We're Still In Business

Hi Everyone!
We have been so busy at the farm that I haven't been able to keep up with the blog. For this I apologize. I was playing on the computer the other night and googled Karefree Produce just to see what would come up. Well one of the listings was the blog and I thought I have got to get that updated. So here we are...

Our strawberry season this year was fantastic! It was so good in fact that next year we are going to have plant more strawberries. We got the Fresh Market account for the Southern Pines store this season and they were requiring 15-20 cases a day! We were only able to deliver to the ones in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill etc just once. The pick your own part of our farm was beyond belief as well. Two of the other nearby strawberry farms were closed or not doing well. So that added to our business. We have gotten alot new customers this year also. Each week there are new customers that say they will definitely be back.

Since I last blogged we have gotten our kitchen inspected and certified as a seasonal bakery. This has gone better than we ever expected. I have been making tomato casseroles that have been selling like crazy. I almost can't keep up with the demand. I have actually been taking orders for people because they know they run out quick. I was approached by a gentleman who is opening a diner/cafe in the area and wants to focus on all local items. He came to us for produce and while he was there he saw the desserts etc that we have been making. He wants to purchase tomato pies, and 2 signature desserts from us to put in his place. He said he would sell it by the slice and let people know if they wanted the whole thing they would have to come to the farm to purchase it from me. I would also get to have a sign in there with our logo and lettin geveryone know that we provide them with some of their produce and menu items. I have been on cloud nine ever since our meeting. I never thought they would take off like they have. At first, I thought if they didn't sell then I could put them in the freezer and we would have them this winter. But so far I haven't been able to get any into the freezer. Lately I haven't been able to get them out of the kitchen. People keep buying them while they are on the kitchen table cooling off.

We have a large group coming into Carthage this week for a Dixie Youth World Series. WE are expecting to be busy and so I am going to be swamped with trying to get alot of goodies made before they all start rolling into town. We are wanting tohave several things that can be purchased and eaten at the ball field. I am also putting the tent that I use for the farmers market over one of the picnic tables in case someone wants to buy a slice of cake and sit in the shade. I wish I had enough time to do what is required to be able to serve icecream but there just isn't enough time. I don't think there ever is.