Just In From Tricycle Gardens
We just got in a ton of locally-grown, organic starter veggies from Richmond’s own Tricycle Gardens! Tricycle Gardens is a grassroots, environmental nonprofit organization focused on bringing agriculture, nutrition education and healthy food access to the urban core of Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 2002 by three architects living in Church Hill who believed community gardens, and the simple act of growing food, were the fastest ways to transform the overall health of their community – both for the residents and the environment.
These starter herbs are available now for just $3.99 for a 6-pack. They’re a great way to start your summer harvest off right! Nothing’s better than a fresh, summer salad with locally grown greens! Come get ‘em!
An Interview with Victory Farms
Late this past fall, our team went over to Victory Farms in Hanover County to say hello and check in on things. Victory Farms is now under the new ownership of a wonderful man that goes by Alistar Harris. Alistar grew up in a farming region in South Africa where his family relied on their backyard garden for food. He continues the solid mission of healthy, natural food and sustainability that Charlie and Gina Collins started. We sat down with Alistar for a few questions:
Caromont Farm Local Cheeses!
We’re super excited to get in two new local goat cheeses from Caromont Farm in Esmont, Virginia! Caromont is located just 23 miles south of Charlottesville where their core values of sustainable farming start with a commitment to their animals and a strong connection to place.
Gail Hobbs Page is the owner and cheese maker at Caromont Farm. Her cheeses enjoy a local as well as a regional following, and are sold at Specialty Cheese Shops, Farmers Markets, and Fine Restaurants throughout the Southeast. Caromont holds true to the basic farmstead principles of cheese making– they source no outside milk, use no frozen curd, and all cheeses are hand ladled. They continually strive to develop the terroir of Esmont in their cheeses through improving their soil fertility while practicing holistic herd practices.
Saving Money on Organics…
Last week we had a little visit from WRIC TV8 where they asked us a simple question, “How do you save money on organics?” Here’s what we had to say:
1. Buy foods that are local and in season: When you purchase local and in season foods, you’re getting these items at their peak freshness and seasonal availability. Prices on foods that are in season tend to be much cheaper than buying foods out of season. When you add in the local factor, you end up not having to pay extra for transportation costs and you’re keeping money in your local economy.
2. Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk saves you money because you have the ability to get the exact amount you need. You’re also not paying the extra costs of packaging which saves much more than money. Buying in bulk creates far less waste than packaged foods, keeping plastics and materials out of the landfill. We also give a 10-cent container credit when you bring in your own empty container for bulk purchases.
3. Shop sale prices and use coupons: Our buyers work hard to provide you with competitive prices throughout our store. Look for the big yellow sale tags that indicate specials on delicious, organic items. We also offer money-saving coupons available at our registers. Most companies also offer printable coupons online on their websites.
Virginia Apples are In!
It’s that time of the year again! As the weather starts to cool down, fresh & delicious Virginia apples start to come in and orchards all over the state are bursting with color. If you haven’t had a chance yet to head west of Richmond and go apple picking, then what are you waiting for?
Until then, come by the store for some of Virginia’s finest apples from Crown Orchard, Fred Glaize Farm and more. We have some beautiful local Red and Golden Delicious apples on sale $4.99 for a 5lb bag.
An Apple Tree Grows in Suburbia
In a movement propelled by environmental concern, nostalgia for a simpler life and a dollop of marketing savvy, developers are increasingly laying out their cul-de-sacs around organic farms, cattle ranches, vineyards and other agricultural ventures. They’re betting that buyers will pay a premium for views of heirloom tomatoes—and that the farms can provide a steady stream of revenue, while cutting the cost of landscaping upkeep.
Why not line streets with almond and avocado trees, he asks, or replace shrubbery with cabbage and currants? Golf courses could plant their roughs with kale and corn. Lawns—where they must exist—could be edged with chives and herbs.
The Tomatoes Keep Coming!
Our friends over at Plantation Woods just brought over a large shipment of locally-grown tomatoes including these big, yellow Brandywines!
