The one thing that’s more important to us than any other is to provide you, our customers, with super high quality veggies.  That means following best practices from the time we plant seeds to the time we harvest, wash, pack, and sell them.  Last year we struggled with a limited ability to store produce between the time it was harvested and the time you picked them up.  Many growers eliminate this problem by harvesting as close to the time of pick-up as possible.  While this does often times result in a very fresh product, it’s not always ideal.  Some crops need to be harvested when they’re ready, even if that’s a couple of days before the farmer is ready.

So this winter, we had at the top of our list of equipment purchases a walk-in cooler.  After shopping craigslist and other online sources for several weeks, luck shined on us and we found one in an unexpected location.  The route I use to take my daughter Annie to school passes a used restaurant equipment business.  I had driven past that place three times a week for 3 months, thinking “what a lot of junk,” when one day I spied what appeared to be a small walk-in.  It took a couple more weeks of eyeing as I drove past before I finally stopped to check it out.  Sure enough, it was just what I’d been looking for: 4′ x 6′, free-standing.  The place seemed deserted, though, and there was no sign with a business name, so I couldn’t get any more info.  A couple more weeks later, and someone was finally there as I went past.  So I stopped.  To make an already long story short, it seemed perfect, I was able to get a good price, and now it graces our garage with its presence. 

It is modular, meaning it consists of panels that lock together.  In the picture above, I’m in the process of assembling it.  No need to turn it on yet; it’s still cold out!

In but a few short months, it will be filled with yummy veggies, waiting to be distributed to friends and family.