After touring the fields, we went to the Taylor Farms processing facility to see romaine lettuce get processed earlier than distribution to varied meals service corporations and eating places. Reminder that processing isn’t a foul phrase! On this case, it was being washed, chopped and bagged/boxed. It was fascinating to see the eye to meals security on the facility. When huge outbreaks of food-borne sickness make the information, I’ve seen the place it makes folks afraid of the meals that was linked to the outbreak. Relating to meals manufacturing, definitely, there are some dangerous actors on the market however different occasions dangerous issues simply occur, regardless of excessive warning. At Taylor Farms, there are a number of further layers of meals security protocols added because the produce will get nearer to packaging. Professional tip: for those who’re shopping for pre-washed lettuce, don’t wash it once more at dwelling once more, as you’re extra prone to simply contaminate it with one thing out of your kitchen.
After lunch we had a extremely enjoyable dialog with the workforce at Taylor Farms. One of many issues I actually appreciated was how clear they had been. Someday after I do trade occasions there’s quite a lot of defensiveness, however I actually appreciated that they had been in a position to discuss actually overtly about challenges and areas for development. I cherished studying concerning the work they’re doing introducing with extra sustainable packaging, particularly because it’s a mission the corporate my husband works for is part of (my husband is a meals packaging engineer). We additionally talked loads about how local weather change is impacting meals manufacturing. One factor that basically blew my thoughts was studying how due to local weather change, many areas will not be conducive to natural farming anymore. A few of their manufacturing is having to maneuver to extra steady, colder climate areas, like Minnesota. As somebody who lived by means of the height of the purchase every thing native and natural part, I knew that was out of contact for customers, however didn’t notice simply how how of contact that was for farming too!
That evening’s dinner on the Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel was one of many highlights of the journey. The farm stand is the place Earthbound Farm began again in 1992, and is now a market, cafe, occasion area, and residential to probably the most lovely 2 1/2 acre natural backyard I’ve ever seen.