The Soggy Spring Blues

Hello everyone!  We hope you had an event filled Memorial Day weekend and are ready to have some summer fun.  Here at Pathfinder Produce, we’re here to help you with your produce needs, including the fresh veggies and fruits for your family cookouts, graduation parties, and other get-togethers.  We hope to see you at the Village Commons this Thursday, May 30, from noon to 5 p.m.

This week, our Hoop House produce is starting to come in -- all types of greens for your delicious garden salads! Unless you grow it yourself, it doesn’t get any fresher!

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Pathfinder Hoop House Spinach ... just picked!

For weeks, we’ve all been down because of the endless rain. Many friends and co-workers have been exasperated, wondering if this has been the wettest spring ever. Yes, according to numerous sources, we have just lived through the wettest 12 months ever recorded.

Thankfully, in time for Pathfinder’s Splash Path 5k and other local events, the weather was pleasant. This past weekend was beautiful too, perfect for our communities’ Memorial Day observances.  But more drizzle is in the forecast this week.

Unfortunately for America’s corn farmers, the lingering wet weather is making this season tough. In the Midwest, estimates indicate that not even half the corn crop has been planted and the window for getting seeds in the ground is closing. Our local farmers have been challenged too: I detect notes of urgency when I hear our neighbors running their planting equipment from very early in the morning through very late at night.

As the farmer fares, so fares the country: If wet weather continues to affect crops, we will all pay more for processed foods and for many corn-based products.  Any foods that contain corn, corn syrup, HFCS, corn oil, corn starch, maltodextrin, xanthan gum, ascorbic acid, di-glycerides, ethel acetate, acetic acid, citric acid and vanilla extract (to name a few derivatives), could become less available and/or more expensive.

As most livestock animals are fed diets rich in corn, a bad corn crop will affect the price and availability of beef, pork and poultry. And even filling up at the pump will be more expensive, as most of the gasoline we use contains 10% of corn-based ethanol.

Our entire ag economy and national farm policy are geared toward monoculture crops like corn; because of changing weather patterns and pest issues impacted by rising global temperatures, we are at risk. This blog post from the College of Natural Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst lays out convincing arguments for transitioning away from crop monocultures. The key to stable food systems is to diversify crops, change Farm Bill policies, and do away with monoculture subsidies. Biodiversity protects crops from widespread pest infestation and can result in cultivars that are more resilient to changes in growing conditions.

As noted on the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization page on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources:

Local crop varieties—also known as landraces or farmers’ varieties—can be essential to the food, nutrition and economic security of many people—particularly smallholder farmers and farming communities in rural and marginal areas. The diversity in these varieties can provide insurance against crop failure and wide cropping windows, while the crop produce may be central to traditional local cuisine and specific dietary requirements. Furthermore, these diverse varieties are an important source of locally adapted genes for the improvement of other crops.

Despite the wide recognition of the importance of local crop varieties and the role of farmers and other crop maintainers in sustaining them, the enabling environment to advocate their continued cultivation has been eroded, partly due to the promotion and widespread adoption of high yielding uniform varieties. Many diverse local varieties have therefore been lost along with the knowledge associated with their cultivation and use.

While a supportive legal framework for the sale of seed and cultivation of local crop varieties is lacking in many countries, there are activities that can help to enhance their value and sustained use, as well as to support the creation of new diversity in situ. This may in turn serve to inform and influence the development of a more appropriate, supportive policy environment.

In a nutshell, we need to diversify our food systems, eat local and support local farmers, and get active in how our national farm policies are structured.

Until next time, stay dry and be well,

Lori

THANK YOU!

Hello, everyone!  We're a bit pressed for time this week, so we're sending out an abbreviated blog with our prices for our next delicious Pathfinder Produce market.  We'll be open at the Village Commons this Thursday, May 23, from noon to 5 p.m. We look forward to serving you!

As always, our market will serve up the tastiest fruits and veggies, all affordably priced, and don’t forget about our convenient online ordering options!

Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who helped support Splash Path this past weekend ... it was a great event, and we got to formally introduce our new Mobile Market to everyone. This year's Splash Path proceeds will help keep our "veggie van" serving those in remote areas who may not have ready access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

We can't thank you enough for your ongoing support for Pathfinder Produce!

All the best,

Lori

Family Fun at Splash Path!

Hello, everyone!  We look forward to seeing you at our next, fresh Pathfinder Produce market, at the Village Commons this Thursday, from noon to 5 p.m.
We’ll have a special registration booth for our upcoming signature event, the Splash Path 5k and Fun Walk, which takes place on Saturday, May 18.  Stop by!

As always, our market will serve up the tastiest fruits and veggies, all affordably priced, and don’t forget about our convenient online ordering options!

