Propagation begins in earnest next week, and we still need to accomplish infrastructure improvements in the nursery before that flurry of activity begins! We'll start the long term sweet potato slips and short term Microgreens this week, and I'm waiting for the disease test results from a lab in Hawaii on our Ginger and Turmeric orders. As an organic grower, it is critical that these tubers arrive virus free!
The freedom and joy that comes with growing great, chemical free food, also comes with a heavy burden of responsibility. Even in the winter months, for example, Baby Lettuce must be cooled for 3 hours after harvest before we can wash, spin dry, and package for distribution, to meet Food Safety Standards. My goal is to prepare all of our fresh produce for the Markets within 24 hours of delivery, and this is a very short and busy window. We don't stockpile our coolers with extra product and sometimes cannot honor late orders for that reason.
On the other hand, our end products contain no shelf extension, chemical preservatives, like the grocery stores must do. That is a main difference between us, and I am very proud of that distinction. Oh, yes and I have a Food Safety Audit coming next month!
This week I am at the Family Fare parking lot in Eaton Rapids on Wednesday, at 12:00 noon and the Allen Street Farmers Market after that, 3:00-6:00. Thursday afternoon is farm pickup and scheduled home deliveries. Saturday I am at the parking lot behind Flour Child Bakery in Grand Ledge, 11:00-12:00 noon, and finish up any missed deliveries after that. Note that the Harvie CSA menu will be a little different than the attached; I hope to see you soon! Also, the CSA Menu for our Saturday Members is published Tuesday morning!
