Meetings & Events

Meetings & special events are open to the general public. There is an informal "meet and greet" portion and short presentation of information about the local, living economy or other matters of interest to the members. 

Upcoming Events

October 5th: Local Networking Happy Hour & General Membership Meeting

General meeting using the world cafe style format.

General topic to discuss: How should CDLF move forward in 2010? Please join us for this fun, lively and important meeting.  We need each other to effect change.  Let your voice be heard to make the most of your organization.

Timing: 6:15 to 7:00;socializing/networking

            7:00 to 7:15;intro & explanation

            7:15 to 8:00;brainstorming

            8:00 to 8:30;summarize & wrap-up

October 25th: Local Harvest Festival

2-6 pm at Washington Park Lake House in Albany.

Admission is free to the public. Live music, cooking demos and food vendors featuring locally produced foods. 

Vendor tables are only $25!

November 21st: Buy Local Bash!!

5-9 pm at the Troy Atrium

Join CDLF in kicking off the holiday shopping season by BUYING LOCAL at our semi-annual Buy Local Bash & Vendor Fair! CDLF member-businesses will have tables to sell their wares, with entertainment by local musicians and treats to eat by local restaurants. 

Vendor tables are $25.

Previous Events

General Meeting: Eating Locally

Date: Monday, June 1 from 5:45 - 8:30

Location: Whimsey Acres Farm, 122 Brick Church Rd., Troy, NY.  (518) 274-4011

Theme: Eating Locally.

5:45 - 6:15 -- Networking social time, potluck dinner

6:15 - 6:30 -- Optional Barn/farm tour, or more socializing & dining

6:30 - 6:45 -- Welcome, thank you's, brief intro on Whimsey Acres Farm and member introductions

6:45 - 7:00 -- Report on the May 3rd Buy Local Day, reports from Hub groups.

7:00 - 8:30 -- Guest speaker Sharon Astyk, local author, will speak about her forthcoming book A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil, as well as Depletion and Abundance: Life on the New Home Front.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, as well as a potluck dish to share. We want to minimize trash, so we encourage people to bring their own dishware & utensils (though we'll have some on hard if you forget).

Parking is available but everyone is encouraged to carpool.

Rain or shine (shelter will be provided in case of rain).

BUY LOCAL DAY   --- SCHENECTADY, NY   ---  MAY 3, 2009

The Buy Local Bash in Schenectady was a great success. Thanks to everyone who participated and attended!

Buy Local Bash 2008

On November 15, 2008, CDLF held the 2008 Buy Local Bash, hosted by the Sanctuary for Independent Media.  The event was a smashing success with hundreds of people in attendance and coverage by several media outlets.  Over 25 locally owned businesses displayed their products and services in a vendor fair. Attendees won  gift certificates, gift baskets, movie tickets, locally brewed beer, and other door prizes.  The Bash rocked to live music by Ashley Pond, Ben Karis-Nix, Amanda Rogers, and Home Spun Occasions. 

The keynote speaker was Laury Hammel, author of "Growing Local Value - How to Build Business Partnerships that Strengthen Your Community." Hammel founded and grew The Longfellow Clubs, currently the 54th largest health club business in the US, with $16 million in revenues. He is a recognized industry leader in innovative business practices, social responsibility and community service. Among his other accomplishments, Hammel is a founder of New England Businesses for Social Responsibility (NEBSR); Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a national organization; the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN); and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Hammel has also been very active in the areas of energy conservation and environmentalism, with a particular interest in the sustainability of businesses.

Thanks to everyone who made the Bash a success!

Stacy Mitchell

On September 18, 2008, Stacy Mitchell, acclaimed author of Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses spoke about her book and work with the New Rules Project, a program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The event was held at the Guilderland Public Library.  We thank Stacy for joining us and sharing her ideas on strengthening the local economy.