Our thanks go out to all who’ve registered to take part in Splash Path.  A special shout out goes to our generous sponsors and TEAM CORI members, who have donated to make Saturday’s event possible. Below, my colleague Martha Spiegel shares her thoughts on this colorful event.

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This Saturday is Pathfinder’s annual Splash Path 5K and Fun Walk. Preparations have been in the works since the end of last year’s Splash Path, and the event gets bigger and better every year. I attended the first Splash Path with my husband and my granddaughter, Delilah. The next year we brought our oldest grandson, Colton, as well. They had fun getting colorful, and walking and running along the event route. They talked to other children they met as we walked, were excited to see their teachers (a big shout out to the Norwich teachers who come every year), and even got to moo at a cow.

One of the great things about Splash Path is that it is such a great activity for people of all ages and abilities to do together. Some come to run the course, others to walk. Some do the entire 5K, and others may choose to shorten it. There are moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, babies in strollers, young kids, teens, and young adults. There are experienced runners, joggers, fast walkers and leisurely wanderers. There are people who live or work at Pathfinder, people who are old friends of Pathfinder, and people who have never been here before.

So what does this diverse group of people have in common? They are all here to support the community! Splash Path proceeds always go to initiatives which help the people who live and work in this region to live healthier lives. For example, money has been raised for the Town of Edmeston Pool, and to build the Pathfinder Village Community Walking Trail. The focus this year is on the Pathfinder Produce Mobile Market, which is extending the reach of Pathfinder Produce and giving more people access to fresh fruits and vegetables—an essential part of a healthy diet.

If you have not signed up for Splash Path yet, it is still possible to participate. You can register on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. (Event t-shirt/goodie bag availability may be limited for walk-in registrations.) If you can’t make the 5K, you can still come later in the morning to enjoy the family festival which follows. There will be games, food, music, and much more. Splash Path happens rain or shine (though we always hope for “shine”!) and is a great way to spend your Saturday. Come join in the fun!

Until next time, keep it colorful!

Martha (and Lori)

Planning & $mart $hopping!

Hello everyone!  We hope you will join us for the next delicious Pathfinder Produce fresh foods market at the Village Commons on Thursday, from noon to 5 p.m. Our friendly staff looks forward to helping you with your shopping needs … and don’t forget about our online ordering option!

This week we’re in the official countdown to the Splash Path 5k and Fun Walk, which takes place on Saturday, May 18. Sign up online at splashpath.racewire.com before May 11 to lock-in your early registration fees. A huge thanks goes out to all our sponsors and community partners who contribute to this fun and colorful event … THANK YOU!  Check out more Splash Path details at our website or on our Facebook event page.

Below, my colleague Sally Trosset shares some good advice on meal planning, shopping, and budgeting, essential skills that every consumer should develop.

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With careful planning and smart shopping, you can make the most out of your budget to include fruits and vegetables in all your meals. Produce items can also be an excellent value if you plan accordingly. Preparing meals and eating at home is another way to save money, plus it gives you the opportunity to enjoy meals with your family.

Many times, we are too busy to do that, unfortunately. How do we conquer this? Plan ahead! By planning you'll save time in the long run and be less likely to resort to pre-prepared or takeout food that always costs more. Start by making a shopping list and stick to it to avoid spending money on unnecessary items.

As we head into the summer months when many fruits and vegetables are readily available, there is nothing wrong with including frozen, canned or dried forms of fruit and vegetables on your list. They are also nutritious and good pantry/freezer items to have on hand for a quick meal.  There are many ways to get the most bang for your buck. Try planning meals around fruits and vegetables that have a longer shelf life. Include fruits and vegetables that can be used as a side dish in one meal or as quick snacks, or in smoothies, soups or a casserole for additional meals during the week.

One of the best ways to save when buying fresh fruits and vegetables is to buy in season.  In season means there is a larger supply which in turn makes these foods less expensive. When at the market, pay attention to the specials and buy extra (but not too much, as spoiled items are frustrating and wasteful). Many fruits and vegetables can be frozen, or you can prepare a dish to be frozen for another time. Keeping a storage chart on hand also helps advice on how best to store most fruits and vegetables. 

Another way to save money is to grow your own fruit and vegetables. A harvest calendar can help you plant your edible garden on the best dates. Planting your garden involves three steps, planning, preparation and planting. While it takes some effort to maintain, gardening can be a great family activity.  You may even find that kids will take more of an interest in foods they have helped grow!  Gardening is also a great way for kids to learn about the environment, it captures their interest in nature, and gives them a sense of accomplishment all while introducing them to healthy foods!

Having fruits and vegetables on hand doesn’t need to break the bank! Careful planning can go a long way, and remember all forms count toward your daily eating goals!  Look for weekly specials throughout the grocery store and stop by Pathfinder Produce on Thursdays from 12-5 to see our fresh bounty! 

Happy Spring!

Sally (and Lori)