Review and photos by Noelle Graf
Looking at the spring snow falling, it’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago I was selecting fresh fruits and vegetables from the
Field to Families farm stand in Roy. That’s just one of the great things about this organization: in addition to supplying Utahns with seasonal local produce, they’ve partnered with growers in California to bring you fresh options all year. Sure, you can get off-season produce at the grocery store but it can cost you, either in price or in trips to multiple stores. With Field to Families you get the farmer market experience nearly year-round, and at a great price. For just $15 you can bring home a bounty of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Field to Families offers eight units of produce for $15. For example, two bunches of spinach, eight lemons, or a pint of strawberries may equal one unit. They pre-assemble baskets based on what’s available but, if you like, you can swap items. So, say you just don’t need all those lemons or no matter how hard you try you can’t get your kids to eat leafy greens, Field to Families is happy to make an even trade (unit for unit)—and it still costs the same $15.
I’d heard about organizations like Field to Families and decided to check this one out in part because of their great hours, 10 a.m. to noon—no stalking celery at 6 a.m.! I headed over to their Layton location on a sunny March morning but they weren’t there so I contacted Field to Families and found out the location was temporarily on hold (members had been notified). They suggested I try the Roy location, so I did the following Saturday. I’d planned on reviewing them for this blog, and even though they offered me a basket of produce in exchange*, everything looked so fresh that I decided to purchase a second basket. Our two-basket bounty ($30 worth of produce) included vine tomatoes, strawberries, lemons, oranges, spinach, celery, romaine lettuce, sweet carrots, cabbage, beets, avocados, and an English cucumber (and you know how pricey some of those they can be!):
My 5-year-old picky eater, caught up in the excitement, made some bold and fun choices for our second basket (like beets to dye Easter eggs pink) and throughout the week I found myself creating healthy dishes for my family: homemade spinach quiche, grilled carrots, and fresh garden salads. Keep in mind that there are no preservatives, so you’ll want to use your produce quickly.
Field to Families is an affordable way to enjoy the farm stand experience, plus support local business. And they give back, too, by selling leftover produce at a substantial discount to low-income families. Field to Families currently has several locations throughout Utah, including Clinton,
Heber City, Roy, and
Logan, with locations in
Ogden and
Layton opening April 10th (if you’re interested in managing a new location, email fieldtofamilies@gmail.com). You can sign up on their
website for a weekly or monthly standing order. If you sign up for a monthly plan, you actually end up getting a couple of free baskets each year during months that have five weekends! Also, if you’re not willing to commit right away, they have a cash-and-carry option. You may not get everything offered in the pre-paid pickup baskets, but you’ll still come away with a bounty of fresh produce—and you don’t have to wait until summer.
Where: Clinton, Heber City, Roy, Logan, Ogden, Layton (see website for location details)
When: Saturday mornings, 10 a.m.-noon
Website: http://fieldtofamilies.i360net.com/
*This post is compensated, but not solicited, as it was it was my intention to review the organization anyway. And compensated or not, I will always be honest.
Noelle Graf is a freelance writer specializing in travel reviews and features about people, places, and things. Email her at noelle823@yahoo.com to inquire about writing, editing, blogging, and consulting services.
The annual lighting event and parade take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but you can visit the Christmas Village until the New Year. There are dozens of whimsical cottages (sponsored by local businesses), with themes ranging from Santa's Workshop, the Nutcracker, Hansel and Gretel, and Nightmare Before Christmas. There's even a replica of historic Union Station.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy strolling down Rudolph Way and Icicle Path, enjoying the Christmas music and peering into each festive Christmas house. Dress warmly and bring a thermos full of hot chocolate to make the magic even more enchanting.
Little ones can visit with Santa Monday through Saturday evenings, up until Christmas Eve. You can purchase photos or take your own. Tours with Mrs. Claus can also be arranged.
When: The Christmas Village cottages are lit each night from 5 p.m. to midnight until January 1.
