Tuesday morning I called the fine folks at Bee Sweet Berry Farm in Lewisburg TN to find out if I would be able to use fresh berries. Good news! Raspberries were ready to be picked! Since I had met Ron on my previous trip to the berry farm I was pleased to be able to talk to and later meet Judi. When I first started this endeavor I imagined a scenario just like this: "Good morning, this is Trish from Nutrisha. I will be catering a horse show this weekend and would like to use some of your berries if you have any available". We chatted about the dark clouds forming in the area and how the rain makes the berries too fragile to pick and we would reconnect the next morning.
Want good food? Get it fresh from the farm! Why? Produce is sensitive to many elements which means that the more processing and trave that goes into getting fruits or vegetables on your plate, the less nutrient dense that food becomes. By working directly with small local farmers I am able to provide the most nutrient dense produce possible! Also, if you have concerns about the economy I would like to think that buying fresh produce from local farmers must make an impact. We can disagree if you see it another way but that's my soapbox and I will step down now.
The next day Judi let me know that she did have the gallon of berries I needed and we agreed to meet later. My two boys were in tow and the couple were more than gracious as I wrangled them during our exhange. Ron and Judi even posed for a photo and let my two year old drive the ATV up to the barn. What a good experience! This is what eating local is all about. I am pleased to be able to promote local farmers through my catering.
With the gallon of berries I made some very popular treats at the Eagleville Country Horse Show. A raspberry sorbet was made with coconut milk and organic raw sugar and served in 5 ounce cups. Next year I will make more frozen items and get the dry ice like I planned, we had to sell the sorbets fast because they lost temp faster than I planned... My sous chef, Sousarah, constructed the Greek yogurt with honey raspberry parfaits layered with a almond coconut granola.
The most popular of these was a fresh fruit kabob- watermelon, raspberries and blueberries or grapes. You cannot argue with fresh fruit already cut up and served on a stick, am I right?
Thank you to all the spectators, Rutherford County Mounted Patrol and participants for enjoying the groceries!
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