1st CHOOSE STORE LOCATION
It’s important to choose the right location. The Life Center location in Clermont is open to everyone. The Renaissance Charter School Farm Stand is currently for Renaissance Charter School Staff and Parents only and the Groveland Farm Stand is for Groveland Residents. Orders placed before Tuesday will be available to be picked up that week from one of the locations below. Note that each location has a unique pickup day and time. Choose the right location for you below.
The Life Center – Clermont, FL Pick up Thursdays 8am-5pm.
Renaissance Charter School Farm Stand – Ocoee, FL Pick up Wednesdays 2-4pm
Groveland Farm Stand – Groveland, FL Pick up Thursdays 3-6pm.
ABOUT PICKED FRESH PRODUCE
The absolute best texture, best tasting, most nutrient rich produce you will ever eat will be picked fresh. When the veggie hasn’t had time to decay, you’re getting the best it has to offer. It’s our mission to grow for you, the foods that heal. This means, in addition to growing aquaponically, it has to be picked fresh so that the nutrition levels are as high as possible. Once you’ve ordered your produce, we’ll pick it and get it to you right away. On your end, you’ll enjoy and benefit from eating your produce as soon as possible.
WHY YOUR LETTUCE STILL HAS THE ROOTS ON
Your lettuce is harvested and arrives to you with the tap root still attached. This means that your lettuce is still alive while it’s waiting in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for you to eat it. This is one way we help assure that you are getting the very best in flavor, crispness and nutrition.
HOW YOUR PRODUCE COMES
We try to use packaging that most importantly, protects and helps make sure that your produce arrives to you in the best possible condition. The last thing you want is smashed veggies. Additionally, some produce emits ethylene gas. Exposure to ethylene gas can cause some produce to go bad quicker. Some bags must be left open so as not to cause premature spoilage. You can learn more about the proper handling and storage as we post information about it.
For these reasons, we use certain types of containers or bags that might not otherwise be our first choice. So yes, that means we use some plastic containers and bags, but it is with your health in mind. Please recycle them. We will try to use more eco-friendly packaging as the quality of your produce will allow.
Insulated cold bags are available in our store as a convenient option for you. In the event that you are not able to get home with your produce in a timely fashion, you can purchase an insulated bag and freezer pack with one purchase and return it next time you pickup produce for a refund.
STORING YOUR PRODUCE
We will post great detail on the proper handling and storage of your produce. Here are some quick pointers.
Lettuce – Store in crisper drawer in a bag with the top open and the temp set colder. The moisture with the roots needs to vent out of the bag. Once cut, washed and dried, you should store lettuce in a sealed bag or container, still in the veggie crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
TO WASH OR NOT TO WASH YOUR PRODUCE
We don’t use fertilizers or toxic pesticides on your produce. However, bugs, dust, dirt and other natural substances that can and do find their way onto naturally grown produce. Some argue that not washing your clean grown produce allows that natural material to help build a strong digestive and immune system. Others believe that everything should be washed off before eating. We believe that the choice is yours. We will continue to grow your produce free from toxins and respect you choice to wash or not wash before eating.
