sustainable farming compost

4 reasons to support sustainable farming

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And all 4 reasons make your life better!

– By the Veggie Fairy Team

That’s Farmer Charlie of Victory Farms in Henrico County, Va., in the photo. He clearly loves his compost, but why should you care about sustainable farming if you’re not a farmer? There are four good reasons why, and they all make our lives better. But first…

What is sustainable farming?

The USDA defines sustainable agriculture as “the production of plant or animal products using techniques that protect the environment and the welfare of humans and animals.”

Sustainable agriculture is focused on finding the right balance between our need to produce food and our need to preserve the environmental ecosystems that sustain our one-and-only planet.

One thing sustainable farming is NOT, is industrial. Industrial agriculture uses industrial techniques, including a heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. That’s how they churn out huge volumes of crops and livestock. Industrial farming operations often treat the plants, animals, and humans involved like inanimate parts on a factory assembly line instead of like living things.

And what are sustainable farming methods?

To grow our food, farmers need clean water and good soil, and they have to be able to keep certain pests from eating up their crops before we can even take a bite. Sustainable methods make all that happen with a minimum of toxic chemicals.

CROP ROTATION avoids the problems that build up when you plant the same crops in the same soil year after year. Many pests prefer specific crops and are happy to settle in, gorge on the steady food supply, and boost their numbers. Rotation breaks the pests’ reproduction cycle. Changing up the crops also changes what the plants take out of the soil and put back into it, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Farmers with pasture-raised cattle and chickens rotate them, too, fertilizing each field they pass through.

COVER CROPS are also used in the rotation process. In between the main crops, farmers plant cover crops like clover or oats. The cover crops prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and improve the soil quality without chemical fertilizers or herbicides.

SOIL ENRICHMENT produces good, healthy soil that’s full of life, which increases crop yield. In addition to cover crops, other sustainable methods of enrichment include leaving stalks and leaves to compost in the field after harvest, and using other composted plant material or animal manure. Some farmers rotate their cattle through harvested fields to graze on the leavings. They can be followed by chickens that eat the bugs in the cow manure, while adding their own rich manure to the mix — making them an all-natural source of fertilizer and pest management!

NATURAL PEST PREDATORS like pasture-raised chickens are an integral part of a farm that’s treated as an ecosystem instead of a factory. In addition to predator birds, there are predator insects like ladybugs and certain wasps that eat crop-eating insects. But when pesticides are used indiscriminately, the good insects get killed along with the pests. So integrated pest management relies on pest predators, crop rotation, and special techniques like introducing sterile male pests. Chemical solutions are only used as a last resort.

WATER & FUEL CONSERVATION includes drip irrigation instead of overhead spraying, so water isn’t wasted through evaporation. Many sustainable farmers also use solar or wind energy to power water pumps and electrical fencing.

And now… here are four reasons why all these methods make our lives better!

REASON #1: MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD

Sustainable food is grown with fewer toxic chemicals in naturally enriched soil. Sustainably grown crops and animals absorb or eat those nutrients, producing food that’s more nutritious and less toxic.

REASON #2: SAFER ENVIRONMENT

Reducing pollution, chemical use, and soil erosion improves air and water quality for all of us. Fewer asthma triggers and carcinogens are good our health. And by working with nature instead of fighting it, sustainable farmers maintain bio-diversity and functioning eco-systems that the environment needs to stay healthy, too. Sustainable farmers continuously replenish the land so it will be there for future generations.

REASON #3: HAPPIER ANIMALS

Pasture-raised animals can engage in their natural behaviors and eat their natural diet. Not only are the animals happier and healthier, they produce food for us that’s richer in nutrients and healthy fats. And knowing that the animals are being treated humanely just feels good, too.

REASON #4: HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES

Sustainable farmers are exposed to fewer toxins, reduce their costs, and boost their crop yields. So they’re better able to make a living while simultaneously feeding the rest of us and reducing pollution. That contributes to a community with a stronger economy and a healthier environment, the kind of place we all want to live.

