“What there is, there is” ~ Italian proverb
Hello CSA members,
Spring is here, and we have been busy training our new crew, getting the first crops planted, and building out our new market in town. The field is a blank slate…nothing but potential out there right now….but that will change quickly. Our goal as farmers has always been to build a local food system that provides our community with nutritious food, promotes better land stewardship, and adds vibrancy and character to the landscape. Over the past 14 years of farming, we’ve been through the ups and downs of supply and demand. There have been times where there’s too much food, and we rush out to find new markets, and there have been times when there is not enough food to meet the demand, at which point we have increased our production. In recent years, as we’ve reached the maximum production that our farm can achieve, we’ve been working collaboratively with other farmers and trying to make opportunities for new farmers who want to just get started.
One of the reasons that we decided to start The Farmers’ Stand market in town was to have a platform in place to entice more people into farming in our valley, or to encourage conventional farmers transition to organic or regenerative practices. We saw the writing on the wall, which was that demand for good food is on the rise as people awaken to the fact that the industrial food system is wrecking our health. But it even surprised us at how quickly demand has spiked as a result of the Covid pandemic and the increase in population in our valley. It’s one of those double edged swords, where on one hand we are relieved that consumers are starting to seek out better quality food, but on the other hand realize that we as a farm cannot provide enough of it for everyone. At the end of the day, we need more farmers if our vision of a local food system is to take root.
In the mean time, we can only do what we can do. We are working to further streamline and maximize our production. We have hired a larger farm crew. We have talked to other farmers all across the valley. But as the Italian proverb says, “What there is, there is”. There’s no calling China for another cargo ship full of local, nutritious produce. I know many small businesses that offer artisan products who struggle with the success of not having enough product to meet demand, and don’t want to turn to mass production and lose everything they love about what they do. It’s a real conundrum. It’s also an opportunity for others to step in and help fill the void.
While we had an idea of starting a food hub or retail store last year, the idea really only took root in December when we found a suitable location. At that time we realized we faced an issue…..How will we start a new store, continue to do CSA, continue to serve 35 restaurants through Wicked Good Produce, and continue to do 3 weekly farmers markets with slightly more food than we grew last year? The answer is, we can’t. It is going to take some time to make this transition, and to bring more supply on board, and we believe strongly that the store is the right approach. But that means something has to give elsewhere.
As we’ve weighted our options, and looked at the numbers and logistics, there is one market that stands out to us as the weakest link in our chain. At this point, we are seriously considering not attending the Columbia Falls Community Market this season. We realize this potential decision will disappoint many people, and we hear you. But, it also presents an opportunity for other farms or new farmers to step in and succeed.
This decision poses another issue for us, in terms of what to do about the Columbia Falls CSA drop-off, which is really the point of this post. We are open to ideas. At this point in time, we think there are a couple of options available. First, we may be able to find a local drop off point in town (a business, or someones really tidy and clean garage?) to host CSA pickup. Anyone out there have any ideas on this? Please email us if you do! The second option is that you could come to the store in Whitefish or the drop site in West Glacier to get your shares. And the third option is we will fully refund your CSA membership if neither of these options is deemed suitable. Are there other options? We’d be interested to hear form you if you have a workable idea.
Every year of farming brings a unique set of challenges. We are really excited that The Farmers’ Stand is going to move our local food system forward, but this year is certainly going to be one of transition. In order to relieve stress and keep things in perspective, we have been joking lately that the partnership between Two Bear Farm and Wicked Good Produce to start this market should have been named Bearly Good. We have extremely high expectations for it, but entering the retail food world is a daunting adventure.
We appreciate all of your support over the years, and I hope you send us your ideas to 2bearfarm@gmail.com if you have any. Thanks and we’ll be in touch soon.
So disappointed to hear this I have been buying from you since you started in CFalls. This is the first year I bought a share. I normally spend $35-30 per week.
This is a horrible inconvenience to me I’m older and unable to get to Whitefish or West Glacier and with the proposed road construction with tourist season this is horrible and to let us know this late in the season!! It’s to late to purchase shares from other gardens. I don’t know what to do you certainly have left your customers in this area in a mess. Thanks we have been supporting you all this time. I don’t have an answer except poor planning on your part. I hope to get an answer from you soon. This is 😞
I’m so upset I can hardly think. I have supporting you for the last 6 years. Spending over 600 dollars a season getting veggies for two. This year we give you money in good faith for you to use then you pull out the rug. We have your money but now you have to figure out how to get the food. It’s like a “bait and switch” You waited till now?? No other farmer has any shares left! This is a horrible thing to do to your loyal customers. This year they are doing major road construction along with more tourists. This makes it even harder to get anywhere. I can’t get to whitefish or west glacier. If I had known this we would have bought from another farmer. You are now leaving us with no options that work and now no food. Have a good day Rebecca as I l ow o won’t. I have watched the lines over the years at your booth. You are making good money there I don’t believe this is really the issue. I feel like we don’t matter go after the big bucks in Whitefish. So sad. Please let us know right away what you are doing. The least you could do is find a farmer. You and I both know there are only two farms at CFalls market. I really think this issue has nothing to do with supply and demand.
