On June 23rd The National Association of Realtors announced a partnership with ?Food Recovery Network to combat hunger during the 2021 NAR Presidents Circle Conference, as well as, upcoming events and meetings.? ??Food Recovery Network is a non-profit that unites 4000 college students with food suppliers and businesses to recover perishable? food, that would otherwise go to waste, and donate to over 350 partners who feed people in need.? In 2020 FRN donated over 800,000? meals.?

NAR will invite the 1200 state and local Realtor associations to participate.? With over 1.4 million members nationwide, NAR’s partnership with Food Recover Network will be critical in helping FRN continue to address food hunger and food waste recovery.

All Garden Valley Properties agent are members of the National Associate of Realtors.? Giving back to our communities is what we do!

Want to know more about what you can do to help in the Garden Valley Community?? Contact Garden Valley Properties at 208-462-4620

Want to know how you are doing with food waste?? Take the Challenge! 

GET SMART: TAKE THE CHALLENGE

KEEP GOOD FOOD FROM GOING TO WASTE

WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?

Did you know that in 2013 Americans threw 35 million tons of food into landfills and incinerators? Research

shows that nearly everyone wastes more than they think they do. The?Food: Too Good to Waste?Challenge

will help you figure out how much food is really going to waste in your home and what you can do to waste

less. By making small shifts in how you shop for, prepare, and store food, you can save time and money, and

keep the valuable resources used to produce and distribute food from going to waste!

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

You only need a few basic tools to get started, which include 1) a pen/pencil, 2) paper or printed worksheets,

3) small garbage bags, and 4) a small scale (optional).

GET SMART: SEE HOW MUCH FOOD (AND MONEY) YOU ARE REALLY THROWING AWAY

WEEKS 1 & 2: Measure how much food your family wastes in a week and record the volume and/or weight.

WEEKS 3 through 5: Try out one or more of the smart strategies listed below while continuing to measure how

much goes to waste each week. Keep notes on what works to reduce food waste and what doesn’t.

· Smart Shopping: Buy What You Need?– Make a shopping list with the Meals-In-Mind Shopping List

template based on how many meals you expect to eat at home before your next shopping trip. By

buying no more than what you expect to use, you will be more likely to use it up and keep it fresh.

· Smart Storage: Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh?– Store produce so it stays fresh longer with the help

of the Fruits and Vegetable Storage Guide.

· Smart Prep: Prep Now, Eat Later?– By preparing perishable foods as soon as possible, preferably post

shopping, you’ll make it easier to serve snacks and meals later in the week, saving time, effort and

money.

· Smart Saving: Eat What You Buy?– This involves being mindful of leftovers and old ingredients that

need using up. The “Eat First” prompt can be used to designate an area in your refrigerator for

leftovers and food that won’t keep long.

Week 6: Measure and record your final weekly food waste amount. See how much food (and money) you

saved compared to weeks one and two.

GET READY

You can find all the printed materials you need to take the FTGTW Challenge available for download at

http://www2.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food

They include:

· This instruction sheet which includes the recording worksheet.

· Meals in Mind Shopping List Template

· Fruit and Vegetable Storage Guide

· Eat Me First Prompt

TIPS FOR TAKING THE CHALLENGE

1. Explain the challenge to members of your household/community and ask for their participation.

2. At the start of each week, line one paper bag with a green compostable bag. Over the course of the

week, place all your PREVENTABLE food waste into the bag. Discard NON-EDIBLE food in the usual

manner. (PREVENTABLE food waste is both food you bought to eat but has since spoiled and food that

was prepared but not eaten and was then thrown away. NON-EDIBLE food waste is everything you

wouldn’t normally eat, such as banana peels, egg shells, apple cores and chicken bones.)

3. At the end of each week, measure both the weight and the volume of food waste in the bag. Record

both the volume and the weight for the week on the attached worksheet. Once you get started, it

should take no more than 15 minutes a week to measure and record your food waste.

4. If the bag fills before the end of seven days, weigh or record the volume of the full bag and record how

many days you collected food in that bag. Then begin collection in a new bag. At the end of the week,

total your weight and/or volume of food waste for the entire week.

5. After you record the weight and volume of food wasted for the week, dispose of the collection bag,

including food, appropriately and as acceptable for your collection service, by composting, through

organics collection or in the garbage.

6. Except for the new strategies you try starting in week 3, keep to your usual routine as much as possible

during the challenge. For example, unless you regularly clean out your freezer, do not clean it

throughout the challenge.