So how can you tell if your food was grown sustainably?

It can be hard for the average person to figure out whether each item they eat was produced using sustainable methods. There’s no “sustainable” label at the grocery store. The best solution is to go local and get to know all the farmers who grow your food. Yet that would be seriously time-consuming.

Fortunately, here at Seasonal Roots we check out the local farmers for you. So all you have to do is enjoy the food!

Read about the sustainable practices of these typical Seasonal Roots farmers:
Appalachian Harvest
Keenbell Farm
Saddle Ridge Farm
Victory Farms

For a deeper dive into the health benefits of eating sustainably, read the research collected by the GRACE Communications Foundation, a private foundation that advocates for sustainable alternatives.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

american heart month arugula carrots bread tofu

Celebrate American Heart Month with heart-healthy local foods

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This month, get in the habit of showing your heart some love!

– By the Veggie Fairy Team

Valentines are nice… a healthy ticker is even better! American Heart Month is the perfect time to start getting in the habit of keeping heart-healthy food on hand. That way whipping up a heart-healthy meal or snack for you and your family is really easy and yummy. Local food is a big part of it.

By the way, before we get to the local part, this being Cupid’s month and all, we veggie fairies are happy to report that dark chocolate and red wine are both good for your heart! (Based on personal experience, there are definitely some days when wine and chocolate are really good for mental health, too. Just sayin’…!) The Cleveland Clinic put dark chocolate up against red wine to see if one is better for you than the other. Find out which one was the winner here!

And now, armed with our chocolate and our glass of wine, we’ve got 9 local food suggestions for you from the American Heart Association and the Cleveland Clinic. Watch for these foods in your online farmers market — some are available year-round and some are seasonal. If you put a few of the foods on this list in your Seasonal Roots basket each week, your heart will love you for it!

#1 Dark leafy greens

Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, and watercress are tasty dark greens that grow locally year round and can be used in different ways in a wide variety of recipes. Use them in sandwiches instead of lettuce. They’re a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to heart health.

#2 Whole wheat items

For pasta, breads, and crackers, always opt for whole wheat when you can. It provides more fiber than white flour and is more filling. If you go for 100% whole wheat, you’ll enjoy the full benefits of the fiber and antioxidants.

#3 Tomatoes

This versatile fruit masquerading as a vegetable can be added to most dishes — think salads, pastas, eggs, and sandwiches. Tomatoes are high in antioxidants.

#4 Red, yellow, and orange veggies

Carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, and acorn squash are packed with carotenoids, fiber, and vitamins to help your heart.

#5 Hummus

Legumes in general are great for your blood-pump, and hummus is chock-full of chickpeas, a.k.a. garbanzo beans, a type of legume.

#6 Berries

Everybody loves berries, and local berry season is coming soon! They’re rich in fiber and antioxidants, especially when you eat them in season at their flavorful and nutritional peak.

#7 Tofu

Try marinated tofu in a stir-fry with fresh veggies for a heart-healthy lunch or dinner. The prepared vegan meals in our online farmers market are a super-easy and tasty way to get your tofu, whether your a newbie checking it out or a tofu super fan.

#8 Asparagus

Tender, sweet asparagus is filled with mighty nutrients such as beta-carotene, folate, and fiber, and only provide 25 calories per cup, or 5 calories per large spear.

#9 Broccoli

Crisp, fresh broccoli florets dipped in hummus are a terrific heart-healthy snack with a whopping list of nutrients, including vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium, and fiber.

By eating these foods locally when they’re freshly made or in season, you’re maximizing the nutritional benefits for your heart. Other heart-healthy staples to keep on hand include nuts like almonds and walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, canned or dried legumes, and quinoa, a grain that’s a great source of protein and rich in fiber. So with a clink of our glasses of red wine we say: Here’s to your heart!

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

probiotics prebiotics local food

Boost gut health with probiotics & prebiotics

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The local foods that have them may surprise you!


