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Update June 24, 2012: The new location fo the East County Produce Exchange is the parking lot between the Jamul Hardware Store and the new Jamjul Cafe. The exchange has also changed its hours, from 4-5:30 p.m. on the last Saturday each month.
By Ariele Johannson
February 18, 2012 (East County) -- We have all seen oranges or lemons abandoned under trees in someone’s yard or even our own. Some of us have olives or pomegranates but no time to process them. Now there is a local solution. It is called the East County Produce Exchange, created by two Steele Canyon High School students in Jamul, John Chapman and Blake Powers. ECPE teamed up with Alpine Ranch Creative & Ecological Solutions, Inc. or A.R.C.H.E.S to organize and sponsor the Exchange. The venture has been wildly successful. You can visit their website at http://www.archesinc.org/east-county-produce-exchange.html .
Last year, spurred on by my neighbor’s enthusiasm, I attended one of the monthly events. As soon as I arrived, Blake and John greeted me as a newcomer to the “crop swap.” Its purpose is to share the wealth which is produced in yards, farms, and ranches all over East County. Another benefit is the connections made with those who share similar interests in gardening, healthy eating, and community.
With my three jars of olives salt-processed over the winter and a half dozen fresh eggs, I headed to one of the full tables. The monthly Saturday afternoon gathering is located at The Jamul Community Church on Jamul Drive off Lyons Valley Road. It’s a pleasant outdoor site for the monthly exchange on a patio with stone and tiled tables.
Natural spring colors and textures adorned each table. Cut flowers of tall yellow-bloomed perennials in buckets and small bouquets of roses, sweet pea, and daisies shared the first table with lemons and large sprigs of oregano. At the next were blood oranges, halved and on display, with sliced chunks of white turnip to taste and monstrous grapefruits to take. At another were bags of dimpled oranges, strange bumpy lemons, and oregano plants in pots.
Not only is everyone encouraged to “shop,” but I was struck by the generosity and the encouragement of my East County and Jamul neighbors to partake of their offerings. It’s just one more option for getting into more healthy food and a chance to share the bounty. Youth members of ARCHES have launched this produce exchange to encourage community members to share excess produce and crafts with their neighbors. Please bring your fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, eggs, flowers, crafts or anything homegrown to trade with each other. 
The 2012 Kickoff East County Produce Exchange began in January 2012. If you want to join in the fun, sign up for email notification for dates and times at eastcountyproduceexchange@
The next Exchange is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9:30-11:00 am at Jamul Community Church 14058 Jamul Drive, Jamul.
Master Gardener Lois Young will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.
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