Hi Noreen,
As I tried to clarify in a follow up email to Columbia Falls CSA members, I think many people did not read the newsletter carefully. We are not pulling out of the CSA. You will still get your share that you paid for, and we will make pickup as convenient as possible. Option 1 in this newsletter is finding a good location other than the market to drop off shares for our members, and I think we will succeed in doing that. If there is anything we have earned in our 14 years of growing food in this valley, I think it is trust and respect…helping us find a resolution is more constructive than throwing us under the bus.
well, I know there are many disappointed people out there but I have to say to efficiently run your farm and a farm stand store you have cut something out!! I am personally happy you are opening the store, as it is very hard to get to a farmers market each week between a couple hour period of time. The nostalgia of a farmer (you) being at a farmers market selling their goods will be missed…. however something from your list of to do’s had to be modified. If people could stop for a minute and realize how much time and work and grueling weather you have had to deal with for each farmers market maybe they can see that this is a good thing, and give you all some credit for all the markets you have done! I personally didn’t sign up for CSA this year due to not having the time to get to the market each week about the same time, however I will be frequenting the “stand” weekly on my own schedule. Maybe some of the Cfalls people could could co op a pick up at their house weekly? one person drives to WF to get the shares and brings them back to be picked up from a central location or from their house? and possibly try to work together to find a solution vs being so hasty to Two Bear Farm?? I felt they were very kind in offering a refund of you wanted….
It’s a world full of nastiness right now, lets not get nasty over our favorite farmers doing what is best for them and the farm……more focus on the farm means more of their delicious earth grown goods in our homes.
I sympathize with those in Columbia Falls but please never forget at ANY moment anything can change; convenience is never guaranteed. These customer’s feelings highlight the frustration with the agro-industrial food complex in the USA.
It’s not Two Bears responsibility to feed people. Two Bear simply grows the crops and try their best to get them throughout the valley. Logistics are tough.
Options:
-Empower yourself to grow your own food. If you can’t prep a plot of land, check out grow bags of grow buckets.
-Get a carpool together and go to the new retail space once a week to stock up.
-Help Two Bear figure out a great drop off point for the CSA.
-Talk to your local grocer(s) and see what options are for getting in more organic and local food to support the community they serve.
-Attend your next city council meeting, express your concern on the lack of local farming and encourage grants and assistance for new farming endeavors.
As always, your insights and support are much appreciated!
Bravo!!! Thank you for this!!
Life is change. I live in Hungry Horse and would be happy to pick up several shares from West Glacier and drop them off.
Where is the new farm store going to be ? and what days could you pick up the CSA Share ? Driving to West Glacier might involve some issues with the tourist season . I can drive Whitefish just need the particulars . Thanks Laura Hunter.
thanks for farming .
Sorry Rebecca , I went back to look at an early post I missed . Of course your new location is perfect for pick up . thanks. Any time Wednesday would be great ! thanks
Laura
This is very disappointing news on many levels. However, if Two Bear Farm is willing to deliver, let’s find a drop off point and staff it ourselves. Columbia Falls CSA patrons could volunteer to oversee 1.5 -2 hours of pickup time once or twice during the season. Perhaps a shady portion of a school parking lot (I’m thinking of Ruder, where it’s shady east side has an overhang in case of rain – with permission, of course) could provide an easy, central pickup in town. Anyone else willing to staff a drop-off point a couple times?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the idea. However, I think we have a few other options on the table already that would not require any thing from CSA member, and would a be more convenient and agreeable solution. I’ll keep the group posted, and allow everyone to vote on the final options.
Todd
Good to hear you are growing- pun intended. Sad that CFalls stands in the shadows of Wfish but yes that is where money lives. You got a business to run and you got to follow the green. No hard feelings. I cannot commit to traveling elsewhere to pick up my share in Wfish or WG. I appreciate the go getter who gave a solution to staff a space at Ruder, thanks for providing a constructive solution. Unfortunately summer is busy for everyone and I cannot commit to a volunteer position. I would request a full refund from Two Bear and then take my money elsewhere. Sorry to hear you’re breaking up CFalls.
Hi Nia,
Our decision actually has very little to do with money. We are over-extended as a farm, and Columbia falls is the market furthest from our farm (and, yes, it happens to produce the lowest income of any market). I am confident we will find a suitable drop off point in Columbia Falls that will require very little change in behavior or schedule for our customers. I will keep everyone posted as that unfolds, but if a refund is still your preference, we can do that as well.
Just wanted to say that I know this was a hard decision for you to make, and I appreciate the transparency. I know you will find a suitable alternative space for csa pickups. Your farm works so hard to provide us with such delicious healthy food(my six year old loves your purple cauliflower and sungold tomatoes, amongst other things!). Keep up the good work, and good luck with the coming growing season.
Rebecca and Todd
I would like to apologize for my rude comments. I’m excited for you to have new successes in your lives. You work hard. I over reacted and I was out of line.
We will make it work for ourselves. You have been a pillar in the market and hope you continue.
Hello Todd and Rebecca, I sent an email as well, but wanted to say that we had a space to offer potentially for the CSA pickup in C Falls. My email is coordinator@coffeetraders.com and my phone number is 406-871-7984.
How dare you spend 100 hours a week from sun-up to sun-down growing amazing plants and offering them to me for less than their market value?!?! What gives you the right to fill my belly with nourishing vegetables?!?! I’m disgusted by your commitment. We’re done.