– By the Veggie Fairy Team

You’ve probably heard of probiotics. But do you know exactly what they are, why they’re important, and that there are a lot of foods you can get them from? Turns out local food is a great source for this vital part of a healthy gut!

What are probiotics?

Most probiotics are “good” bacteria, though some species of yeast have also been ID’d as having probiotic qualities. Once these beneficial micro-organisms are ingested, they set up housekeeping in your digestive tract. The friendly microbes are believed to help you digest your food properly and may protect you from harmful bacteria that cause disease.

What are prebiotics? Are they related?

They are! Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that act as food for probiotics. So you can boost the probiotics in your gut by feeding them prebiotics. The term “synbiotics” refers to foods or products that have both probiotics and prebiotics.

Check out the health benefits!

According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s evidence that probiotics may help:

  • Treat diarrhea, especially after taking certain antibiotics (which can kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut)
  • Treat irritable bowel syndrome
  • Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
  • Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu
  • Ease allergic disorders such as eczema and hay fever

    • Scientists are also studying probiotics and prebiotics to see if they’re effective (and safe) in treating other diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. More research is definitely needed!

    Eat your way to a healthy gut

    You don’t have to take supplements to boost the good work that probiotics are doing inside you. In fact, the best way to get most of the micro-organisms, compounds, minerals, and vitamins that you need is from real live food, not pills. When you get it from food, it’s easier for your body to absorb it and put it to work.

    Here are the local foods to look for

    Both probiotics and the prebiotics that fuel them can be found in lots of local foods. In prepared foods, the key to probiotics is often fermentation. A fermented dairy product like YOGURT contains both live bacteria and the fuel they need to thrive. The local supplier in our online farmers market is Trickling Springs Creamery. Using grassfed milk from local farmers, they make minimally processed yogurt, and BUTTERMILK that’s rich in probiotics, too.

    Fermented dairy’s not your thing? Then how about SOURDOUGH BREAD, like the sourdough boule baked in Ashland, Va., by La Bella Vita Bakery. The fermentation is in the sourdough starter that makes it rise, and sourdough is a source of probiotics.

    For additional tasty ways to get your priobiotics, try naturally fermented SOUR PICKLES, KRAUT, or KIMCHI. Any naturally pickled vegetable will get the job done. Matt’s Dirty Pickles are fermented in brine in Midlothian, Va.

    The prebiotics that feed probiotics can be found in local foods, too. Fresh produce like GREENS (including kale and spinach), ONIONS, LEEKS, GARLIC, and ASPARAGUS, and foods like WHOLE GRAINS, LEGUMES, and HONEY can all be had from local farmers and food artisans in our online farmers market. Yummvees vegan meals are made in Midlothian, and are full of legumes and whole grains. The bees of Alfredo’s Beehive gather their nectar in the toxin-free fields of Manokin-Sabot, Va., and produce the most amazing local honey.

    Are probiotics safe?

    If you’re getting extra probiotics and prebiotics from the food you eat, side effects are rare. Most healthy adults can safely add probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods to their diets. If you’re considering taking supplements, though, check with your doctor to be sure they’re right for you.

    Want to learn more about prebiotics and probiotics? The National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic are both good places to start.

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    local family farms

    Love local family farms!

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    Get to know one of the families who feed your family


    – By the Veggie Fairy Team

    Well, it’s February, and thanks to Valentine’s Day, this is a month that’s all about love and relationships. That perfectly describes how we feel about our farmers and food artisans — we’re falling in love with fresher, more nutritious and tasty local food, and building relationships with the people who grow and make it.

    Last week we all got to know Tracy, one of our newest food artisans and maker of vegan meals, desserts, and snacks. (Read her story: Out of tragedy, a vegan dream is born.) This week, we’d like to introduce you to one of our longtime, old school family farmers: Chris of Deer Run Farm.