Young Farmers will Rule the World!
The Greenhorns is a documentary about the courage and struggle of the current wave of young farmers in America. It’s about young people growing plants and raising animals for a living and breaking the mold of a corporate society. They’re taking risks and investing their own money into land, soil and safe, organic food production. The film was completed after almost 3 years in production. For more information on the film, visit The Greenhorn’s Website.
Come Get Your Basil Fix
Local, fresh Victory Farms Basil is in season right now. Stop by the store to get your fix – at just $2.99 a bunch, you definitely don’t want to miss out! If you would like to buy in bulk, we will also be taking special orders at customer service with a 10% discount, so don’t hesitate to ask.
“Basil, originally from India, is best known as a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in the Northeast Asian cuisine of Taiwan and the Southeast Asian cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.” We recommend making a big batch of pesto, freezing it in an ice cube tray and saving it for later! Click here for a fresh, quick recipe.
A Trip to Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
Rick Hood (owner) & wife, Molly Hood in NY.
This past weekend, our owner, Rick Hood and his wife, Molly, took a trip to Pocantico Hills, New York to visit the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture. From the owner:
“It was an inspiring experience to spend the weekend at Stone’s Barns Center for Food and Agriculture and dine at their award winning Blue Hill restaurant. Blue Hill, owned by Dan and David Barber, is built around a local, seasonal food reputation (a shared philosophy with their original restaurant, located in Manhattan). All courses were grown and/or raised on the farm. A large portion of the experience was educating the diner about the farm to fork food concept. The unique presentation of individual, seasonal vegetables (such as asparagus spears, young carrots and radishes) served to increase our appetite for the upcoming dishes.”
Community Garden Update
We just wanted to show you al some photos of the Ellwood Thompson’s plot at the Humphrey Calder Community Garden. The community garden was founded in 2009 by a partnership with Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, Tricycle Gardens and the City of Richmond. Right now we’re growing organic red chard, tomatoes, basil, marigolds, potatoes, onions, eggplant, radish, peas, cucumbers, beets, spinach, mizuna greens, lettuce and more.
Tricycle Gardens Local Seedlings are now in!
Yes! They’re finally here! Locally grown, organic seedlings from Richmond’s own Tricycle Gardens! Now is the time to get your spring and summer veggies going! We’ve got mixed lettuces, Swiss Chard, Mizuna Greens, Mustard Greens and Kale! They’re already going fast so come get yours while you can!
Virginia Agriculture Week
On Monday, March 13th, Ellwood Thompson’s is proud to support and celebrate Virginia Agriculture Week. Our very own produce manager, Kyong Soh, will be available from 8am – 11am, Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday & Friday to answer any planting and gardening questions you might have.
And if you have children, bring them in on Wednesday a 4pm for a produce tour and book reading with Kate Lainhart from Manakintowne Specialty Growers. The first 15 children get a free copy of the book, “Read, Set, Grow! A Tour of Virginia’s Farms & Agriculture!”
What’s Cooking Richmond?
Market season is coming up soon. Fresh veggies, raw milk shares, grass-fed beef… Richmond’s farmers markets offer it all. Do you want to learn how to prepare this wonderful harvest in ways that heal and sustain? Join one of our regular customers, Elli Sparks for some wonderful cooking classes. The classes will cover yogurt, kefir, raw milk, grass-fed beef, sprouted nuts and seeds, homemade pickles, fermented foods and much more. Classes hosted twice a month in her Woodland Heights home. Space is limited, so be sure to register early.
For more information, please visit Elli’s blog, What’s Cooking in Richmond.
Discover Greens
Join Ellwood Thompson’s and Gina Collins of Victory Farms on Wednesday, March 2nd for an in depth discussion on on the wonderful world of greens, local farming, preservation, Virginia and community. This class will cover a little bit of everything, from the philosophy of Victory Farms to organic methods you can use in our own garden. From the novice to the expert, this class will be fun and educational.
To sign up, click here.