In farming there is always something; it is not a closed system, we have the weather to contend with, and last week it was challenging to say the least. Rain and more rain, the tractor tracks down to our far field resemble something out of the world-war 1 trenches, deep mud ruts and tracks. We actually got stuck in the muck with the tractor a couple of times, and believe me it is not easy to get stuck with a tractor, so that gives you some idea of the level of muck.

The last salad planting of the season


The cucumber plant grabbed the cucumber


Fresh Red Russian kale

So amid all this chaos my mind has been considering value. I know that we can have the best ethical and environmentally sustainable produce in the world, but in order to appeal to the less hardened foodie or environmentalist, we have got to provide value for money that's as they say the bottom line isn't it?

Let’s say you spend €21 on a large veg box with us what do you get and if you bought that stuff individually and in the supermarket what would you pay?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the large veg box this week what’s in it and what it costs what the corresponding organic veg would cost in Tesco.
 

 

So that’s pretty good I would say. All of that stuff is grown in Galway, it is very fresh and it is delivered to your door and the delivery is FREE. That’s less trips you have to make to the supermarket, that is less impulse buys. What’s not to like about it?


Fresh Green Curly Kale


Our own Fresh broccoli



We have started selling a range of nuts and seeds and I wanted to check that our prices were in line with other retailers, so I took two well know establishments that sell nuts and seeds and other bits and here is how the comparisons worked out:


 

Value is all very well but how about quality. Out first and foremost factor in delivering our veg is quality, and I can talk until the cows come home about how great our stuff is, but what do people who buy and eat it think. Well we had some lovely feedback from one of our customers last week and this is what he said:

“Just to say what a wonderful veg box we received today: even better than the usual. Your root crops seem to be fantastic at the moment (we added the onions and carrots to your glazed turnip/parsnip recipe). The cucumber was wonderfully fresh. I don't think I've smelt one likeit since i was very young (does that sound really weird?).

Just to let you know that your hard work to produce superior veg is

not unappreciated...”

Matthew Harrison, Devon Park, Salthill.


The first of the winter/savoy cabbage


Fresh Thyme


Health: Beetroot and the Blood

Beetroot is an excellent source of both Iron and vitamin C, making it a wonderful blood-building tonic. Iron needs plenty of vitamin C in order to be absorbed so this 2in1 solution is excellent for anybody who suffers from anaemia, is recovering from illness, or for athletes who require higher levels of iron. It may also support energy levels of women at their time of menstruation, particularly if they typically lose a lot of blood.

To get the greatest nutritional benefit from this food, reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. Sugar may reduce levels of vitamin C in the body, reducing the absorption of Iron. Enjoy every part of the beetroot – leaves, stems and roots!

Eleanor Winters, of Embody Health, runs a Nutritional Therapy practice on the Sean Mulvoy Road, Galway. Visit her facebook page EmbodyHealthNutrition for regular health tips, read her articles in Galway Now magazine, or contact her directly at 087-6898731, or eleanor.winters@gmail.com to book an appointment.


Recipes : Beetroot

Honey Roasted Organic Beetroot

Organic Beetroot Fritters & Smoked Salmon

Cormac Handy www.thehandykitchen.com will be providing bespoke and excellent practical recipes each week to help you get the very best from your lovely fresh veg.

Download his free iPhone app today http://tinyurl.com/HandyKitchenApp