Have you stopped by the LEAP Community Store from 3-5 pm on a Thursday? It's a fun place to be, with Kitchen Manager Jeff Bland offering samples of recently prepared items from the LEAP Processing Kitchen.

Often there's a soup to try and maybe a less well-known apple or pear variety. But the trials don't end there. Jeff has presented pear cider, from-scratch noodles, pickled radishes, bread pudding, and pimento cheese, to name a few. Feedback from the tastings informs Jeff's recipes. Many of the samples become staples, regularly prepared in the Processing Kitchen then sold from the Community Store fridges and the Mobile Market coolers.

Is there something you'd like to see Jeff make from local produce (or bread or milk products)? Let him know. He's all ears! Want to ask a question about how he cooks local ingredients? He's got tips!

One more reason to stop by the LEAP Community Store on select Thursdays: Sustainable Roanoke is hoping to schedule regular popups of their Zero Waste Refill Station during this time. It's a chance for you to purchase no-waste soaps, detergents, toothpastes, and other household goods.

Of course, the LEAP Community Store is always a great place to shop for local fruits and veggies; farm-raised cheeses, eggs, meats, and milk; and lots of other tasty treats for your table. Cash, credit, and SNAP/EBT are accepted as payment. SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC customers receive 50 percent off on all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.