I am not sure about you, but I am growing more and more in love with fermented foods. There is something about knowing an item is very healthy for me to help me love it in spite of a sour, spicy, or tangy taste. As my taste for ferments grows, I begin to crave them! I realize my digestive system is screaming for probiotics and I like adding ferments to the tops of all my salads, sides, and fall protein packed dishes.
I had been spending large on tiny jars of fermented cabbage and kim chis bought at a local organic grocery here in Blue Mountain Beach. What I loved about those ferments compared to say, Bubbies that can be found in almost all groceries, is that these ferments were not salty. I am extremely sensitive to salt and do not want any extra, even if it is unrefined sea salt. I like to add my own and know exactly how much salt I am consuming. So I was excited to find these fermented foods even if the jars of ferments were tiny and about $11-13 each.
Recently, my family went to our nephew’s wedding out on a farm in west Tennessee. We met some great people and one of them turned out to be Todd Vincent of Vincent Family Farms. As he talked, I learned he and his family, among other farming things, grew and fermented foods and beverages for a living. I was fascinated. I wanted to know more.
We talked about kombucha and how the store bought ones are still very commercial (and, like Bubbies, probably aren’t as powerful a deliverer of pre/probiotics).
As we were leaving, I got his email so that I could visit one of his CSA drop off locations later that week. I think my first email to him was “we will buy large!” Because, I love finding quality foods that are fermented AND I love supporting small businesses.
We arrived at a Spring Hill, Tennessee, location midday on a Wednesday. I think I bought 10 jars of ferments, six bottles of kombucha, and three jars of fermented granola! I also got fermented mustard which is totally to die for! Oh, and we got two small jars of honey.
Todd mentioned that the honey might have some honey comb or a random bee leg because it was that unrefined and fresh. Growing up in New Zealand with bee hives, Levi was in heaven! He has a fond affection for honey as they put it on bread with loads of butter over there down under. Levi also worked at the first big Manuka honey plant in New Zealand called Comvita. (I married into an even bigger health-nut family than I am! Save the bread and butter!).
We got our loads of ferments into our cooler bag. We traveled back to my aunt’s house. Then we realized we had no place to store them. What was I thinking? Off to the market we went to get some ice. And we kept ice on the ferments for a few days as we prepared to shoot a new DVD.
We did let a couple of hours go by on a warmer than normal October day and when we left for Nashville for the shoot, carrying our beloved ferments like a baby, Levi heard an explosion. We opened to find one of our jars had just too much activity inside and had to get out. That was a clean up I could have done without. However, I LOVED the fact that this living food full of powerful goodness was what I had just purchased heaps of! I would much rather there have been a chance of explosion than nothing. I knew these ferments were legit.
Todd had told us to be very careful opening the jars and to give them time to slowly release the built up pressure because these ferments were alive and active. Well, of course, I forgot and did not heed his warning. I went straight for the jar of fermented carrot sticks and screwed off the lid only to have the action all over me, the floor, the counter… which was fine because I ate half the jar in one sitting. (They were heavenly!). My next jar, I was more careful.
We got the Flu Fighter which was amazing. We loved the straight up sauerkraut. We got an assortment of many others. Since going back without a full on fridge for just us, I have restrained myself by getting more carrots and a salsa. I took these to Thanksgiving out with the Trim Healthy Mama girls and Levi’s family and they were wiped out!
While we are super excited to head up to see family for Christmas, I am very excited to go back to get more of the Vincent’s ferments, breads, condiments, eggs, and kombucha. Oh, and the granola? Man, granola gives me crazy acid reflux. But this? Nothing. I could eat it straight out of the jar. Though tentative to try it, I was blown away that I could have these fermented grains and they not bother me! (Normally I keep grains to a minimum).
Need a great hostess gift over the holidays? Visit the website to find out drop off locations or order some ferments by mail. No one would forget your gift. Just give them a hint to open slowly! :)
I am sold on Todd and his family and their family farm! I am writing this to encourage you to get to know them if you are in the middle Tennessee area. I am also encouraging you to get to know your local small family farmers in your area. And if you would like a selection of Vincent Family Farms products, I am super excited to let you know that they ship certain things across the continental USA.
Here are more details on how to order!
Weekly Middle Tennessee pickups – They do weekly drop-offs in Spring Hill and Nashville (Woodbine neighborhood) on Mondays and in Franklin and East Nashville on Thursdays. Email orders@fermentedfarmer.com for specific times and locations.
Website & Online Orders – (limited products available but they’ll be adding more soon): http://fermentedfarmer.com
Contact: orders@fermentedfarmer.com
Email: orders@fermentedfarmer.com to request to join their weekly email order list.
Need a great hostess gift over the holidays? Visit the website to find out drop off locations or order some ferments by mail. No one would forget your gift. Just give them a hint to open slowly! :)
Be sure to follow the Fermented Farmer at the links below to stay up do date!
Facebook: facebook.com/fermentedfarmer
Vimeo: vimeo.com/vincentfamilyfarm
(After the fact, I found out that Todd’s wife, Kari, has been doing my workouts thanks to my sister in law Melissa! I am so honored! I have no interest in letting you know about Todd and his lovely family and their ferments other than to introduce you to great products that can help you be healthier. And because I love them so much. Absolutely no affiliate links involved here. I only tell you about what I love).
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