We Give Food Thanks

As the holiday season is now upon us, we start the season with giving thanks for all that we have. We give thanks for our families, health, freedom and of course the bounty of food adorning our table.

Did you ever think to thank all the farmers that helped produce that food? Today is a great way to give #Foodthanks to all those farmers. If you are a user of social media you can post why you are giving #foodthanks in your Facebook status or use the tag #foodthanks in Twitter.

Here are a few of my own #Foodthanks  shout outs. To the:

• Turkey farmers: Did you know that 250 family farms raise 49 million turkey’s annually in Minnesota? This makes our state the number one turkey producing state.
• Potato farmers: There are potato farmers in all 50 states and 125 countries. Minnesota is ranked 6th in potato production.
• Green Bean farmers: Over 6,000 acres of green beans for processing and 500 acres of fresh green beans are harvested every year by Minnesota farmers.
• Wild Rice harvesters: A Minnesota Thanksgiving would not be complete without a wild rice hot dish. That is because Minnesota is the only state that wild rice grows wild.
• Wheat farmers: Whether it is wheat for your bread stuffing, the crust of your pumpkin pie or hot dinner rolls, wheat is one of Minnesota’s top crops. Wheat farmers plant between 2-3 million acres in Minnesota each year.
• Cranberry farmers:  Minnesota doesn’t have any cranberry farmers, but we have plenty of neighbors to our east in Wisconsin. Wisconsin cranberry growers produce enough berries each year to supply each man, women and child in the world with 26 cranberries.
• Sugarbeet farmers: Just about everything on the Thanksgiving tabel contains sugar. And if you live in Minnesota most likely you bought the sugarbeet variety (vs cane). Minnesota is number one in sugarbeet production annually.
• Pumpkin farmers: Even though Minnesota is not known for its pumpkin production (that is Illinois) The 2010 worlds largest pumpkin (from New Richland, WI) was weighed in at the Stillwater Harvest Fest this year. A whooping 1,810.5lbs.
• Grape farmers: Especially those who produce grapes for wine, like my dad. Minnesota actually has a growing wine industry. Checkout some local varieties like Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls, MN (where my dad will sell his grapes).
• Dairy farmers: Whip cream for your pie, butter for your bread, or a glass of milk with your meal. In our book, dairy farmers are the best 🙂

Just remember that all food starts at a farm somewhere, somehow. 98% of all farms are owned by individuals or families. Give thanks today and the rest of this holiday season for all those that work 365 days a year to provide nutritious food for your family.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from the Zwebers.

Emily

Zweber Farms is a 4th generation family operated organic dairy.  We are proud Organic Valley farmer members and sell our milk under that label. We also specialize in sustainably raised beef, pork and chicken and sell it directly to customers in Minnesota.Visit our website to learn more, www.zweberfarms.com