almanac, when March comes “in like a lamb,” watch out -  it is likely to go “out as a lion.”  In the meantime, when one is not talking about GOP primaries, Daytona racing or Davidson Wildcats playing in the Southern Conference Tournament, then the most likely topics of conversation are rising prices at the pump and the grocery costs. With live cattle prices too high to even consider feeding out a steer, we had to smile as we caught up with the Chick Fil-A cow this week.  Maybe he is onto something with “Eat Mor Chikin.”

Today Around Davidson has a definite flavor of France with a few suggestions about livestock, poultry, eating out and aging.  In addition we go to “market” and introduce you to two new faces in Marketing. Read the full story

On our Food & Dining page today, Nikki Sawyer Moore has a recipe for Baked Eggs, with spinach, mushrooms, and leeks – an easy meal she says works when you’re stuck at home dining alone.

Also on the page today, Camila Domonoske has another edition of Dining News, with info on this weekend’s Soup on Sunday fundraiser for Serenity House and a beer-and-bratwurst bash Saturday morning at Davidson Farmer’s Market. Plus news about grand opening weekend at Paddy’s Pour House in Cornelius.

See FOOD & DINING»