7. At the end of week 6, compare your totals for weeks 1 and 2 to weeks 3 through 6 and see how much

food you saved from going to waste! Many families have reduced their food waste by 25% or more.

ADDITIONAL WASTE COLLECTION TIPS:

· If you are concerned about leakage, then you might use a plastic bag as a second liner.

· If concerned about odor, you can clip the top of the bag shut; or you can start using a new bag midweek,

as long as you track the total volume of waste for the whole week.

· Do not collect liquid waste such as soup or food-soiled paper products.

AFTER THE CHALLENGE

Once you’ve completed the challenge, share your successes and lessons learned with other individuals or

organizations who may be interested in reducing wasted food.

For more information on sustainable management of food, please visit

http://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food

TAKE THE CHALLENGE:

KEEP GOOD FOOD FROM GOING TO WASTE

WEEK 3 NOTES (WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T)

Start Date: ____________ Day of Week: ____________ ________________________________________

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight ________________________________________

______ # of days collected ________________________________________

WEEK 4 NOTES (WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T)

Start Date: ____________ Day of Week: ____________ ________________________________________

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight ________________________________________

______ # of days collected ________________________________________

WEEK 5 NOTES (WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T)

Start Date: ____________ Day of Week: ____________ ________________________________________

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight ________________________________________

______ # of days collected ________________________________________

WEEK 6 NOTES (WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T)

Start Date: ____________ Day of Week: ____________ ________________________________________

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight ________________________________________

______ # of days collected ________________________________________

Totals – Weeks 3 through 6 Averages – Weeks 3 through 6

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight Total Volume ÷ 4 = ______ Total Weight ÷ 4 = ______

RECORDING WORKSHEET

WEEK 1 NOTES (WHAT GOES TO WASTE AND WHY)

Start Date: ____________ Day of Week: ____________ ________________________________________

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight ________________________________________

______ # of days collected ________________________________________

WEEK 2 NOTES (WHAT GOES TO WASTE AND WHY)

Start Date: ____________ Day of Week: ____________ ________________________________________

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight ________________________________________

______ # of days collected ________________________________________

Totals – Weeks 1 and 2 Averages – Weeks 1 and 2

______ Bag Volume ______ Weight Total Volume ÷ 2 = ______ Total Weight ÷ 2 = ______

?

Housing trends are pointing to smaller spaces soon becoming the norm for the homes of the future. Soon gone by are the days of sprawling opulent great rooms and extra formal dining rooms, but that doesn't mean you have to enjoy less home. In fact,you may already be in a smaller home and loving that great things come in small packages. Either way we've put together some great tips to help you make the most of your storage situation in order to get more space! These tips on storage are simple to incorporate and won't break the bank!

Organize and Declutter.
Your home likely already has more room than you would think, but you may not be making the most of that space. Start simple: go through your things and decide what you really need. It may be time to file away those old documents or use organizers to get your closets in line. Look at your items and ask yourself: have I used (or even seen) this object in the last 5 years? If not, it may be time for it to go.

Bunk up!
By adding a platform to your bed rather than the normal frame you can add a ton of extra room under the space where you sleep. If you don't want to get rid of your frame you can even just make use of the storage there by getting short storage boxes for easy slide-in storing. Kids rooms? Save floor space by getting bunk beds for the kids! They'll love having all the extra room to play.

Shoe organizers.
Not just for shoes anymore! Hang them on the back of the pantry door to store tube shaped, or smaller pantry goods. They also work well in any closet for catch-all items; will definitely help you free up a little drawer space.

Ceiling to floor.
Your average store bought book shelf only goes so far - that is to say about 6 feet tall. Consider building or hiring someone to build full length wall shelving for you. Perfect for offices or living rooms, having that extra top shelf storage will give you a place to showcase items that aren't necessarily used often.

Crouch has long been known for our 4th of July Celebration! 

We love where we live and play and it shows!

This video is what made us famous. 

We no longer light fireworks off in town, but we still have fun and come together to celebrate as a community.   Remember, if you are coming to visit, FIREWORKS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE NAT’L FOREST OR IN ANY OF THE SUBDIVISIONS.  We don’t want our community to burn, so please be respectful of the rules.   We have a designated area at the arena for lighting off fireworks and ask for a contribution to help cover the costs of insurance.  

