Spoiler Alert!

Welcome to the second week of June! Here at the farm, we’re gearing up for the cherry harvest. Mid June is time for sweet cherries. Later this month, tart cherries will be ready to roll. Due to the frosts this spring, we will have our cherries pre-picked in the market to sell. There will not be enough for the pick-your-own season. Mark your calendars; sweet cherries are expected around June 10 and tart cherries should be here by June 20.

 Get ready to chomp on cherries!

$6.75/quart   $3.49/pint   $47.99/8 quart flat

How do you use our produce?

From spring through summer and early fall, our fields and market are filled with farm-fresh goodness—berries, fruit, and select veggies. Do you gobble up your stash in one sitting, or do you pace yourself to make it last longer? While we know our goodies—the juicy fruits especially—are hard to resist, we figure you occasionally end up with leftovers. If you use the appropriate methods, you can keep your produce from spoiling too quickly.

When you buy produce, it’s good to plan ahead how you’ll use it. This way, you can use the most perishable items first. With the items that last longer, you have more freedom with usage. So, for example, if you decide you don’t want sweet potatoes for dinner Wednesday, you’re in the clear because sweet potatoes last a long time.

 

All fruits and veggies aren’t created equal in terms of how long they’ll last. Storage method affects spoilage rate. Some fruits and veggies thrive in cool, dry areas, like the fridge or a dark cabinet, while others need to be kept at room temperature. Then there’s something called ethyline gas, which is emitted by some types of produce and creates sensitivity in others. Make sure to keep these groups of produce apart. And never keep produce in a sealed bag—let ‘em breathe!

 

Storing your fruits and veggies isn’t just about spoilage prevention. It also prevents food waste. Did you know that 30 to 40 percent of what is grown and raised in the U.S. rots or is thrown away? That means we essentially toss in the trash a large amount of our food. As farmers, we know the hard work that goes into producing food. We consider it part of our job to help educate our friends and neighbors about the importance of agriculture. So we hope we’ve helped you learn how to keep your food fresh longer. Here’s to more in your belly, and less in the trash!