June 19, 2019

A few nights ago my husband spotted something really cool. A cicada shedding its skin right outside our window. Similar to a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis, the cicada really had to work to get out of that too-small skin. It was quite a feat! For me, cicadas are synonymous with summer. I love hearing their buzz throughout the day and the way it changes with the heat. Luckily, the heat isn’t too overwhelming this summer and the temperatures in the creek are divine. But remember that our growers are out in that heat weeding, transplanting, and harvesting day after day. It really is an amazing sacrifice they make to bring us this delicious food, and I am so grateful that they do it. I hope we can all agree that the produce is beyond delicious!

This week we are getting double blackberries! These heavenly berries are gone in a flash, so when we have the chance to get more we take it. My kids usually devour these before we make it home from distribution, so I’m hoping I have a shot at these tasty berries this time around. This week’s potatoes are another first for the season. I don’t know how they do it, but Dave and Ramona Sanders have a real knack for growing potatoes. They are backyard farmers in Camp Verde and their garden is absolutely incredible. You can also find them every Saturday at the Verde Valley Farmers’ Market in Camp Verde, along with Willowbrook Farm, Fasteen Farms, and a whole array of other local growers. If you ever want extra items or are looking for more produce, definitely check out this market. It is my favorite in the Verde Valley, with a huge array of produce all grown within 50 miles of the market. Can’t beat that for local!

Have a lovely week!
Meghan

What’s in your basket – June 19th

Blackberries – Willowbrook Farm and Sanders’ Farm
Carrots – Whipstone Farm

Kale – Willowbrook Farm
Potatoes – Sanders’ Farm
Salad mix – Willowbrook Farm
Salad turnips – Whipstone Farm

Spring onions – Whipstone Farm

Yum!!

Transplanting lettuce into the field at Willowbrook Farm.

Whipstone’s spring onions.

The kale patch at Willowbrook Farm.

Hilary and “Red Ned,” the hen who thinks she’s a human.