Delivering In The Dead of Winter
Is it possible to eat local in the thick of winter?
Yes! Zone 7's winter selection improves every year as our growers explore ways to extend the season and invest in year-round production. If you associate winter with dormancy, you'd be surprised at the activity we see each week:
- Approaching February, Rich Marolda and his crew continue to harvest spinach from the field.
- White Star grows butterhead lettuce and tomatoes in its greenhouse.
- Orchards like Terhune and Solebury offer a diverse supply of apples.
- Paradise Hill dips into its bog to harvest heirloom cranberries.
- Evergreen Farm bags its dry beans and boxes its Asian pears.
- Oak Grove delivers grains like wheat berries, corn meal, and popcorn.
- Cherry Grove and Valley Shepherd enter their caves to retrieve artisan cheeses.
- And we continue to stock up on an array of cold-season staples, such as sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and winter squash.
Right now we're busy meeting with farmers to talk about the coming growing season, and one of the most exciting opportunities we see is the swelling market for quality winter products. We want to challenge the perception that local produce can only be a summer luxury. Snow-covered fields won't deter us from delivering the region's best local food!
Who's Who in the Local Food Chain?
Promoting the network of farmers, chefs and retailers who are passionate about local food has always been vital to Zone 7’s mission, and one way we like to do that is by profiling them on our website. Right now you can click on more than 40 farms, restaurants, and grocers to learn more about where local food comes from, who's using it, and why that's important.
Our homepage always showcases featured farms, restaurants, or grocers, and over time we'll continue to add more profiles to give our customers and the general public a dynamic picture of the local-food system.
Mid-Summer Update!
Chef Ross Olchvary from Sprig & Vine shows off his grilled zucchini rolls.
We want to thank everyone who attended our recent sold-out “Dinners on the Farm” event at Blooming Glen Farm! Despite a gloomy forecast of rain, the day remained cheerful and (mostly) bright. Tricia from Blooming Glen accurately called it a “farm to picnic blanket” dinner. Nearly 200 people came to enjoy Triumph Brewing Company of New Hope and Sprig & Vine’s exquisite food and drink, as well as oWowCow’s ice cream, while taking in the mid-summer scene of an expertly managed farm and the sounds of Riverside Bluegrass Band. We hope everyone had fun!
Speaking of mid-summer, here at Z7 we are approaching a pretty magical time of year. As summer produce hits it zenith, fall crops begin to arrive. And then it’s all on the table: tomatoes, apples, carrots, squash, broccoli, potatoes – you name it. What a great time to visit the restaurants that focus on transforming these special products into stunning meals. Find one on our recently updated list of partnering restaurants and grocers!
Featured Restaurant:
Nomad Pizza
Nomad Pizza began as a traveling food truck. Spurred by a novel idea, owners Tom Grim and Stalin Bedon bought and restored a 1949 REO Speedwagon, flipping a pizza oven on its back in the process. Still operating, the root beer and vanilla colored truck is a full-service pizzeria on wheels. MORE >
Featured School:
West New York Public Schools
West New York school district is dedicated to improving the overall health of its students, and the school's initiatives have earned star appeal. President Clinton recently visited to praise the school's effort in transforming its nutritional program. Food Network star Rachael Ray has also visited, giving a few of her recipes to the school's cafeteria.
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