Week 6. Six weeks doesn’t sound like a long time when you say it, but depending on what you are doing for that amount of time, it can feel like a really long time. I look back at what was happening 6 weeks ago on the farm and it feels like a whole lifetime ago… and we have seen a number of plantings grow, mature, and get terminated by now…so for some of the plants it was a lifetime. As a farmer, a big part of my job is to be present and aware of these natural cycles throughout the season and react or plan accordingly.
If you follow us on social media, you may have noticed that we picked our first ripe tomato this week. Although I don’t expect to have enough ripe ones to start offering them for CSA, I will start bringing what I have to the market at South Shore this week. I might have about a crate of them this week. Nonetheless, the first ripe tomato is always a midsummer benchmark. Many of us look forward to these fruits all year, and we usually get about 2 months of them to enjoy before they check out for another season.
If you haven’t noticed, we have a public online store open this year. What does that mean? It means that even non-members can order some items from us and pick-up at our CSA drop-sites. Although the bulk of our produce goes to members and the farmers market, if we have excess above and beyond that, we offer it in the public store. We also offer many of our non-perishable items and meats. If you have friends that are curious about our farm, this is a great way to “sample” how things work before committing to a membership. Feel free to share your order link with your non-member friends, or refer them to our website’s online orders tab. You can also give them a $5 coupon code that only members know about. Tell them to use coupon code: FRIENDTOLDME5 to save $5 on their first order.
A Few Things:
- IN SUMMARY: Time feels different depending on your perspective. Observing it in a cyclical way helps a farmer keep track of patterns throughout the season. Follow us on social media for great photos and real time updates. Feel free to tell friends how they can try out the farm, even if they are not members.
- SHORT DATE MEAT SALE: We find ourselves long on some of the less common/popular cuts right now, especially in beef. We are having a SHORT DATE SALE this July. These are going to be 10 to 14 months old cuts.
- CROP HIGHLIGHT: Celery. Farm grown celery is so different from what you find in the store. Although it can be a little more fibrous, the flavor is markedly more intense. I love using our celery in soups and salads. I like to cook a whole chicken in my instant pot and then use the meat in things like chicken salad (with our fresh celery in it). Or, maybe make some Kung pao chicken with it (also great with our celery).
- ORGANIC BLUEBERRIES: Sounds like they might be a little later than normal this year, but Better Way Farm still plans to get us a load of them…probably late July, or maybe early August this year. I know you all look forward to these, so I will keep you informed as I know more.
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