Growing up on my family's farm in Pennsylvania, I never would have pictured the life I live at Willow Haven farm. As a kid I spent summers in our large family garden we called, “The Truck Patch”. I helped mom every summer, picking beans, weeding, and cutting fruit and vegetables for the hundreds of jars of canned and frozen produce we put up. Now I spends less time out in the field and more time in the kitchen doing the same preserving for my own farm family. Farmer Reuben values my many hours doing much of the behind the scenes marketing, writing emails to cultivate customers and capturing the farm story each week. I'm always learning along the way in my quest to improve the farm experience for each of her current and future farm members in our 500+ member, year-round customized farm box delivery program. Reading our stories will connect you with your food in a way you never experienced before. Someday soon you will want to fit local food into your life and we'll be here to help you.
Why We Had Thanksgiving in the Barn + more Thanksgiving Sides & Sweets
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Hi Reader, Setting up a thanksgiving meal in the barn may have been more work but there isn’t a more beautiful setting for our whole farm community to come together for amazing farm food. But you may be surprised that we roasted chickens and turkey, whipped the mashed potatoes and unstuffed the apple walnut stuffing 2 weeks ago when the weather was a bit warmer. (Remember the almost 60 degree days we had earlier this month?) Holidays with family get complicated, right? Each family has its own traditions. In order to celebrate with everyone on the farm including additional friends, usually 30 - 40 people, we’ve gone back to an OLD Tradition. The Middle Ages (only organic back then)The feast of St. Martin of Tours, on November 11, was celebrated throughout the Christian world as a festival of thanksgiving to God for the harvest of the year. Fowl was on the menu, traditionally a goose, the new wine and special pastries - a giant croissant with a ground nut filling. With plenty of room in the barn we set up five long tables adorned with dried foliage from around the farm and three tables for pies, sourdough bread, salads, turkey, chicken, pork loin, sides and drinks. Beginning with singing hymns of thanksgiving, Farmer Reuben led us to reflect on how we live our lives each day in light of all the gifts we’ve received from creation, our faith and our community. Remembering, in particular, that charity to others is the fruit of true thankfulness. We pass it onAs farmers we live this every day but it is so important to CELEBRATE together and to clearly EXPRESS why we do what we do to our children. They have to know the MEANING of our work. We must take a moment and remind ourselves. Next we EXPRESS to YOU how thankful we are for your friendship and support. Our big project, the opening of Willow Haven Farm General Store, experienced a busy and exciting opening week. We are beyond grateful for your gracious first visits and your patience as we work out the details of learning to run an organic coffee shop and grocery store for our community. Thanks for bringing your friends and spreading the word. But it’s just a first step on the long road to becoming a trusted and sustainable food and community hub that will be here for you and your family for generations. Farmer Reuben's Next StepsFarmer Reuben wants me to share with you the next steps - small ways you can help. We need to invest together in a some very important relationships.
👉 Watch for Free Farmer Talk Topics to invite them to each week. Reader, head over to the blog for: 🌱 Festive ways to add nutritious greens to your table, from Miso Creamed Kale to a simple Arugula Salad with a holiday twist. 🍎 Mouth-watering dessert ideas, from classic apple pie to hidden veggie treats like Dark Chocolate Beet Brownies. 🦃 Tips for roasting the perfect holiday bird (or trying something new with non-turkey mains). CLICK BELOW 👇 to get all the seasonal recipes and tips on the blog!
Willow Haven Farm General Store's
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- Buy One Hot Drink, Get One Free: Sip on Organic Four Monkeys Coffee, creamy Chai Lattes, or Hot Chocolate.
- Add a Fresh Pastry: Pair your drink with a bakery treat, made fresh just for you.
Stop in to relax, refuel, and find unique holiday gifts in a warm, welcoming space.
When: Black Friday, 7 AM - 7 PM
Where: Willow Haven General Store, 8150 Hamilton Blvd, Breinigsville
Take a moment to breathe—we’ll be ready for you!
Wishing You a Very Happy Thanksgiving!
We'll keep farming for you!
Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm
Directions to the farm
P.S. I'll do a LIVE VIDEO Friday from the store. I can't wait to see what's been added since my last visit.
| Seasonal Recipes & Tips |
Tessa DeMaster
Growing up on my family's farm in Pennsylvania, I never would have pictured the life I live at Willow Haven farm. As a kid I spent summers in our large family garden we called, “The Truck Patch”. I helped mom every summer, picking beans, weeding, and cutting fruit and vegetables for the hundreds of jars of canned and frozen produce we put up. Now I spends less time out in the field and more time in the kitchen doing the same preserving for my own farm family. Farmer Reuben values my many hours doing much of the behind the scenes marketing, writing emails to cultivate customers and capturing the farm story each week. I'm always learning along the way in my quest to improve the farm experience for each of her current and future farm members in our 500+ member, year-round customized farm box delivery program. Reading our stories will connect you with your food in a way you never experienced before. Someday soon you will want to fit local food into your life and we'll be here to help you.
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