Organic Bulk Order & Alaskan Businesses Doing Good – Take a Pause and Recharge
Food for Thought Newsletter - Issue 013
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Organic bulk order with fresh fruits and veggies, Apeel-free
- Meet Alaskan businesses doing good for our community
- Why it’s okay to take a break and recharge
Bulk Produce Order
Not much going on with the farm this week, although we are getting another bulk order ready, so that's exciting! This one will include apples, pears, kiwi berries (so anyone who grows or wants to grow arctic kiwi can try them), grapes, chanterelle mushrooms, some citrus, and a few other odds and ends. Reminder, these are all ORGANIC and Apeel-FREE! I'm double-checking that myself!
I'm trying to source only from farms that I can research or already know of, which is tough. I'm a little shocked that the wholesaler we purchase from gets so many things from another wholesaler/packer instead of directly from farmers. So many hands in the pie when we all just want real food from real people.
I'm working on it though!
So, in the meantime, would you leave a comment and let me know what you'd like to order this time around?
Also, would it help to get another order that will be delivered before Thanksgiving besides this one? If so, what would you want in that order?
These are all bulk, so you might want to order with a friend or two if you can't find yourself using it all up in time.
Okay, on to the meat of this newsletter. I'm going to shoot straight with you - I had scheduled to talk about the new fluoride findings this week - or maybe the chicken debacle in the UK that we need to be aware of because we have our own RFID legislation being pushed on us.
But do you know what?
That can wait for next week.
Tired of the Food Lies
I'm tired of being duped when I try to buy something and find out I'm not getting what I thought I was due to clever marketing.
I'm tired of having to research "organic" because the USDA doesn't have the same definition of organic as me - nor do they have as high standards as I do.
I'm tired of seeing people comment on posts and be so, so rude and put people down for asking questions and trying to learn. And I'm tired of being told things are good for you - then bad for you - then good for you again - it's not supposed to be hard, folks!
So - I decided this newsletter today will be a ray of sunshine. No fluoride, no chickens (although there is some serious humor in the chicken story, so be watching for that one), just good stuff!
Deal?
Tell me something good
Hmmm ... what's good?
More times than not, when my son CameRon calls me, he will start the call with "Tell me something good". I love that question!
So, before you read this, I want you to stop and think about what is GOOD in your life right now and spend a minute being thankful for just that. Hit reply if you feel like sharing - I'd LOVE to fill my own inbox with good news, for sure!
So while you think on what is good and lovely - I want to encourage you by sharing some kinda cool local stories of folks who are making Alaska a better place. I want to give you a tiny peek behind the curtain of some folks who are doing GOOD things in Alaska.
Some are businesses. They don't have a clue I'm writing about them - so this is not a paid endorsement or anything of the sort. Just me seeing folks doing good things and sharing about them because it's good and right.
But first, a story. The other day, Abbi and I were on our way to Wasilla during the morning rush hour and an ambulance came up behind us, code 3. There were several of us stopped at the light, and we had to figure out how to get out of the way. And we did! It was quite the sight - we cleared a path and the ambulance didn't even have to slow down.
While we sat there, Abbi (who is almost 14) commented, "Mom, this is really cool. It's like we're all on one team working to help get that person to the hospital. Mom, that makes me super happy and proud. I'm glad to be in the line with all of these good people."
I cried. You know what? We were all doing our very best to get out of the way for the one person in the ambulance who was quite possibly having the worst day of their life. That's cool. No one was selfish, no one was honking - it didn't matter if someone was late - we all moved out of the way. We made room for each other, so the ambulance didn't have to slow down.
But then I wondered (and got a little melancholy thinking) - what if we were on the same FB group together and one of these people posts about a candidate that they like (or don't like) or expressed an opinion different from mine - would we be so helpful? Would we be so kind?
We can do better, folks.
Let's strive to do better. I may not agree with you that carrots are better than honeyberries, but that doesn't mean we have to silence each other! (Don't come after my highland cows, though - them's fightin' words ...) JUST KIDDING! ((whispering)) -- kinda…
Some local, Alaskan good
So - a few good things I see happening in Alaska right now:
I absolutely love talking with Leah from Foundroot. Well, of course I do, she's a fellow farmer. But you know what? She has a heart to teach - even when you're just talking! She just loves to share what works and how to grow stuff. She's passionate about feeding Alaskans and when you ask her about her seed sources, she lights up, and you're off to the races talking about all things seeds! It's so fun!
Want to know something else I love about them? Head over to their site to see the header. Or not - I'll include a photo to save you time:
They are taking a minute to rest, folks. When you own a business, you could work 24/7 - you can gain a lucrative business and lose your life completely. Lose your family, your friends, your hobbies - you can easily become completely unbalanced and wrapped up in your business. OR - you can be smart like Leah and take moments to step back and breathe.
My advice? Be more like Leah.
Stop. Breathe. Be.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend about an hour on the phone with Meghann Walker from First Colony Farms. We have a potential project we may be working on with them, so we were talking through some details. My word - she is so in love with her customers and she's crazy passionate about sourdough - and she's so generous! Another thing about business owners is that they usually give when it doesn't really hurt. It's easy to give away one small thing if you're certain that it will lead to a bigger sale. It's harder to give when it's right and good but there is no guarantee of the return - and to trust that it will all work out. Her passion and generosity really touched me.
Ellen VandeVisse from Good Earth Garden School - Oh our sweet Ellie - what can I say about her other than she is truly one of the greatest gifts we have in this state. Ellie loves to create beautiful soil and grow things. And she's very good at it! And she LOVES to share. She did a video with us about putting your garden to bed that was so informative! She didn't charge a thing. Just wanted to get the word out because it's important to her that folks know this stuff. She is also offering a six-week regenerative gardening course that's going to be incredible! One class option is in Palmer, the other is in Wasilla.
Zoe Fuller inspired me this summer when I saw a post on her Singing Nettle Farm page that they were taking a break. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER! (Are you seeing a trend here? I told you - I'm tired!) They planted mostly fall crops so although I know they kept up with the garden all summer, they took a break from their public stuff to take care of themselves, and some family things. Zoe has no idea, but I've gone back and read that post so many times as an encouragement that breaks are OKAY!
If you were at the homestead mini-expo last weekend, you likely got to meet Sunny from Ice Aged Charcuterie. She did the sausage/bacon making class and it was incredible! I've heard nothing but good things. But here's one thing that was cool about Sunny - when I reached out to her about coming down to teach a class, she had several specs that were required by her. The meat had to be local, and it had to be raised a certain way in order for her to even use it.
Isn't that so cool? Of course, I wholeheartedly agreed with her! She is not willing to waver on her principles. Period. I love that.
Jodie Anderson - Jodie ranks right up there with Ellie as being one of the greatest gifts of human beings we have in Alaska. Jodie is constantly looking for ways to do better, and encourage others to do the same. She brightens every room she's in. She is an energy giver, so no matter how you're feeling before an encounter with Jodie - I promise you'll be smiling, energized, and hopeful when you're done talking with her! And Jodie is a tireless advocate for Alaska Ag. Thanks for being exactly you, Jodie - because you make this world a better place!
So, there you go! I hope you are encouraged and step just a little lighter today. 🙂
Remember what Abbi said - she was glad to be in line with all of the GOOD people. She made the assumption that they were good because they did a good thing. Let's all be good people. Deal?
Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash
interested in beets, peaches, other fruits or veggies to can.