    We fairies asked our farmer connector, Sam, what kind of crops Chris harvests for us. Sam started to run through a long list: “Cabbages, all kinds of tomatoes and radishes, broccoli, eggplant, several varieties of peppers, red potatoes, curly kale, collards,” before he ran out of breath and added, “Just to name a few!” There are beautiful photos of Chris’s harvests on the Deer Run Farm Facebook page.

    This weekend, in the middle of winter, we have Chris’s sweet potatoes in our online farmers market. So you can tell it’s quiet on the farm this time of year. Quiet enough for Chris to sit down and talk with us for a little bit. He says he likes meeting the families who buy his produce.

    Veggie Fairy:

    When you meet them, what do they ask you?

    Chris:

    How do you do it all?!

    They look at everything we’re growing and that’s what they want to know. You get up when the sun comes up and work ’til 10-11 o’clock at night. You just work ’til the work is done. You rest up in the winter. But next week already we’ll be getting started in the greenhouse. We’ll start our seedlings of tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower and later we’ll transplant them to the fields. That way the produce is ready earlier in the season.

    Veggie Fairy:

    When you say ‘we’, who’s working with you?

    Chris:

    Mostly my family.

    My mom Mildred, my wife Britney, and my two daughters, Emily and Sidney, plus a few hired hands in the summer. And my in-laws help out at the farmers markets. We’re all right here on the farm. My mom’s in the house I grew up in, and I bought the old 100-year-old farmhouse across the road.
    (Watch a video of the girls transplanting seedlings from the back of one of Chris’s antique tractors!)

    Veggie Fairy:

    So tell us about your tractors!

    Chris:

    I have a lot of old tractors.

    With the old ones, I can work on them. Most of mine are from the ’70s. The newer tractors are all computerized, and someone else has to hook them up to a computer to figure out what’s wrong. With mine, I can do the work myself.
    (Watch a video that shows how the wheels of one of his old tractors are designed to avoid crushing the seedlings his girls are planting.)

    Veggie Fairy:

    Have you always been a farmer?

    Chris:

    I was born into it.

    My father and grandfather farmed in the Short Pump area near Richmond, back when it was fields and forests instead of malls and big box stores. Then in 1979, when I was 5, we moved out here to King William County and we’ve been farming this 100 acres ever since. I like working outside. When I got older I worked as a machinist during the day and farmed at night. I did that for 15 years ’til I got let go, and I thought, well, I’ll try farming fulltime. I’ve been doing that since 2005, so it’s turning out all right. The members of Seasonal Roots and Dominion Harvest (FAIRY NOTE: Seasonal Roots and Dominion Harvest joined forces last year) — the support of their members has been helpful because you can plant more knowing you have an outlet.

    Veggie Fairy:

    What kind of sustainable farming methods do you use?

    Chris:

    We use drip irrigation to conserve water, and we’re low- or no-spray.

    We don’t spray for pests unless we see something, and we aim for a one-day interval. That means it’s the kind of thing that disappears quickly so you can get back in the field within one day. We keep our own bees and we don’t want to kill the bees. We also use drip application, so we don’t spray it on the fruit.
    (Watch a video of pollinators hard at work on Deer Run Farm.)

    *

    Family farms like Chris’s are the heart of Seasonal Roots and the local food movement. If you want peace of mind about the food you’re eating, you have to know and trust the farmers!

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    Yummvees vegan meals

    Out of tragedy, a vegan dream is born

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    Yummvees vegan meals & treats come to Seasonal Roots


    – By the Veggie Fairy Team and Tracy, owner of Yummvees

    You don’t have to be vegan to appreciate totally plant-based food — when done right, it’s so awesomely delicious that the nutritious, eco-friendly part is like icing on the cinnamon bun! That’s why we fairies are all aflutter about teaming up with a local family business that knows how to do it right.

    Yummvees in Midlothian, Va., cooks up freshly made vegan meals, desserts, and snacks. The meals are ready-to-heat, which makes it super convenient — you don’t have to sacrifice nutrition on those days when you’re just too busy and tired to cook.

