What To Expect at EcoFest 2024 In Tampa

Earth Day is here and there is no better way to celebrate Mother Earth than at the 14th Annual EcoFest.  EcoFest 2024 will be held on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry(MOSI) on Fowler Ave. in Tampa on Saturday, April 20 from 10a-3p.  It is a totally free event with safe, friendly, family fun for everyone.

EcoFest 2024 has partnered to be the Official Earth Day Event for the City of Tampa and the University of South Florida. This year's event will be bigger and better than ever! There will be tons of various vendors and a bunch of food trucks on hand.

2024 will be the 54th year the United States recognizes Earth Day.  It all started when then-Senator Gaylord Nelson, the junior senator from Wisconsin,  led the effort for an “Earth Day” to draw attention to environmental issues that the United States and the world were facing.  The first Earth Day was held on April of 1970, thus giving birth to the modern environmentalist movement.

In Tampa, EcoFest is presented by Learning Gate Community School in North Tampa. Michele Northrup, the Develop Director at Learning Gate Community School says “Learning Gate Community School is excited to partner again with MOSI to celebrate Earth Day Tampa Bay at Ecofest! We hope to inspire attendees to make eco-friendly choices and develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations.”

According to Northrup and Tampa.Gov,  “EcoFest is dedicated to the principles of Sustainability, Ecology, Equity, and Economy”. This year's EcoFest event promises live music and entertainment, demonstrations, informational booths, and green living products.

But, local vendors aren't all you'll see. There will be organic farms and gardens with fresh produce, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, and various green businesses on hand.

This year's booth from Learning Gate Community School for EcoFest 2024 will be quite different. It will highlight their solar power station project, aimed at keeping the school’s chickens and bunnies cool this summer and storing their seeds in a refrigerator to prevent mold.

Learning Gate Community School is currently seeking local support to make this project a reality.   “At our booth students will demonstrate solar power using their hand-built solar cars and solar ovens, showcase solar shed designs, and provide a shopping list of the components needed for the solar power station.” Said Northrup.

Visitors can also view videos and photos of students building and using their solar cars and ovens, and students will be available to explain the project in detail.  Join us in promoting sustainable energy solutions at Ecofest.

For more information: Email ecofest@learninggate.org or call (813)948-4190 extension 313 or check out the event on Facebook 

We all know how much America loves meat. If you aren't grilling burgers out back every weekend, what're you doing?  Here are The 5 Best Butcher Shops In Tampa Bay that are perfect for your next grill-out.

With beef prices up 30% higher than they were back in 2020. Pork chop prices are 27% higher than they were in 2020. And, chicken prices are 45% up from what they were before 2020. It is easy to understand why people are looking to big box stores like Walmart and Target over their local butcher. But, are you sacrificing quality for price? 

I'll be honest Laura's lean beef at Target is a solid budget option that is clean, tastes good, and comes in at a good price per pound, but the quality still isn't there. Sure, if you're looking to save on meat every week, big box stores are a solid option, but if you're looking to cook a couple of quality steaks to fuel your next grillout, Butchers are the way to go. Their quality is unmatched and you know you're getting a high-quality cut from a local source, every time.

Butcher Shops have many advantages over the common supermarket beef options. The first and most important is meat freshness. With butcher shops sourcing from local suppliers, you’ll be getting a fresher product every time.

Another reason to choose a local butcher shop is for their expertise and available cuts. They have spent years learning their craft to deliver the best product for your specific needs. Butchers tend to have a lot more options with their cuts and help you find the proper way to prepare your meat for the best results.

Local butchers live within your community. When you visit and buy locally, you’re not only sporting the people in your community but also the farmers, fishermen, and sources throughout the state. These butchers join in on local initiatives like sports teams and events to help keep the money within the community.

Apollo Meats has no shortage of meat options. From the classics like beef, pork, and lamb, to exotics like goat, gator meat, seafood and much more, Apollo Meats brings the full-service meat market with an old-fashioned atmosphere. They offer kabobs, seasoned baby back ribs, prime rib roast,  buffalo, double smoked bacon, natural casing franks, Boars head lunch meats, Alaskan crab legs, and more. Apollo Meats is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM - 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM  - 5 PM.

The Boozy Pig has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google with 310 Google reviews. They are a butcher shop and kitchen with charcuterie and various types of meat sourced directly from farmers, ranchers, and fishermen in Florida.  They are open Wednesday - Friday from 11 AM - 6 PM. Saturday from 9 AM - 6 PM and Sunday 9 AM - 3 PM.

The Heights Meat Market has 4 locations across the Tampa Bay area.  They carry a wide range of meats from Wagyu to Kangaroo. Their website says, "Since 2018, we have set the standard for providing superior quality meats and customer service to our local neighborhoods. From the farm to your table, our commitment to taste is true."

John's Butcher Shop has a 4.8 rating on Google with 134 total reviews. They do not have a website or an official social media page, but rest assured they are open for business. One Google reviewer recently said, "I am a Pennsylvania farm boy and transplant and I know quality meat. My new go-to place for great personal service and meat is John’s. Perfect quality cut custom meats. Freshness you can see and smell way above big box stores like Publix or Winn-Dixie. I can highly recommend John’s Butcher Shop." John's is located a 102 1st Ave SW in Lutz. You can give them a call for more information at 813-909-9746.

Quality Meat Market is another hot option coming in at 308 total Google reviews with a 4.7 average star rating. Located right near the Seminole Hard Rock, QMM has over 50 year of experience bringing fresh meats to the people of Tampa Bay. They offer family deals, bargain buys, and even meats for your pets.  They are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM - 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM - 5:30 PM.