Ten years ago we had people stopping at the farms roadside stand and say "I didn't know there was anything other than a red tomato!". That was when we could show them maybe 25 varieties. These days those same folks are returning with choosier attitudes and comments such as "I'm really looking for a Vintage Wine" or "no, that one doesn't do it for me". It is our fault perhaps that this year we are presenting customers with choice from over 200 varieties at the roadside stand and markets in Toronto. Year after year we keep adding and taking away a variety or two but the collection always seems to grow alongside the customers familiarity with almost always anything but a "red tomato!"

Heirloom Tomatoes can often be found on supermarket shelves any time of year. Pretty, but almost always tasteless thanks to greenhouse growing and chemical food, these tomatoes have been grown for their looks and durability. Not for their ability to convey the true depth of character of their agricultural and culinary ancestry. Heirloom tomatoes didn't evolve in a greenhouse on intravenous, their homeland is outside in the soil. This is where their true character is revealed. Shined on by the sun, the moon and the stars. Fed by the matter, minerals and the tiny creatures that make up what we call soil. Exposed to the rain, the wind, the hot days and cool nights of their finest hours - heirloom Tomatoes can now rely on their heritage and expose their true nature! 

Each and every heirloom tomato has a unique set of characteristics - colour, skin thickness, texture, acidity, sugar level, durability, culinary uses, plant size and shape, sexuality, age longevity and even immunity... Not least though is that of their taste on our tongues, which thankfully sums up all these other characteristics combined.

Whether eaten raw. Cooked down in a sauce. Roasted in a wood fired oven. Or even dried. Heirloom tomatoes can bring a whole new experience to a world dominated by the "red tomato" all year long. We highly recommend you try it for yourself and take advantage of this seasonal wonder!

My wife and partner in the farming business Vicki recently came to the conclusion that one of the reasons she farms is all because of the sweet pea. Also called commonly shelling peas, pod peas or english peas.  Vicki remembers her mother pulling whole plants from a field to take to the cottage for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Everyone would sit around shelling, chatting and enjoying the warm June breezes along the shore of Half Moon Bay.

Vicki is not alone with her fond memories of shelling and gorging on the sweet tender morsels that usher in summer. Not just the "pea" but the "act" of sitting and patiently extracting the pea from the pod. Building the skill one shell at a time and being rewarded with the surprises within. Sitting as a group and conversing freely, where conversation comes second and just flows around the many fingers efficiently working away. It is a time of freedom and joy. The talk is not forced or even required. Eyes are focussed on the task. It is something that the old can pass on the the young. Not just the shelling of the pea but the time spent together being productive, nourishing the soul and the belly at the same time. 

Shelling peas can only happen for a brief period of the year. Coincidentally when the weather is bliss. When the days are long. When the birds sing loud. When nature shows off it's peak of productivity. It is not surprising that there are so many fond memories around the simple business of harvesting a sweet perfect nourishing fruit from its wrapper.

Just yesterday Vicki grabbed some shelling peas "to go" when she went to pick up Sage from daycare ... Sage was disappointed ... she told Vicki "I don't like peas" ... (since when?) ... then Vicki asked if she could count how many were in each pod. She couldn't stop counting and eating. One of those pods had 14 peas in it ... it's maybe a new world record folks, yes 14 very yummy peas in 1 pod. Needless to say... it was a good game. In too many ways.

If you don't grow them, try picking up some shelling peas, sit down with your grandmother, a friend, a kid, or whomever happens to be near. See what transpires. It will be a time to remember.  : )

Vicki's Veggies Veggie-Bucks is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program designed to provide the farm with financial support year-round. Support that comes from the same community that Vicki's Veggies supplies with products directly from the farm. Consumers can put their money where their mouths are and support a sustainable farm-to-fork experience. Buying vouchers puts money back into the local economy, supports ecological agriculture and keeps small family farming on the map in rural Ontario.

Mid-winter special runs to the end of March. 

Visit the farm's website for more details.

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We all eat. Everyday. 

Voting with you wallet can make a huge difference.

Next time you take money from your wallet, you could ask yourself “what is this dollar doing for me?” 

Is it keeping me and my family healthy?

Is it going to the people who grew this food?

Is it keeping our air and water source clean?

Is it protecting soil and farmland for future generations?

Is it easy on our natural resources?

Is it creating opportunities for others in my community?

Is it supporting a safe and healthy workplace?

Is it becoming “green” money?

Each and everyday we use food to nourish our body, mind and soul. We need it, we share it in times of communion with others. It stimulates our sensory systems and offers an outlet for pure creativity. We enjoy the pleasure it creates.

Food is also essential for our survival and productivity. It is an integral part of our economic systems. We are intimately entwined in a natural system of the sun’s energy being converted and transformed into the food we eat. And all of our activities result from our ability to feed ourselves. Keeping that food system healthy should be a priority and it is something we can take care of!

We all make choices everyday. Simply choosing how and where you spend your money on food can create a snowball effect of positive change. Exchanging your money within food systems that play a positive role in your community can go a long way towards not only your health, but also the health and wellness of economies down the path of a sustainable future.

Act now for results on your vote!

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