    But first we want to introduce you to Tracy, the woman behind Yummvees. Her story is inspiring, and as you get to know her, you’re going to feel as good about being nourished by her as we do.

    VEGGIE FAIRY:

    How did Yummvees get started?

    TRACY:

    In 2015, a life changing event happened to my family.

    My son, John, passed away at birth. Shortly after this I had a true life wake up call. I felt like I had to act on that dream that had always been in the back of my head (we all have them) but I’d never pursued — the dream of making the world a better place through plant-based food. I have always loved cooking for others and, of course, my respect for animals and all living beings is immense. I HAD to act on that dream… to honor my son. So in 2016, Yummvees was officially born as a 100% vegan/plant-based food service/catering facility.

    Yummvees vegan BBQ Crispy Tofu w Brown Rice & Broccoli

    BBQ Crispy Tofu w Brown Rice & Broccoli

    VEGGIE FAIRY:

    Starting a business you believe in — has it turned out to be everything you hoped it would be?

    TRACY:

    Every minute has been wonderful!

    We provide weekly individual meal options, baked goods, granola, various sweets, family sized meals, and bulk side items. Our individual meal menus change week to week, so as to keep folks engaged, trying new things, and excited for the next week. Every day, I have the distinct honor (and it really is that), to share wonderful, healthy, and indulgent foods with people, all in honor of my child who is not here with us.

    Yummvees vegan Butternut Squash Mac N Cheez

    Butternut Squash Mac N Cheez

    VEGGIE FAIRY:

    Are most of your customers vegan?

    TRACY:

    Oh no, just the opposite.

    Most of our customer base is not vegan, which I particularly love, because we are exposing them to foods that they may not have otherwise tried… and it’s allowing them to add more veggies/beans/legumes and different protein sources to their diet. We use very minimal processed ingredients and almost everything that we produce is handmade — if it isn’t yet, we are probably working on experimenting with it.

    Yummvees vegan Cinnamon Buns

    Cinnamon Buns

    VEGGIE FAIRY:

    You also donate a portion of sales, right?

    TRACY:

    That’s right. Every month, we donate a portion of our total sales

    to a chosen organization/family and tend to focus on bereaved parents, animal related organizations… or just someone that we see, who needs a little bit of help. On our website homepage, we list who we are donating to (unless it’s an individual, we do that privately) so that others can see who they are supporting by purchasing from us. We also allow our supporters to make individual contributions, plus we share links to other giving opportunities. THIS is how we honor our child. And we are so lucky to have an amazing community of people, small business owners who support each other, and new customers every day who allow us to make at least a tiny bit of a difference.

    Yummvees vegan Almond Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

    Almond Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

    VEGGIE FAIRY:

    As a family business, who does what?

    TRACY:

    I do most of the cooking, but we truly are a family operation.

    My older daughter Selena is our primary delivery person. When I do the deliveries, people chuckle as I walk to their door juggling Joni, my 9-month-old daughter, and their food order. Yeah, there’s quite a gap between Selena and Joni — I get many chuckles there, too!

    Yummvees is a family affair

    Yummvees is a family affair!

    VEGGIE FAIRY:

    What are your hopes for the future?

    TRACY:

    Looking ahead, we are excited about our expansion!

    And our ability to give back more, working within our community to make it a better one, and to keep showing folks how plant-based foods are amazing. We are so thrilled and excited to work with Seasonal Roots by offering folks more options for plant-based/vegan foods and I am ecstatic to be cooking for a whole new crowd of folks! Happy eating!

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    good olive oil health benefits

    The secret to really good olive oil

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    How to spot it, store it, and why it matters


    – By Margo L, neighborhood Market Manager

    Using a really good olive oil matters because it’s as good for you as it is delicious. Good olive oil is the secret to the nutritious Mediterranean diet, which is associated with long life. The health benefits? Olive oil fights inflammation and osteoporosis, reduces the risk of cancer and diabetes, slows the aging of the heart, protects against depression… and the list goes on! (Read more about the health benefits here.)

