Market Farming

["Ploughshare" <gjbrever AT midwestinfo.net>]

Toni-
  We have tried sand in the past.  But for as many carrots as we have to 
store it ends up being more of a hassle(with a mess) than benefit.  The 
carrots are touching one another.   The plastic around the bin (similar to 
putting them in a large plastic bag) does a good job of retaining the 
humidity and hence the crispness.
    What I have found is that we use a lot more of our produce up through 
out the winter either for our own selves or for selling because the produce 
is more easy to get to.  I am also more confident in being able to sell 
produce because I can easily check the quality of our bins of carrots or 
other produce.  It is more difficult when the produce is covered with sand.
    I think these are important points to make with our storage CSA member 
customers as well.  Many times folks feel intimidated to make a large 
purchase of winter storage vegetables because they think they need to have a 
special root cellar.  But because we deliver our storage CSA shares after 
October 15th most of the vegetables will store fairly well in any kind of 
room that stays above freezing (such as an insulated garage).
--Gary