Hello,
Week 13. As we say goodbye to the craziness of August, September pretty much insists that we start to take it down a notch. Even though we stay busy, it is a different kind of hustle and bustle this time of year. The fall season is right around the corner and nature starts to slow down. Plants grow more slowly, there is noticeably less sunlight, temps start dropping, and fewer weeds grow. We are nearly done with all of the seeding except for a couple of final winter items, like lettuce and spinach that will end up in the hoophouse. Many of the items we offer will be coming from storage crops in the final weeks of CSA. Our daily to-do list, while still long, changes.
We will start harvesting winter squash, dig the rest of the potatoes, and start prepping the fields for fall. We will remove debris from long standing plantings like the squash, tear down spent cucumbers, and start removing tomato plants. Cover crops will start going in. We start to watch the weather for nighttime temps. Will we dip below 32 degrees? Do we need to cover anything to protect it? The deer pressure goes up in the fields (they took out 1/2 of our chard bed this last week). Those guys get hungry. Their bodies know…..WINTER IS COMING. (Better use those credits folks).
My goal is to have the winter program ready for you to sign up by mid-month. It is a great way to extend your season. We run it from November through February. It runs similarly to the summer program; in that we take orders each week through FarmMatch. We would love to deliver winter goods to your place so you can “Feel Good About What You EAT” all winter long.
Thanks,
A Few Things:
- IN SUMMARY: We took a week off from the normal routine, did fun things, relaxed, and got two new CATS! But, we are back at it with 8 deliveries left after this week and the late summer and fall crops are starting to show up. Make sure to use your credits.
- MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The final summer CSA delivery/pick-up is October24th and 25th. Get ready to sign up for our Winter program to extend your season through the end of February….coming soon.
- USE YOUR CREDITS NOW: Remember credits go away at the end of October, so you have to use them. Selection might go down and limits increase this time of year, so ordering weekly gets the best results. Stocking up with really big orders is hard for our small farm to accommodate. It makes inventory control a challenge and puts strain on our delivery driver (who has both space and time limits on a given delivery day). Our program is designed to provide our members food on a regular basis over about 20 weeks.
- Napa Cabbage Salad: Folks often look at a napa cabbage with confusion, asking what to do with it. This cabbage is great because it can be cooked in stir-fry or soups, but is also tender enough for a simple raw salad, like this one. Or, get a little fancier and make a Chinese chicken napa salad. Here is a fun way to roast it as a yummy side dish.
- Bushel & Peck’s: We are working with these folks to provide a few new products from the local and delicious world. Find their store in Beloit, WI, and their farm in Monroe, WI. I am most excited about their kraut.
LETS ORDER
Go to https://www.farmmatch.com/lotfotl
- HOW TO ORDER: (STORE OPENS AT NOON)
- Go to https://www.farmmatch.com/lotfotl
- Login
- IMPORTANT: Make sure that you have selected the correct location AND refreshed your browser page.
- Confirm that your credits have been issued to your account.
- Place your order following the order parameters:
~~Minimum total order of $40.
~~Maximum total order of $250.
~~Limit $200 on meat per week.
~~ Use all of your credits by the October 25th delivery.
- IMPORTANT: You must get a confirmation receipt email detailing your order. If you don’t, you did not complete your order correctly. Always review the email, to make sure the information is correct, especially the LOCATION.
- Thank you for understanding that we are not able to process late orders.
- Order on weeks that work for you, skip the ones that don’t.
- Final order of the season: When you use the last of your credits for the season, your credit card on file will be charged for any amount due. You will then have access to a limited menu for the remainder of the season.
HACKS AND ORDERING TRICKS:
- If the product selection is not display in organized groups, you are likely in the “Previously Ordered” section. Scroll down to all products and it will be easier to navigate. You can always X out these items each week to keep this section manageable.
- If products have a locked sign on them, you likely need to change your pick-up location. Click on the lock to see where this item is available.
- If you cannot see products, contact the farm.
- As a member with credits, when you place your order, FarmMatch will tell you it is going to charge your credit card, because that is what it is programmed to do, as most farms are not issuing credits at the beginning of the season like we are. They are just selling outright to their customers. The program will apply your credits first, making your total due $0. So, your card will get charged $0 each week, up until you have used up all your credits.
RECEIVING AND/OR PICKING UP YOUR ORDER:
- IN PERSON PICK-UP
- LOTFOTL – Watch your step as you enter the barn. This is a self-serve pick-up. Remember to check the cooler for your frozen items. Items are in the cubby shelf off to the right as you enter the building.
- HOME DELIVERY
- Remember drivers are instructed NOT to leave food if there is not a container.
- Watch for a text after delivery has occurred.
- If you don’t have food by 6pm, call or text us right away. Time is of the essence.
We are always happy to help. Contact us with questions. 920-318-3800. Texting will get you the fastest response.
With Gratitude,
Your Farmers