From Farm to Freezer

The leaves are changing colors, the frost is on its way, fields will soon be put to bed, and the season of fresh, delicious local produce is coming to a close.  Fortunately, the end of the season does not mean the end of fresh, local produce thanks to the ingenuity of Winter Sun Farms, a winter CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).

In Asheville, Winter Sun Farms (WSF) is a project of Blue Ridge Food Ventures.  WSF takes locally grown produce, at the peak of ripeness, and processes and freezes it.  Individuals can subscribe to the CSA to receive frozen produce diced and chopped to perfection, along with other goodies, including recipes involving the produce! Individuals can pick up their share once a month from December to March. Curious as to how this operation works and what farmers they receive produce from? So was I. So I decided to follow the food from farm to freezer.

On a lovely Wednesday afternoon I met with Tom Kousky of Hominy Valley Organic Farm, while he was picking peppers to be processed at Blue Ridge Food Ventures (just a few miles away, talk about fresh!) on Friday, for Winter Sun Farms. Tom explained that Winter Sun Farms comes to him and other farmers in the spring to talk about what  produce they are looking for.  This year, Tom contracted with WSF to grow 600lbs of green beans and 400lbs of butternut squash.  In addition, Tom explained, he has provided them with about 300 lbs. of squash, 100 lbs. of peppers, and 50 lbs. of okra, all of which would have been dumped or rotted if it wasn’t for WSF.  Tom describes WSF as being very supportive of local farmers, getting as many people involved as possible, and creating a broad base of farmers for their CSA.  He says that WSF has helped him tremendously as a grower. It is undeniable that WSF is great for the producer and solves the issue of seasonality, but what about the processing?  That was my next stop.

I showed up at 9AM on Friday (two days after my farm visit) to help process the vegetables and see them enter the freezer. Tom Kousky and another farmer, both with farms located just a few miles away, came by to drop off their produce.  That day WSF processed tomatoes, peppers, okra, apples, and blueberries for the freezer.  Tom Kousky’s peppers (picked no more than 48 hours prior) were washed and then chopped to be ready for the CSA.  Everyone processing the vegetables had experience doing so and all were very enthusiastic about the CSA.  The peppers were in the freezer less than 48 hours after being picked.  This means they will taste phenomenal and fresh this winter! Winter Sun Farms is a remarkable project that affords consumers the opportunity to have incredibly local produce year round, without having to go through the hassle of processing themselves.

Check out the photographic journey of the peppers below, from farm to freezer!

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And if your heart was aching because you thought you could no longer get fresh produce, have no fear! Winter Sun Farms is here!  So sign up and enjoy tasty local produce year round!