We are currently low on a few popular cuts of beef and of chickens. We are sorry this happens but it is a natural part of having a smaller operation. It also points to why the CSA model helps sustain small farmers throughout the low seasons of the year.
In the cycle of life, animals do most of their growth and build-up of fat reserves in the summer. Then in the winter, when the food they forage is less nutritious and the temperatures are so much lower, they use that energy to sustain them. We feed our animals well during the winter, but the lack of rich fields and the cold temperatures do affect them.
As for the chickens, they are particularly sensitive to winter temperatures. We raise the CRX and Red Rangers only during the warmer months. We start the chicks inside in barns during the spring and then move them to pasture when they are mature enough and when the temperatures are warm enough. And while the the laying hens are cold-hardy in adulthood, their productivity slows during the darker and colder months of the year.
Given this rhythm, harvesting of animals is usually done in the late summer and fall, so it is natural for us to have less on hand during late winter and early spring. This is a good time to try out items such as roasts which we have in plentiful supply. Also available are lamb cuts, pork chops, osso buco and organs like tongue and heart. Ground pork, lamb and beef are also in stock. Please also consider the budget friendly item of bones for making soup.
This is why year-long subscriptions are important for our business. Local farming is seasonal, but farmers still care for the land and animals year-round. Think of fall’s abundance—veggies, fruits, turkeys, and traditional harvest celebrations. Members spend more on CSA products during these times. But in winter, we’re still milking cows and feeding animals. The farmers need to sustain their employees, land, and animals during the lean times. The work never stops.
Simply put: Pausing or canceling in winter means benefiting from the CSA membership without contributing to the farmers who keep it running. It disrupts the production model and shifts the burden onto those who stay committed.
During the winter when items you are looking for aren’t available, consider that your store balance will grow and you'll be able to purchase large amounts at a different time of year.
Eating seasonally might also be a nice way to think about this issue. It is obvious to everyone that during the winter in Oregon we can’t have locally grown hot-weather crops. Many choose to eat storage vegetables and different cuts of meat than they would during the summer. Consider expanding your repertoire of foods and recipes - it could be fun and delicious. And it definitely helps keep our operation running healthfully all year long.