Just yesterday at our farm stand… I had a great conversation about Canadian history with a family from Quebec, learned about a neighbor’s organic diet to assist his cancer treatment, talked tomato varieties many times over, and threw up about two dozen waves to customers who stopped by.
When we built the stand in 2010, I had intentions to sell our ‘overflow’ produce there – stuff we were long on and couldn’t move through a farmers market or the CSA. But in the past three seasons, we’ve witnessed a total explosion in popularity that has us running to keep up. I routinely see three and four cars at the end of our driveway nowadays and the stand attracts a true cross-section of America. Rich and poor. Professionals and rednecks. Guys with MAGA hats and ladies driving hybrids adorned with ‘coexist’ bumberstickers. No matter their walk of life, neighbors and passers-by alike always express how grateful they are for our work and the farm stand. Yesterday, I even had a guy shout “You the man!” at me while I was out harvesting in the tomatoes.
That last one got me thinking…why do people so love this little farm stand at end of our driveway?
Yes, the produce is fresh and certified organic. Sure. But I think something bigger is at play. Our farm stand acts as an authentic holdout in a world becoming more and more virtual and disconnected. Lonely big box stores and daily corporate grift. Endless political wrangling with strangers online. The Kardashians!? In this world gone nuts, this strange fever-pitch drama we now live online, our 30 square-foot farm stand screams out forgotten Midwestern values at their finest. An outpost in total opposition to the sleek and dishonest future into which we’re all being pulled. There’s nothing fake or contrived about it. We’re a single family working hard in fields but 50 yards from the storefront. We labor innumerable hours with our own hands to feed neighbors quality food, one tomato at a time.
I don’t know…maybe I’m just getting overly dramatic. I do know, however, that the role we have the privilege to play in people’s lives feels good and we’re happy to play it.
In the box:
- Sweet Corn
- Yellow ‘Satina’ Potatoes
- Beets: Check out the instructional video below about roasting (my favorite way to have beets). Also, the combo of roasted beets with goat cheese or feta is great: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/235272/roasted-beets-with-goat-cheese-and-walnuts/
- Green Peppers
- Sweet Onions
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Slicing Tomatoes: Yah!
- Italian Flat-leaf Parsley
- Garlic
- Cauliflower: Sorry this is the most inconsistent cauliflower ever – by the luck of the draw you may find a nice-sized one or a mini head.
- Bunch of Kale
Lida Farm 