The Latest Farming News

Believe it or not, I am a huge food lover. Foodie. Food dork. Call me whatever you will, but food shapes my life. I look forward to seasons like I look forward to vacations; seasons are burned into my mental calendar. I know that like any good papa bear, I am supposed to love all of my cubs the same. And I do love the flavors of all the seasons, but July is my absolute favorite. No disputing that and no apologies.

One thing that I have seen over and over in the marketplace is that nothing ever stays the same. Not so long ago, Blockbuster Video had an entire College Football Bowl game named after them, fast forward 10 years and kids these days will never step foot in a video store their entire lives. Businesses have to be thinking about what is coming around the bend or they will end up a speed bump to the speeding semi truck that we call Progress. Demands change, lives change, and so businesses have to change in order to be relevant as calendar pages turn.

So believe it or not, we are steaming into June. I don’t know about you, but the this year feels like it is flying by for me. But before we get off on a tangent about years, calendars and the meaning of life, let’s keep it simple and talk food.

Lots of really amazing produce items for you this week. Melons, tomatoes, greens, roots, avocados, and some wonderful citrus. So good. Put your water wings on and dive in.

Let’s look at a few quick things here this week. Strawberries. We will finally start to see more berries hitting the scene. I always look forward to the berry season, but at the same time I hate being the first one at the party. The start of strawberry season usually is filled with colorful fruit but lacking in flavor. Growers fight so hard to extend their berry seasons, but flavor is usually sacrificed. So we sit back in the dugout and wait for our time. And this week begins “our time.” Look for berries to be around into June.

And with the snap of your fingers, April is here. Just standing on the doorstep of some warm weather, sunshine, and of course, windy afternoons. So let’s look at what this spring has in store for us and at a few new partners we added in March.

Oh the first week of March. What a time. There always seems to be such a strong sense of optimism in the air at the beginning of March. I am sure it is just the promise of spring, but it means a lot more than that to me.

Asparagus. Lovingly referred to in the produce world as “grass.” Although I do not recall seeing any college kid walking around wearing a “Legalize Asparagus” T-shirt. Maybe we should start that fashion line?? Anyway…asparagus gets its nickname because it grows like a grass. Tender spears will emerge from the dormant soil and before they get too tall (and woody) the farmer cuts them off just below the soil.

OK, so I have to tell you that the best way that I have found to find direction in our business is by listening to our members. I know that Steve Jobs was famous for thinking that you have to “out-think” your customers, but I find it a lot easier to just listen to you. With that preface, let’s jump into a change that we will be implementing here moving forward.