Don’t Despair about Your Share!
This time of the year isn’t very abundant in the fresh produce department, so now is the time to explore the wonderful world of “value-added foods” we offer from the area. This utterly unappetizing term is the industry name used for all the lovely produce that has been processed and canned or frozen or dried for our winter shares. From frozen sauces, pastas, pizzas and strawberries, to dried tomatoes and mushrooms, to canned fruit and vegetables, apple syrup, mustards and more, we make it easy to eat locally all year long.
Although the industrial food system’s interpretation of value-added foods include horrifying, highly-processed Frankenfoods with long lists of unidentifiable ingredients, we work hard to make sure you’re getting real food, with minimal processing and no scary ingredients.
Although we hope everyone will try all the delicious items we put in the share before trading sight unseen (or taste untested), don’t despair about wanting to make trades. We created our program to allow you to get the foods your family will eat, while still helping our farmers make a living throughout the lean winter months. We try to vary the items that we put in each group, but it can be tricky tracking odd- versus even-week shares, especially when a change makes last minute adjustments necessary, so we’re more concerned with making sure to put the right value in, to make sure everyone gets their fair share.
We’ve paid for a lot of our winter share items already, which is why we require a minimum credit balance on everyone’s account. We appreciate everyone sticking it out through the winter–it’s difficult for small farmers to make a full year’s living with only summer produce sales. Thanks for helping us make a difference and keep our farmers in business. Be sure to share your yummy goodies with others and spread the good word on the value in eating healthy, locally-produced food all year!