August 2025 Newsletter
Hello Mama!
Can we all just take a moment to acknowledge that somehow it's already August? The tomatoes are finally doing their thing, the zucchini are multiplying like wild, and honestly...we’re sweating through it with style. These long, hot days can be a lot, but they also come with the good stuff: watermelon juice (cantaloupe, in this case!) on your chin, bare feet in the garden, and maybe—if we’re lucky—a little breeze at sundown.
Ode to the Tomato (and other late bloomers):
If you’ve ever waited (somewhat patiently) for that first juicy, vine-ripened tomato to arrive—you know the joy. Heirloom tomatoes—the kind our grandparents grew—are what inspired one of our FarmHers to start farming. (Hi, it’s me, Sarah!) I grew up thinking mealy, tasteless grocery store tomatoes were the norm. But at the ripe age of 31, I had my first “real” tomato, and it changed everything. That one bite diverted my path from office life to growing vegetables.
This month, your tote includes sweet cherry tomatoes and Roma (also called “sauce”) tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are known for their low water content, making them perfect for sauces. Personally, I love them for salsa and pico de gallo—no watery “salsa soup” here! We think you can taste the sunshine in every bite.
As for the other goodies—peaches, cantaloupe, and corn—some things just take time to grow. This week’s box is packed with summer favorites that took their sweet time getting here but that is also part of what makes them taste that much more flavor packed and mouth-watering!
Look, we know these summer weeks can feel both too fast and too long. The days blur together, you lose track of what day the trash goes out, and suddenly everyone’s asking about back-to-school. If that’s where you’re at, you’re not alone. We hope this week’s box brings a little moment of calm, a good dinner, or just a reminder that someone thought of you today.
Don’t forget to show off your recipes!!
Food Justice For All,
The FarmerHer to Mama Team
Anne, Anna, Virginia, Becca T, Allyssa, Veronica, Alyssa, Sarah, and Becca K
August Goodies
Perkins’ Good Earth Farm - Demotte, IN
Roma Tomatoes - Bell Peppers - Cilantro - Onions - Cherry Tomatoes
Kankakee Valley Homestead - Walkerton, IN
Green Lentils - Corn
Zandstra’s - Highland, IN
Cantaloupe
Garwood Orchards - Laporte, IN
Roma Tomatoes - Pickling Cucumbers - Jalapenos - Peaches - Broccoli - Eggplant
Foodie Tips
Tomatoes - These will be ripe so if you cannot get to them within a day or two, we strongly suggest putting them in the fridge as the humidity of a kitchen will have them spoil.
Peaches - If you like your peaches so juicy you need to lean forward to eat them so as not to ruin your clothes, leave them on the counter or in a paper bag until desired softness is achieved.
Green Lentils - If you’ve never had FRESH lentils, you’re in for a treat! They barely need cooking time compared to store lentils so be sure to test frequently as they boil so they don’t turn to mush. Adding plenty of salt to the boiling water will impart loads of flavor and while they’re still hot, I like to add a splash of vinegar, lemon or pickle juice and they will soak that right up
Cantaloupe - Summer treat alert!! Chop up a cantaloupe, freeze the pieces then blend them and you’ll be tasting one of the best sorbets you’ve ever had!!
Eggplant - One of the easiest ways to use eggplant is to cut off the ends, slice it horizontally about 1/3rd of an inch thick, add salt and olive oil and toss on the grill. Usually the skin can be bitter so remove it, then blend the “meat” with garlic and lemon for a delicious summer dip.
FarmHim Spotlight: Kankakee Valley Homestead, Walkerton, IN
How The Potatoes Are Dug
From Farmer Thomas via Sarah
Meet Thomas, Our Potato (& Corn!) Guy 🌽🥔
For the past three years, farmer Thomas has been quietly growing food for our Farm To School programs and filling in as needed for our FarmHer To Mama produce boxes. You’ve already enjoyed some of his work—he’s the one behind last month’s baby corn and the sweet corn and lentils you’re getting this month!
Due to this year’s budget cuts, Thomas has had a rough year, making outside labor something that unfortunately was a rare luxury for him. Not wanting him to face any hardships over the winter, our food hub was able to collaborate with him to invite members of the community out for a good old-fashioned potato dig, and thankfully, the response was incredible. With the help of dedicated volunteers, over 11,000 pounds of potatoes were pulled from the ground last weekend (with about 30,000 more pounds to go) keeping them from rotting and as he put it, “becoming next year’s fertilizer”. That’s a whole lot of love—and a whole lot of mashed potatoes, roasted wedges, and soups coming your way this fall and winter.
Moments like this are why we do what we do here at the NWI Food Council—neighbors showing up for each other, lending hands in the dirt, and sharing the harvest with families all over the region. We’re so grateful to have Thomas in our collection of amazing farmers and for everyone who dug in (literally!) to make it happen!
Join our FarmHer to Mama Facebook Group for support, recipes, tips, & community.
Questions or feedback about the program? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to:
Anne at info@nwifoodcouncil.org / 219-313-8828
Becca at becca@nwifoodcouncil.org / 219-928-3225
Sarah at sarah@nwifoodcouncil.org / 503-964-7813