    Plus, a good olive oil can enhance flavors and make your fresh delicious local produce even more mouth-watering. But a bad olive oil can knock it down to “Meh” or even “Blech!” So here’s the secret to finding a good one and keeping it that way.

    1. Go extra virgin


    It’s the highest standard for olive oil, regulated by various organizations, including the International Olive Oil Council. To be considered “extra virgin olive oil”, the oil should have no defects and must be unrefined, meaning it has never been treated with chemicals or heat.

    2. Start fresh

    Look for the “bottled on” or “best before” date. Look closely at the label in the photo with this post: See where it says “BBD 11 2018”? That’s the Best Before Date, November 2018, and that means it was pressed recently — fresh, and good for you, too. If you can’t find a date, keep shopping. You want to be able to use it all within a year or less of pressing. If you just can’t get your hands on olive oil with a date, buy only as much as you can use within 2 months and use it with abandon!

    3. Protect your EVOO from HALT

    Translation: Store and use your extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in a way that will protect it from heat, air, light, and time (HALT). This will preserve its healthful properties and keep it from becoming a health hazard full of free radicals. The fact is, oils are fragile. The four elements of HALT break it down and create free radicals, which eventually lead to excessive oxidation and rancidity. Rancid oil will leave a bad taste in your mouth… and worse: While it doesn’t pose a food-safety type of health risk, rancid oil harms cells, uses up precious antioxidants, and contributes to heart disease and cancer. The thing is, rancidity can set in long before you can taste it or smell it. So pay attention to those pressing and bottling dates!

    4. Use the right storage container

    The best storage containers are made of either tinted glass (to keep the light out) or a nonreactive metal, such as stainless steel. Avoid most plastic, too. Oil can absorb noxious substances such as polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) out of the plastic. Containers also need a tight cap to keep out unwanted air. Experts recommend storing oil at 57 degrees, the temperature of a wine cellar. A room temperature of 70 degrees will be fine, though, as long as it’s away from heat sources like your oven or stovetop.

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    New Years Resolution eat healthy

    Try this easy New Years Resolution

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    Eat healthy in 2018!


    – By the Veggie Fairy Team

    In this era of fast food, junk food, and crazy busy schedules, healthy eating can be hard. But local food makes it easy! So make “healthy eating” your #1 New Years Resolution, and Seasonal Roots will smooth the way for you. To start, here are 7 easy tips to help you keep your resolution.

    1. Order weekly


    If you haven’t already signed up for Seasonal Roots, do it now and order every week. Online ordering is quick and convenient, and delivery is free to your home or office, saving you time. By ordering every week, you’re getting local food that’s fresh from the fields, so it’s loaded with healthy nutrients (not to mention flavor!)

    2. Avoid supermarket mindgames


    Seasonal candy displays… scent machines to lure you to the bakery… “free” junk food samples… sugary cereals at kids-eye-level… oversized shopping carts… These are just some of the psychological marketing tricks that supermarkets use to fool you into filling your cart with unhealthy food! (Read this Washington Post article for the inside scoop.) By getting your fresh stuff delivered weekly, you won’t have to go to the supermarket as often. And before you go, be sure to eat first, take a list, and focus on stocking up on items you can store. That will make it easier to stay out of their devious clutches.

    3. Eat it raw


    The fact is, food that’s freshly picked or just-made simply tastes better. Time is the enemy, so if it’s fresh, it still has all its original flavor along with its nutrients. You don’t have to do anything fancy to it to make it taste delicious!

    4. Roast it


    If you don’t like it raw, you can still keep it simple. Set your oven at 400 degrees, chop and toss your veggies in olive oil, then spread them on a baking sheet. Roasting releases the natural sugars inside, making everything even more mouth-wateringly delicious. Depending on their size and density, your roasted veggies will be ready to eat within 20 minutes to an hour.

    5. Steam it


    Keep in mind that some nutrients are actually easier for your body to extract and process if the veggies are cooked. For example, spinach and other greens do you more good when you cook it first. Steaming is quick and easy. Then sprinkle with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and you’ve got instant delish.

