This strawberry season has been interesting to say the least. In Southern Maine our season “normally” runs from around June 25th until around the 15th of July; which means strawberries are “normally” part of 4th of July festivities. This year, 2012, a challenge came our way – strawberry season started June 8th, which meant if we made it to the 4th it would be a gift. Well today, June 30th, to find a strawberry in Southern Maine is like mining for “red gold”. Tomorrow July 1st will be the last day I will ask my crew to pick berries.Because I know the challenge and frustration of being in the field and “begging” berries to fill my quart; to eke out three more days is just about impossible. So, good-bye to the strawberry season of 2012!

Managing the expectations of the customers and explaining the ebbs and flows of the season is part of creating engaged customers. People that truly understand that a continuous supply of any product is not possible, even when teaming up with other farms. We try our best, but Mother Nature determines what will be ready when and how long it will last. All I can do as a grower is try to make a season last as long as I can by – growing different varieties of a product, by using succession planting and by harvesting what I can when I can (thus maximizing yield). 

I am sad to say Strawberry Season is done before the 4th of July – I am sad that my fellow farmers are experiencing the same thing and I am sad for my customers who will not be able to have Cape Elizabeth strawberries on 4th of July. 

But with this disappointment comes an upside – PEAS yummy sweet green orbs that are nature’s M&Ms and NEW RED POTATOES with their delicate skin and sweet fresh taste. With each good-bye is a sweet hello to other products that bring the taste of summer and remind us of why we love our farms and farmers!

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It’s the end of November and many people are still looking for Maine grown lettuce.  Now lettuce and salad greens can be found, but they are not as abundant as during the warmer months.

I admit salad is my favorite food (next to the newest vegetable pizza) and I am constantly looking for new ways to engage in “the crunch” of a nice crisp salad.  So I started asking my customers about cabbage or kale as a substitute, the looks from customers ranged from are you crazy to that’s what I do! Here are some ideas similar to those offered by my customers:

KALE SALAD (I used Apples in place of the Pear) – use this for the idea and then make it your own!

CABBAGE SALAD (use as a base and add your own touch — I like to add pickled cranberries and Maine shrimp)

BROCCOLI STALK SALAD (yummy!)

So my challenge to you is — continue to enjoy your salads — incorporate KALE, which is sweeter as the weather gets colder and it is still being harvested fresh out of the fields. Also, incorporate frost sweetened cabbage and broccoli (the stems as well). Experiment …. buy locally grown food (yes even in the winter) — use winter products to bring a new twist to your cold weather eating (and don’t forget Maine potatoes)!