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Produce problems and how to solve them

written by

Aaron Miller

posted on

July 3, 2020

Miller’s Bio Farm started offering produce this spring, knowing that our customers needed access to fresh fruits and veggies during the lockdown. We can tell that our customers like it, because.... well... you keep ordering more fruits and veggies! 

Produce offerings this week include broccoli, curly parsley, English hull peas, fresh garlic, garlic scapes, gold grape tomatoes, green cabbage, lettuce, green zucchini, red beets, mini purplette onions, NJ blueberries, ginger, pineapple, slicing cucumbers, snow peas, sweet basil, yellow onions, and white mushrooms.

We are so happy to be able to provide you this service and are happy to solve any produce problems that come our way.

Depleted soils and distance traveled result in less nutritious produce. Our produce comes from local regenerative farmers.

A simple broccoli crown is not what it was 100 years ago, when most soil was naturally rich in vitamins and minerals. Now, after decades of conventional farming practices, soils are depleted. 

“A Kushi Institute analysis of nutrient data from 1975 to 1997 found that average calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped 27 percent; iron levels 37 percent; vitamin A levels 21 percent, and vitamin C levels 30 percent.” (Dirt Poor, Have Fruits and Vegetables Become Less Nutritious?)

Add this to the fact that some fruits and veggies like strawberries or oranges are harvested before they are ripe so they can travel thousands of miles to the consumer… you get the point.

Our produce comes from Lancaster Farm Fresh. The collective of farmers are stewards of land and think forward generationally. They aim to improve the health of communities through fresh nutrient-rich produce as well as the health of the land. It goes hand in hand!

It can be hard to predict exactly what will be available and how much folks will be interested in. We do our best to keep it interesting and get what you want.

Lancaster Farm Fresh’s offerings change every week based on what’s in season and what’s available. Our inventory changes accordingly and is typically updated mid-week.

The on farm manager Lena has been having fun picking different fruits and veggies for you and trying her best to get things that sell out again and again. She hopes you are enjoying it.

Keeping it fresh and avoiding spoiled produce is a constant work in progress.

It can be a challenge to get fruits and veggies to you in perfect condition. Too much condensation or not enough air flow for too long can completely ruin a great cucumber.

The farm staff are constantly improving their packing. And all that they do is in response to your valued feedback!

Different sizes led us to charge by the pound.

We are now selling most produce by the pound! This is because a large tomato and a small tomato should not be the same cost. It not only makes packing easier but also makes charges fairer for you.

We love hearing feedback from our customers. Is there a way we can improve the produce? Is there something you’d like to see that we aren’t carrying?

Health and Nutrition

Farming Practices

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The drama and quick problem solving at the Wise Traditions Conference.

Miller's Bio Farm attended the Weston A. Price Foundation's annual Wise Traditions Conference in Orlando, FL last weekend. Overall, we had an awesome time. But... the trip didn't come without some food freedom drama. This time (for once), it had nothing to do with raw milk or the laws. It was the Marriot's policies that held us back.Here's the story...After a 15 hour drive, the farm team arrived on Thursday with a trailer filled with all of our amazing natural food. At every other event we've attended, we've been able to keep perishables in the venue's cooler and freezer. Not this time! We were told by the hotel that we cannot store it inside.We couldn't let the food go to waste! We scrambled and rented a refrigerated truck that evening.At this point, we knew there was going to be more trouble.The next morning, we were told the reason why.The Marriot does not allow any dairy, meat, or ferments to be sold, served, or given away that's not from one of their vendors (like Cisco). We couldn't even keep a sealed example product on the table to display. It was a liability thing (in other words, corporate greed).And this was despite the fact that all of our food is 100% certified and legal. And, we were required to have $5M worth of insurance to be there. It was just awful. They wouldn't allow a waiver (they said there wasn't enough time). They didn't care if the food went to waste (not their problem). They didn't sympathize with the fact that the people there simply won't or physically can't eat the hotel's conventional food (not sure what's happened to humanity).Our food was not allowed on premises. So we thought fast. On Friday morning, we quickly opened a pickup location outside the hotel. It was a 30 second walk away, about 2 feet off their property on the side of the road. So... people purchased at our booth inside and then walked outside to get their food.Kinda hilarious... but within the Marriot's rules.We even hosted a super fun milk and cookies party outside at the pickup location!At the same time, many conference attendees motivated and spoke with hotel management. I think even Congressman Massie (a keynote speaker) reached out. They explained why we were all gathered together, the importance of real food from small farms, and how the Marriot's policies are a major food freedom issue.The next day, the Marriot decided to "turn a blind eye". We closed our short-lived pickup location, and our booth was back to what we planned!! We even made a butter pyramid and had an ice cream party to celebrate 🥳 As a community of real food eaters, we affected change... albeit small and for one weekend. It gives me hope for the future of food. To anyone who spoke up, shared on social media, or helped scoop 500+ cups of ice cream... thank you!!!Has your food access been held back by laws or policies, either private or public? What food freedom issues are important to you? What would you like to see change?I'd love to hear you from. Comment below (no account required) or contact us.-----PS: We'd love to start pickup locations in Florida and make our food more affordable and accessible in the sunshine state. If you have a spot (or can connect us with a spot) with refrigeration, let me know!