    6. Use a slow cooker


    Too busy to cook? Just throw everything in a slow cooker, and voila, you’ve got an easy home-cooked meal and probably leftovers, too. Eating healthy local food made from scratch doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of time in the kitchen (unless you want it to!) Here are some tips on how to make a slow cooker work for you.

    7. Don’t wait for spring


    If you think there’s nothing local and healthy to eat in the winter, think again! There are plenty of superfoods among the produce we harvest in Virginia in the fall and winter, and some of them store well, too. Here’s a handy list of local superfoods that will boost your health starting right now!

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    avocado regional food vs local food

    Tropical fruit in Virginia?! Regional food vs local food

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    Regional food vs local food: What’s the difference?


    – By the Veggie Fairy Team

    Sometimes it’s obvious: If an apple comes from New Zealand, it’s not local, at least not here in Virginia. If it’s an avocado like the one in the picture, that didn’t grow round these parts, either. But what if it comes from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or even Florida?

    What’s the difference between regional food vs local food?

    There’s no official definition for ‘local food’ or ‘regional food’. Seasonal Roots considers food ‘local’ if it’s grown or made within about 150 miles of where we deliver. We call it ‘regional’ if it’s outside that range but can still get to us within a day or so of harvest without flying.

    Any further than that and it isn’t fresh enough or nutritious or flavorful enough for us, and probably comes with a bigger carbon foot-print, too. Click here to read why local — and regional — produce is better for you.

    So most of our online farmers market items are local, and in the winter we add regional items from Florida.

    One thing you’ll never see in our market is anything from New Zealand, or even California. (And nothing grown by Big Industrial Agriculture, either. We partner with family farmers only.)

    What if I want to eat local food only?

    regional food vs local foodTake a good look at this picture. Can you tell the local food from the regional food in that basket-worth of items? When you’re shopping our online farmers market, you never have to guess because we always tell you where it was grown by which family farmer.

    That’s important, because some of our members take satisfaction in eating only what nature can provide in season here in Virginia. They keep all their food dollars local and avoid things like tropical fruits that don’t grow this far north. After all, humans survive just fine on different diets the world over.

    Other members enjoy the variety that regional options offer, especially in winter. When snow’s on the ground, they’re willing to go a little farther afield to enjoy produce like oranges and avocados grown by family farmers in Florida.

    Seasonal Roots is here to support your choice, whether you choose to eat 100% local or occasionally go regional. We always make it clear where each item in our online farmers market is grown or made. That way you can choose the food that’s right for you, good for you, and still good for our planet, too!

    For tropical fruit lovers: Meet V&B Farms

    Tropical fruits are an important part of a healthy diet — as pirates and other seafarers discovered when they got scurvy! But citrus doesn’t grow in Virginia.

    So as part of our commitment to eat food from the closest farms possible, during the winter months we partner with V&B Farms in Florida. These Sunshine State farmers can grow the citrus and other tropical and summery fruits like those avocados that we need for a healthy diet – but can’t grow up here in Virginia.

    Coming from nearby Florida, V&B’s produce will travel far less than produce from California or Central and South America. That means it’s fresher, riper, tastier, and still packed with nutrients. And it’s better for the environment, since less travel equals less pollution.

    v and b farms regional foodThe farmers behind V&B are Tommy Vick and Brandon Boyd, who have known each other since they were in diapers.

    Tommy’s a fourth generation farmer who was driving the family’s tractors by the time he was seven. Now he volunteers his time at local schools to help promote the next generation of Florida growers.

    Brandon’s a fifth generation horticulturist. With a degree in horticulture technology, he has worked on research to make aquaponics more sustainable.

    We’re glad to support Tommy and Brandon as they focus on the future of local, sustainable farming right here in our region!

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    love local leeks recipes & health benefits

    How I learned to love leeks

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    Recipes & health benefits to help you love leeks at the farmers market!


