First, my nose and toes have been purple all week- its freezing out here on the farm. With all the terrifying predictions of snow, I envisaged ruined vegetables buried under mountains of snow. In fact, we have got off with a very light covering, and some really sharp frosts. The chief sufferers have been the gang down the farm; the wind seems to penetrate any number of layers, and fingers needed to be agile feel like immobile blocks of ice. A huge thanks to some of the unsung heroes of the food industry, doggedly and good-naturedly battling on in conditions that most people no longer experience.
Next week is PURPLE LOVE WEEK. What is it? check www.purplelove.co.uk
Its an opportunity to support local independent suppliers such as Eden Farms during Valentine's week. Just another marketing hype? Maybe, but it has a serious side.
Vegetables are not very romantic , certainly not in February, and we always miss out on any fun at Valentines day- so this certainly appeals. We have carefully planned our veg boxes for the week to be full of seasonal purple vegetables! And we are giving a 10% discount on all purple vegetables purchased from out farmer's markets during this period!
Purple Love Week is a bit of a giggle for independent suppliers only: its here to draw consumer's attention to us. Lacking the marketing resources of larger companies, a small farm such as Eden Farms can struggle to compete in the battle to relieve consumers of their cash! Purple Love Week is to remind everyone out there that small suppliers have something different and unique to offer shoppers. We have not gone down the corporate route adopted by many box schemes, and we are dedicated not only to our customers, but also to ourselves, our vision, our farm and our staff! We're worth it! Eat Purple!
Friday 9 February 2007
Tuesday 6 February 2007
e- business award finalist!
Eden Farms is somehow a finalist in this years East midlands Development Agency e- commerce awards! see www.ebusinessclub.biz Great excitement all round to discover that we have been chosen out of all these hi-tech businesses as a bit of alright!
I tend to think of Eden Farms growing our organic vegetables in a sort of time warp compared to most of the cities like Nottingham and Leicester, that we deliver to. So it was all the more thrilling to be acknowledged as an e-business contender!
Apart from the recognition, and the award, there is a big Gala dinner, which 5 of our girls, dressed to kill in evening gowns ( watch this space for pictures), will be attending, champagne will flow, and I have to say, they certainly know how to party!! As in,- Eden Farms- the noisy table....
Part of the ceremony involves a 30- second video of our operation, and yesterday, a lone camera man braved the rural depth of Lincolnshire to film our tiny office, and staff muffled up in scarves and gloves packing vegetables; and of course, the organic vegetables themselves.
Apparently, there is also going to be a video of the Gala event, and , as unfortunately, I will be unable to attend, I look forward to a second-hand view of any outrageous behaviour....
I tend to think of Eden Farms growing our organic vegetables in a sort of time warp compared to most of the cities like Nottingham and Leicester, that we deliver to. So it was all the more thrilling to be acknowledged as an e-business contender!
Apart from the recognition, and the award, there is a big Gala dinner, which 5 of our girls, dressed to kill in evening gowns ( watch this space for pictures), will be attending, champagne will flow, and I have to say, they certainly know how to party!! As in,- Eden Farms- the noisy table....
Part of the ceremony involves a 30- second video of our operation, and yesterday, a lone camera man braved the rural depth of Lincolnshire to film our tiny office, and staff muffled up in scarves and gloves packing vegetables; and of course, the organic vegetables themselves.
Apparently, there is also going to be a video of the Gala event, and , as unfortunately, I will be unable to attend, I look forward to a second-hand view of any outrageous behaviour....
Saturday 3 February 2007
Sunny Saturday
Last night was the first truly cold frost for some time, coming just as we are cutting the first tunnel organic lettuce. If the weather is cold enough to freeze the leaves, particularly when they have hearts, the morning sun will rupture the cell walls( ice expands- remember physics GCSE?), and a week later, that nasty brown slime we all hate!
But a careful examination when the frost had burned away in a brilliant sun so hot that I was in my T shirt, looks like they have got away with it, last night, at least...
Down the farm, the row upon row of different green vegetables gleamed and grew; organic vegetables are dependent for their nitrogen( the stuff that keeps leaves green and shiney) on bacterial soil activity, which in turn, depends on temperature. This winter our greens are beautiful, none of that blue-around-the-mouth-and pallid-with-it look that we sometimes see. It has to be said that the skill of the farmer has a lot to do with it! but the mild winter so far has been a great help.
But a careful examination when the frost had burned away in a brilliant sun so hot that I was in my T shirt, looks like they have got away with it, last night, at least...
Down the farm, the row upon row of different green vegetables gleamed and grew; organic vegetables are dependent for their nitrogen( the stuff that keeps leaves green and shiney) on bacterial soil activity, which in turn, depends on temperature. This winter our greens are beautiful, none of that blue-around-the-mouth-and pallid-with-it look that we sometimes see. It has to be said that the skill of the farmer has a lot to do with it! but the mild winter so far has been a great help.
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