What’s been going on! 

Thank you to everyone who called, emailed and texted us on Monday to make sure we were okay after the tornado passed near us.  Everything is fine here on the farm, all we got was some heavy rain.  We were up very early preparing and watching in case we did have to get into our safe place but both storms, one a confirmed tornado, went by to the northwest of us about five or six miles away.  Knowing the storms paths we, like you, began checking in with all of the farmers and others that we know in those areas and so far everyone we have talked with had no damage.

The only other tornado we have had near us was 26 years ago when one passed right over the mill in Saxapahaw and took the roof off.  Back then it was still a working yarn mill and that was the end of its commercial life.  It sat idle for some years before the renaissance that has become the miracle of Saxapahaw began.  Now the old mill is full of apartments, restaurants and the renowned Saxapahaw Ballroom music and event center.

Thank you again for everyone’s patience and understanding of what seem to be constant changes in the market routine as they are mostly out of the Market’s control.  Last week’s change to one entrance and exit and a limit on how many people could be in the market area at any one time was sprung on us late on Thursday by the Orange County Health Dept. while it is not ideal and might be tweaked some more this week you all were great at working with the change.  If you see our new market Manager Maggie give her a big thank you for handling so many changes and challenges in her first month with such grace and skill!  I can say that the Carrboro Farmers’ Market is doing an exemplary job of social distancing and managing the flow of people, far, far better than any other place I have been in the past month.

Picture of the week

Even on a gray day the green of spring is vibrant and the creek has returned to normal after the storm.

What’s going to be at Market?

We will not be at the Wednesday market for the foreseeable future until the outbreak subsides but we do plan to be at Saturdays as long as we can be.

To facilitate less contact and faster exchanges we are encouraging people to pre-order so that it is ready to go when you get to market this page has all of the details on how to do that.  We need your orders by noon on Friday for us to be able to put them together on Friday afternoon.

Availability is a crystal ball guess that we do on Wednesday before we even harvest on Friday, know that it can change, usually for the better as we are conservative in our estimates.  Stuff happens fast out in the field both good and bad.

A bit of a lull in production this week.

The Red and Green Little Gem lettuce tide continues to roll.  A small supply of beautiful large Romaine and Red Summer Crisp Lettuce (a combination of Romaine and Red leaf).  Plenty of Escarole for soups, salads or sautéing.

Tons of crunchy Red Radishes and tender and sweet Japanese Salad Turnips.  Broccoli Raab (aka Rapini or Cima di Rapa) which can be used in so many dishes. Back for the spring Lacinato Kale (aka Dinosaur Kale or Cavalo Nero), you all know what to do with it.

Dutch Iris in white and blue.  A few of Betsy’s famous bouquets.

Stay safe and well and we hope to see you all at the market!

Alex and Betsy

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