Eat like a Farmer

Ever wonder how farmers eat? Farming is hard work; it takes a lot of mental and physical labor to grow on a bio-intensive, organic farm. One of most rewarding parts of farming is bringing fresh, healthy food to the community, and to our own plates. Here are a few ways you too can eat like a farmer.

Spring Onions

Eat locally. This is by far the easiest way to eat like a farmer. The produce you see at the market is what the farmers are eating. If you don’t have time to shop at the farmers market, try joining a CSA. For a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, you pay the cost of the produce upfront, then receive fresh fruits and veggies all season long.

Summer Veggies

 

Eat seasonally. Seasonal food is produce that is consumed around that same time that is was harvested. Even if you are not shopping at farmers markets you can still easily and within budget find seasonal produce. Seasonal food is fresher, tastier and more nutritious that out of season produce. This is true even when the food is grown out of state. Make sure to always read labels to find out where your produce was grown and use this guide to find what is in season: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/availabilitychart.pdf

Heirloom Tomatoes

Canning, freezing, and drying are great ways to capture the health benefits of abundant herbs and vegetables during the summer. Hang clusters of your favorite herbs in brown paper bags, or use a freezer safe bag to store fresh blueberries and strawberries. Canning is more labor intensive and make sure you do your research first. https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/home_canning.html

Dried Herbs

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Radicchio, Kohlrabi, Romanesco, local farmers are growing more and more interesting crops. If something looks unfamiliar at the market ask the farmer. Most farmers supply recipies for the new or unique produce they are growing.

Fennel

Want to learn more? Join us March 23rd 2019 for our Eat like a Farmer Cooking Class. We are partnering with Michelle Aronson and the Farmbelly Cooking School. This class is part demonstration and part hands-on, and guests will learn all about sourcing, preparing, and cooking with seasonal + local produce. Class includes a walking tour of the farm.

Tickets Here: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eat-like-a-farmer-cooking-class-tickets-56352280187

 

Blog written by Morgan Malone, Farm Manager