The Produce Peddler

02/07/2020

**ATTENTION - PLEASE READ***

It all started 8 years ago when I was trying to figure out what to do with my life after graduating college. I had experience working at Z’s Orchard in Palisade and really fell in love with farming, so I decided to give it a go on my own. I met Bob and Darla Custine Beasley when I went to go look at a tractor they had for sale. One conversation led to the next and they offered me their 3 acres to farm, along with sharing their experience and knowledge of running a “market farm” , it was an opportunity that I’ll forever be grateful for.

The first growing season I grew way too much and needed to find a market for it. My friend Joe Steege told me I should try his hometown of Pinedale, WY. Not knowing a soul up there besides the Steeges, I packed a box truck full of fruits and veggies and made the 7 hour drive to set up on the side of the road. It was pretty lean in those first couple of years but I maintained great relationships that paid off in the years to come.

I met my wonderful wife Leah and convinced her to tackle this dream with me. We bought our farm in Mack, CO raised chickens, sheep and an array of produce, went to farmers markets across the valley, started a CSA and made countless relationships within our community. Those of you in Pinedale, we greatly appreciate all the support over the years and many of you are like family to us, we will miss seeing you!

All that being said, The Produce Peddler will be retiring after 8 years of operation. Leah and I will be moving to the San Luis Valley to continue our love for agriculture and pursue new and exciting opportunities. We have learned so much over the past 8 years and look forward to using our experience and knowledge to make the next years even better. Thank you so much to our family, friends and customers that have encouraged us along the way. We will greatly miss you, and hope that we made as much of an impact on you as you did on us!

With Much Love,

Zay and Leah

11/08/2019

This was so fun! Thank you West Slope Youth Vote and Western Colorado Alliance for highlighting the importance of "voting with your dollar" by purchasing local food. You can find delicious things even in the winter months. Explore what your community has to offer and take the extra time to eat seasonally and buy local.

09/01/2019

Hey Everyone! Details for tomorrow:

+Altitude Drug parking lot from 8am-12pm

+We will NOT have any PICKLING cucumbers do to a crop failure from our supplier. Sorry for any inconvenience. It bums us out when we can't fulfill orders but hopefully everyone understands.

++This may be our last visit up so we hope to see everyone there. Here is a list of some of the things we are bringing:

-Peaches
-Sweet Corn
-Tomatoes
-White Peaches
-Plums
-Pears
-Nectarines
-Squash
-Onions
-Green Beans
-Bell Peppers
-Munching Cucumbers

See you in the morning!

Zay AND Leah 😄

***ATTENTION PINEDALE***

We will be back this SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST!! with a trailer full of produce. If you are interested in pre-ordering boxes of produce please get your order in ASAP. We will not take orders after Friday at NOON. The following items are available for bulk orders this week:

-Peaches: $40.00
-Sweet Corn: $25.00
-Tomatoes: $35.00
-Pickling cucumbers: $35.00
-Slicing cucumbers: $35.00
-Zucchini: $35.00
-Yellow Squash: $35.00
-Green Beans: $50.00
-Jalapenos: $35.00
-Green bell peppers: $40.00
-Onions: $45.00

We do NOT do half boxes, so please find a friend to split a box with if you can't do a whole one.

Thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you!

08/28/2019

***ATTENTION PINEDALE***

We will be back this SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST!! with a trailer full of produce. If you are interested in pre-ordering boxes of produce please get your order in ASAP. We will not take orders after Friday at NOON. The following items are available for bulk orders this week:

-Peaches: $40.00
-Sweet Corn: $25.00
-Tomatoes: $35.00
-Pickling cucumbers: $35.00
-Slicing cucumbers: $35.00
-Zucchini: $35.00
-Yellow Squash: $35.00
-Green Beans: $50.00
-Jalapenos: $35.00
-Green bell peppers: $40.00
-Onions: $45.00

We do NOT do half boxes, so please find a friend to split a box with if you can't do a whole one.

Thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you!

08/09/2019

***PINEDALE***Updates!
We’ll be set up Friday(tomorrow)8am-Noon
at DAVE’S LAST STAND.

Please bring CASH or CHECK to help the line move quickly.

Y’all are the best foodies and we had so many special orders that we’ll be short on produce available by the pound. Please come by to get what we have and we’ll be back up to bring you more soon (TBD).

Thanks and see you tomorrow!

***ATTENTION PINEDALE***

The time has come! We are planning to visit this FRIDAY morning (8/9) with a trailer full of produce. If you are interested in pre-ordering boxes of produce please get your order in ASAP. We will not take orders after Wednesday. The following items are available for bulk orders this week:

-Peaches: $40.00
-Sweet Corn: $25.00
-Tomatoes: $35.00
-Pickling cucumbers: $35.00
-Slicing cucumbers: $35.00
-Beets: $35.00
-Zucchini: $35.00
-Yellow Squash: $35.00
-Green Beans: $50.00
-Jalapenos: $35.00
-Green bell peppers: $40.00
-Onions: $45.00

We do NOT do half boxes, so please find a friend to split a box with if you can't do a whole one.

Thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you!

08/05/2019

***ATTENTION PINEDALE***

The time has come! We are planning to visit this FRIDAY morning (8/9) with a trailer full of produce. If you are interested in pre-ordering boxes of produce please get your order in ASAP. We will not take orders after Wednesday. The following items are available for bulk orders this week:

-Peaches: $40.00
-Sweet Corn: $25.00
-Tomatoes: $35.00
-Pickling cucumbers: $35.00
-Slicing cucumbers: $35.00
-Beets: $35.00
-Zucchini: $35.00
-Yellow Squash: $35.00
-Green Beans: $50.00
-Jalapenos: $35.00
-Green bell peppers: $40.00
-Onions: $45.00

We do NOT do half boxes, so please find a friend to split a box with if you can't do a whole one.

Thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you!

07/05/2019

***ATTENTION PINEDALE WYOMING***

We WILL be coming to Pinedale this summer, just not as often as in the past. Leah and I have a very busy summer with off farm job work trips, friends weddings, and other travel that is going to make it difficult to make frequent trips up north. Our plan is to come at the peak of the season so you have the most variety to choose from and can get all of your boxes needed for canning/freezing.

That means our first trip will probably be at the end of July and another in August and September. The fruit is a little later this year due to a cooler spring, but we should have all the same great produce as in the past. I will give at least a week notice so that you can get your orders in so please share this with friends and family, or message us your orders now so that we can get you on the list.

Thanks everyone for your patience and questions about our plans. We hold Pinedale very close to our heart and this will be the 7th year I’ve made trips to your wonderful town. You all have become a second family to Leah and I and we truly appreciate your business! Here’s to another season of growing and see you soon!

-Zay

06/12/2019

Week 1 Fruita CSA pick up is tonight!
Lettuce
Kale
Cilantro
Basil
Tomatoes - from Blaine’s greenhouse
Garlic
Sugar peas

Our CSA is full for 2019. Thanks to all who support our farm!

06/11/2019

Harvested lettuce, spring onions, and hoop-house progress. Gearing up for the start of our CSA season! @ The Produce Peddler

05/29/2019

Blending tried & true growing methods with some new experiments this season. Multiple crops mean a variety of techniques: raised beds, field rows, vertical in hoop house, drip line and sprinkler irrigation. It takes time and patience to find the sweet spot of efficiency & quality production. Making strides every year! .

05/28/2019

More raised beds! This one became home to zinnia, basil and cilantro transplants over the weekend.

04/09/2019

Checked the compost pile this morning and it’s doing great! Thanks for letting us compost your spent grain. It’s a great ingredient to add to other farm waste, can’t wait to use the finished product on the veggies. 😁