Hello Everyone!
I sent an e-mail to everyone letting you all know that we are still taking new members (and that you and your referral who signs up can receive a $25 credit). A couple people pointed out that my links were a bit wonky. If you want to refer people to the registration page then use this: https://www.harvie.farm/farm/fifth-crow-farm/signup. Information about our CSA (slightly outdated as we haven't had time to update the locations listed) can be found here: https://fifthcrowfarm.com/csa/ . PS Flower Share holders. If you received a bouquet last week, you'll be getting 3 bunches of lavender. If you got lavender, this week's flower share should be a bouquet. Just a quick FYI in case you are ordering other flowers.
Re-usables Update: Thank you to all of you who have been bringing back the reusable mesh bags. Hoping this works as a way of reducing plastic bags. We've also switched to paperboard clamshells in response to feedback from last year. These clamshells are supposedly recyclable or at least compostable if they're too dirty to recycle, but they also cost $.50 instead of $.10 and have more venting. I'm telling you this in part because I'm sure you've noticed prices are up here and there and wanted you to know that we are trying to respond to your requests for more sustainable packaging, but it does have a cost. Also we are a bit worried that the increased venting may be leading to your berries not keeping as well. If you were a member last year please do let me know what you think of the cardboard clamshells. We'll do a more thorough survey at the end of the year, but if you are noticing issues we'd like to know sooner than later :)
Increasing Prices and Costs: We're sure you've noticed some prices going up. We're all feeling the pinch of inflation, but this year is a super whammy for the farm. As we all know fuel is twice the cost of last year, on average agricultural inputs are predicted to be 15-20% higher, but we're seeing general supplies and expenses up even higher than that. In addition this year our farm is having to switch to overtime after 8 hours instead of 10. Our farm has always operated with a 4-5 day/week and 8 hour day schedule for the Winter, but a 5-6 day a week and 10 hour a day schedule during the summer. This means with 25 employees or so we would lose 50 man hours a day, but due to rising wages and inflation, we need to make the same or more. We've decided (as more experienced farmworkers just aren't around) to pay everyone an hour of overtime a day. That still means needing to figure out how to earn more with less hours worked. For many products we grow, we haven't raised prices in 5-10 years. We are trying to buffer raising prices because we know that increased costs make us less competitive and may lead our customers elsewhere, but sadly we aren't going to be able to manage without raising prices. Thanks for hanging in there with us, we know you can go elsewhere with your food dollars.
RECIPE CORNER:
Fellow CSA Member Jill wants to share this recipe for Crispy Turnip (and other greens) tops , which is a huge hit in her house. (It's a great way to keep more of the food you're buying from going waste)
Check it out here: https://www.forkintheroad.co/crispy-baked-turnip-tops/#recipe
Have a great week and Bon Appetit!
Teresa and the rest of the team here at Fifth Crow
