Well geez, where has all the time gone?
Nearing the halfway point of the CSA "main season," we were once again met with some strange, chilly August weather. On a week that should have caused much sweating and water bottle chugging, I was forced to pull on my trusty grey sweater, wrapping up in a layer that should be out of character this time of the year. The cold did what it does best: it slowed me down, drawing me into a state of recollection, pulling me into the present moment, where I had no choice but to face some of the greater questions in life. Such as…
"Wait, how long have we been doing this for?"
I guess we’ve been all wrapped up in the farm season, because in case you missed it, we’re about half way there! That’s right, folks, the farm season has a lifespan. And I guess week twelve is for things wrapping up, because there have been all sorts of loose ends being tied up this week. Woohoo!
Fall crops are on the way! As of this week, we’re about half way done planting the fall crop of Napa cabbage, and I am told that Farmer Zach has put the last of the beets and carrots in the ground for this year's growing season. Don’t worry, we’ve got consistent weekly crops of carrots coming at you each and every week. There will always be carrots available on Hawkins Farm, if Zach Hawkins has anything to say about it.
Don’t forget the potatoes! This week we harvested the remaining three beds of our Red Gold potatoes, meaning that we will have some new varieties for you to snatch up in your cart in the coming weeks. And these aren’t the only new varieties to keep in mind! Each growing season offers all sorts of fruits and veggies that are only in season at specific points in the year. So make sure you check out that “what’s new” page each week when you are filling ups your carts.
As for the farmers on the farm, you could say that there have certainly been some big wrap ups.
Farmer Erin is back from her vacation in Guatemala! We were grateful (and surprised) to find Erin at the Thursday pack, where she jumped right back into her role as a bin packer, not hesitating to show us all of her fun pictures during snack time. Woohoo!
Farmer Jeff has an annual trip this weekend to Michigan, and should be followed closely by Farmer Zach next weekend. Anyone who has gone on a trip knows that life doesn’t just stop when you want to get away and take some time to relax for a minute--especially on the farm--so you might have seen Jeff scurrying around to get a big list squared away before all the weekend hangs. Wouldn’t you believe it, he still made time to feed us twice this week. Woohoo!
Farmer Michael had his final full harvest week, but will still be able to help out on the Wednesday pack! Michael has been with the farm for a few years, and made a ginormous sacrifice to stick around while Erin was away to keep things afloat. He’ll continue to keep the CSA process rolling as the Wednesday packaging day facilitator alongside Katie Jo and Tim, or Tara, or whoever volunteers their time that particular day. Woohoo! Speaking of Katie Jo, who is also our resident pizza builder...
Pizza night will be wrapping up for the season before you know it! I know, so soon? After we take a break next week from Friday pizza night, we will have five pizza nights left in the season. That means that you have only five nights next month to bring all of your friends out to have a fun, adventurous pizza night that will surely create memories to last a lifetime. You can expect to find the famous breakfast pizza as the Harvest-of-the-Week special come September 1st, along with a different dessert pizza on each week's menu. How’s that for wrapping up a season?
In other behind the scenes farm news, next week will mark the end of an era. We’re wrapping up a long time run with a bin cooling method that has since been improved upon.
Ice packs! In order to keep your groceries nice and cool throughout the entire duration of the delivery process, we place a freshly frozen ice pack in each and every bin to keep your veggies fresh until you can get your hands on them. We’re still using ice packs, just… different ones. Ice packs that stay frozen longer and are far easier to clean each week. It’s a win/win! Woohoo!
So, that’s a wrap on that process, but it won’t be the last. We’re always thinking of ways to improve upon this fun farm-to-your-front-door experience.
-Alex