Here’s a look at this year’s schedule:

JULY 3rd

WHEN:  Saturday, July 3rd, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wolverines on Wheels are hosting a run, hike, walk or bike trail event

WHAT:  SCHOOLHOUSE SCRAMBLE!!  Hike, run or mountain bike at Schoolhouse Gulch in search of letters posted randomly along the trails.  Once you have found all the letters, unscramble the secret word; the fastest time wins!  Free to anyone, individuals or teams welcome.

WHERE:  Schoolhouse Gulch Trails, ½ mile East of Chevron on Banks-Lowman Rd.

JULY 4TH 

• Flag Raising ceremony 8 AM Weilmunster Park
• EMT Benefit Scramble, Cart Decorating Competition & Silent Auction at Terrace Lakes 8AM – EMT’s Biggest Fund Raiser
• Breakfast fundraiser at the Senior Center
• Duck Race – 4 PM Fundraiser to help pay for the fireworks
• Dry/Wet Parade (contact Holly Cadotte to sign up to participate – 6PM DRY PARADE followed by the WET PARADE - downtown Crouch.
• Fireworks in Weilmunster Park - DUSK

And of course, there is always floating the Middle Fork of the Payette to keep cool!

And don’t forget to check us out at www.gardenvalleyproperties.com or call us at 208.462.4620

When was the last time you had to buy a new mattress? I recently had to purchase a new mattress and was not prepared for what was out there. Granted there are mattress companies on every street corner in Boise, so you would think it would be easy. It is not like buying a car . . . or is it?

Here are the factors you should consider when you’re shopping for a perfect night’s sleep.

Mattress construction: The most popular mattress types are inner spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and adjustable air mattresses. Each has pros and cons when it comes to durability and comfort customization.

Firmness: Mattress firmness plays a huge role in the quality of your sleep. Mattresses that are too firm or too soft can cause aches and pains, so it‘s recommended that you test a mattress for 10- to 15 minutes in store before making a purchase.

Sleeping position: Your mattress should match your sleeping style (side, back, face-down, etc.). You want a mattress that keeps your spine in proper alignment. For example, some mattresses are better for side sleepers, while others are better for back sleepers.

Size: It’s not quite as simple as choosing between a king and a queen mattress. You should also consider your height, as some mattresses are a better fit for shorter people while tall people will want a longer mattress so their limbs aren’t hanging over the edge of the bed.

Stability: For couples, you should consider how the mattress reacts when one person moves, so the other person’s sleep isn’t disturbed in the middle of the night.

We ended up buying an adjustable bed that has two separate mattresses at a cost more than my first car! Of course, it’s back ordered for a month. So, I guess we must put up with each other’s snoring for a little longer.

With Garden Valley being only 1 hour from Boise most furniture companies will deliver. So, if you are looking for a place to put your new bed check out our website at www.gardenvalleyproperties.com to find that perfect cabin of your dreams.

Idaho has its fair share of well known attractions, renowned landmarks, and classic summer activities, but summer in Garden Valley is in a league all it’s own.  Summer should be a time of exploration and adventure, as well as relaxation, so if you’re looking for something unique to do this summer in the Garden Valley, be sure to add the following attractions and activities to your bucket list:

·    Take in a top-notch show under the stars at the Starlight Mountain Theater.  Their schedule can be found at the Starlight Mountain Theater website! (starlightmt.com)

·    Explore the historic city of Crouch.  Just a short drive down Middlefork rd has long been the center of commerce for the valley.  The charming wooden rustic town center has a variety of food and gift establishments.  

·    Hit the water!  The Payette River system offers whitewater classifications from I-IV.  A number of commercial outfitters in the area offer full and half day trips that are sure to satisfy even the biggest thrill seekers.  

·    Float the Middlefork.  If you are looking for a more relaxing water experience grab your tubes and enjoy the lazy float down the Middlefork of the Payette River ending right in the middle of town.  

·    Get on the trail.  Garden Valley offers numerous trails full of gorgeous scenery and sweat breaking landscapes.  Whether you are looking for hiking, biking or off roading it’s all here.  You can find more info on the trail systems at the Garden Valley Chamber website. Attractions  &  Map - Garden Valley Chamber (gvchamber.org)

Come be a part of the summer fun here in Garden Valley!  Check out the Garden Valley Chamber website for all of the events and happenings in the area or just stop on by the Garden Valley Properties office and we’d be happy to give you some suggestions on how to enjoy this beautiful place!

Home - Garden Valley Chamber (gvchamber.org)

GARDEN VALLEY PROPERTIES - Idaho Mountain Living and More!