Good Food from Healthy Farms
Terra Meets Cartoonists League (CLAW)
May 3rd
As part of our community outreach, Terra Organics sponsored an event last Wednesday, organized by none other than the Tacoma-based CLAW (Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians). This talented collective of cartoonists meets twice a month to draw together, celebrate the art of cartooning and, of course, fight off zombies. More >
Celebrate Organics with Terra Gear!
May 1st
It’s here. The Official Terra Organic merchandise store! Now is your chance to show off your Organic-Pride with a Terra Organics or Tahoma Farms shirt, cooking apron, hat, coffee mug, and more. Even better is that our store offers some Organic cotton options.
Fan Photo Contest
We’re so excited about our new store that for the first person to send in/or post on our facebook page a photo of themselves decked out in Terra Gear will receive their next TWO DELIVERIES FOR FREE.
Take a look at some of our designs below and head over to http://www.zazzle.com/terraorganics for your favorite and a chance to win!
How to Win
Step 1: Purchase your favorite item from our gear store: http://www.zazzle.com/terraorganics
Step 2: Sport the item and show off your Organic Pride for a photo
Step 3: Send that photo in to etrotter (at) terra-organics (dot) com or or post on our facebook page
Step 4: The first person who completes Steps 1-3 wins their next two deliveries for FREE.
Ask Dan: Organics & Local Produce
Apr 30th
We always appreciate the feedback – both positive and negative – about your Terra Organics experience. And if there’s ever a question in your mind about our products or service, we’re happy to take the time to answer it. Earlier this week we received the following query from Hollis V. of Maple Valley: More >
Featured Grower: Nash’s Organic Produce
Apr 27th
Terra Organics works with an abundance of great local farms, run by some wonderful people. As important as it is for us to bring you local, quality, organic produce, it’s also valuable to share information about the great growers that make our snacks and meals that much better.This month, we’re focusing on one of our favorite growers: Nash’s Organic Produce. They’ve generously contributed a delightful history of their farm, organics as well as interesting details about organic consumption and their produce.
Nash’s Carrots are the best in the world!
Now Delivering to Olympia
Apr 16th
Ahoy to our friends down South in our State’s great Capitol. We know how much people down in Olympia value great organic and local produce which is why we’re pleased to announce that Terra Organics is now delivering to you!
For all of our Olympian customers, we’re offering a $5 OFF discount on your first box with Coupon Code: OLYMPIA10. You must be an Olympia resident for this code to work.
So please, tell your friends down in Olympia who love Organics and that you think might like our service that we’re now delivering their way. And, by referring someone who lives in Olympia, you will receive $5 OFF your next order too!
Science! Brix Sugar Test
Apr 12th
The strawberries in question
The other day at Terra headquarters, our chief scientist, Dan led us in a riveting science experiment to test the sugar content of two organic strawberry brands. The rule of thumb is the higher the sugar content, the better the produce. But how does one determine sugar content?
Enter the Refractometer
No, the Refractometer is not some made up tool out of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon (did I just date myself?), it’s a highly scientific, and delicately calibrated machine composed of hundreds of tiny computer processors. Okay, I lied about that last bit. The Refractometer is an instrument which measures an index of refraction or reflection of light. It can be used to determine the fraction of sugar (sucrose) content or Degrees Brix (which is sugar per 100 parts).
A standard Refractometer
Once the refraction of the fruit in question is determined, it requires a base scale to compare it to. which determines the quality of a fruit.
How does this experiment work?
Step 1: Select your strawberries. We picked a strawberry from each batch which was comparable in size and color.
Step 2: Squeeze liquid from one of the strawberries onto the Refractometer screen (or slice it, if you’re in no mood to squeeze strawberries).
Step 3: Close the Refractometer lid and hold the instrument up to some light. At this point you can glance through the viewing lens and take note of the readout.
Step 4: Clean lens and repeat with other test subject. (Note: this test works with a plethora of fruits, but we don’t recommend trying this with anything alive even if it’s a mosquito.)
Refractometer view
The Refractometer was passed around, we had our chuckles and we took our bets. Some of us were quite surprised to see which brand won the crown of Sweetest April Strawberry. John was especially surprised because he bet his car on the wrong horse. I’ll enjoy driving his Mustang to and from my car for the summer. Just kidding, I don’t know how to drive.
Besides getting to play with a funky scientific instrument, we also learned that the redder strawberries were not necessarily the sweetest, nor were the larger ones. That just goes to show that you should never judge a fruit by it’s cover…or color…or size. Just don’t judge fruit. It doesn’t do anyone any good.
Until next week, kids!
Featured Veggie: Celery
Apr 5th
Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/artdrauglis/
One of the most versatile of all veggies, celery can add interest and flavor to a wide variety of recipes. Celery is low calories and fat, yet offers a source of potassium, folic acid, carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, and calcium (among other nutrients). Try adding celery to chicken, tuna, or potato salads, stir-fries and soups, casseroles, or green salads. Or, simply dollop with peanut butter or cream cheese for a crunchy snack.
Make Your Voice Heard — Support the WSU Extension
Apr 5th
Pierce County has proposed the reduction of the WSU Pierce County Extension budget from its current level of $275,423 to $75,423 for 2010. This reduction will affect programming in the current 2010 funding year. This is roughly a 72% cut from the current level of funding. At that funding level it would effectively eliminate the Agriculture and Natural Resources program.
This program is responsible for technically assisting Pierce County farmers, developing educational programs to support existing and new farmers, and driving the knowledge base of agriculture in the County. Over the past 15 months this program has applied for over $6 million dollars in external grants funds through partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies, non-profit agencies, and farmer cooperatives. This money has been used to build the future generation of farmers, identify potential new agricultural products and cropping systems, reduce production costs and increase profit margins, and increase consumer interest in Pierce County agricultural goods. More >
New Add-On Item: Organic Cats!
Apr 1st
Terra Organics is excited to announce a new add-on item offering for our produce boxes. Starting today, April 1st, 2010, you now have the option to include a cat along with your produce. We’re offering a variety of cats from Singapura to Siamese or Tabby. Simply select which feline you’d like and you’ll receive the cat of your choosing along with your next box order.
While we don’t recommend eating your cat, they do make a fine house guest and go along great with any dinner consisting of tuna or furballs.
Cats Add-Ons are starting at $15.00 per cat. Our cats are direct from local breeders and are 100% Organic and flea free.
Our Organic Cat supplies are limited, so please put your order in before our deadline of April 18th, 2010. Select your cat type on this order form and we’ll bring your new pal direct to your door.
Give our delicious…er, friendly cats a new home in your produce box by ordering from Terra Organics. Good Cats from Healthy Breeders.