    – By Duane, founder & Head Veggie Fairy

    I love when the winter months come and we have fresh, local leeks in the kitchen. My first farm encounter with leeks was on a nice fall day. I was standing in a field out at Charlie Collins’ Victory Farms in Henrico. Charlie sold his produce at in-person farmers markets — by the way, many of those are closed this time of year, but he now sells through the Seasonal Roots online farmers market, too, which is open year-round.

    Anyway, back before Victory Farms began selling through Seasonal Roots, I was out there in the field looking at a fifty-foot-long row of leeks. They were at the peak of ripeness and ready for harvest. But Charlie was about to till them all under. Why? He’d learned there was no point hauling them to market – no one wanted them. A tragedy!

    Guess what, they’re good for you

    They looked so beautiful and smelled so fresh out in the field that I was determined to learn about these gems. I soon discovered that they’re a close relative of the simple yellow onion – but better. A single leek (about a cup) contains just 54 calories. So it makes you feel full without fattening you up.

    And leeks are loaded with vitamins! One whole leek gives you at least half the recommended daily dose of vitamins A and K, plus significant amounts of compounds that help protect your vision. Click here to get all the details on the health benefits.

    Easy to cook, too

    There are lots of ways to put leeks to work. The first recipe I remember making with leeks was a fish dish. I grilled flounder (any fresh fish will do) with a little salt, and caramelized freshly harvested leeks. That was all it took to make a meal that I will never forget – the taste was amazing! Now I use leeks in stews, soups, omelets, and more.

    We’ve pulled together a variety of leek recipes right here on Pinterest to help you give them a try. There’s something for everyone, including two potato-and-leek soup options, with and without the cream. Enjoy!

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

    fight hunger with local food

    4 ways you can help fight hunger

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    Giving is always in season


    – By the Seasonal Roots Veggie Fairy Team

    On delivery day last week, the day before Thanksgiving, one of our neighborhood Market Managers, Nickie, posted this on Facebook:
    “I’m volunteering with the 25 Project to provide meals to roughly 500 homeless living in shelters and tent cities in DC and Northern Virginia tomorrow. I reached out to the good people at Seasonal Roots to see if they could send some surplus veggies my way, and boy did they deliver. Literally. All of this was waiting for me on the truck this morning. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the farmers and founders who were able to provide all this nutritious produce to those in our area who so desperately need it. Stay tuned for updates on the mass cooking project going down in my house tonight as I prepare for tomorrow!”

    Our Chief Happiness Officer, Lesley, shared NIckie’s Post on our Facebook page, adding:
    “We get so excited when we’re given the chance to share the love of local, especially when it’s to those in need. We are incredibly thankful for sweet souls like Nickie who help spread that love.”

    Later that day, Nickie posted an update:
    “Thank you again! Meals were served to 525 people yesterday. We couldn’t have done it without your extreme generosity.”

    4 ways to help

    From our Hub in Richmond, Sam, our Farmer Connector, regularly donates any excess produce to FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank. In this season of giving, if you’re feeling led to support an organization like that, here are four different ways you can do it:

    1. Just by ordering your weekly basket from your online farmers market, you’re making it possible for Seasonal Roots to donate fresh local food on behalf of all of us.
    2. You can also make your own food donations.
    3. You can volunteer your time and talent.
    4. And you can donate money — charities can always put cash to good use!

    Looking for a local charity near you where you can help feed your neighbors? FeedMore helps the hungry throughout Central Virginia, from the North Carolina border up through Richmond to the Northern Neck. Check them out — they offer an amazing array of food-related services to families in need.

    If you live closer to the coast in the Hampton Roads area, the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank offers an equally impressive array of services that deserve your support.

    And in Northern Virginia, the Capital Area Food Bank could use your help fighting suburban hunger.

    All three of these charities are top-rated by Charity Navigator. So you can trust they’ll be good stewards of your dollars, and offer meaningful opportunities for volunteering.

    ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS


    Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.