TECHNICOLOR TOMATOES
Hello Chimacum Corner Community!
In the Piedmont of North Carolina, at the age of twenty nine, I finally learned how to pronounce the word “tomato”: duh-may-da. In the South, you can grow 200 foot rows of great big lunkers en plein air. Not so in our lil biome. The special skill and attention required to grow tomatoes seems to me to be what lends the air of majesty with which people select and consume tomatoes in the Northwest. As it is officially-unofficially “tomato girl summer,” we thought it pertinent to give a rundown of the latest fashions in Jefferson County nightshades. King ‘Mater himself, John Bellow of Spring Rain, is joined by a whole courtly retinue of growers this year to create a wonderful display of the best darn local tomatoes you can hope to get your hands on. Here’s another southern trick that will make your head spin: tomato sandwiches with peanut butter and miracle whip?!? Don’t knock until you’ve tried. So whether you like a straight up and down red beefsteak from Chimalow or Red Dog, or the intense psychedelia of Spring Rain’s “Strangelove” tomato, or you’re canning Midori Oxhearts, we’ve got a bevy of sumptuous fruits for your consideration. In defiance of Guy Clark’s famous decree, you actually CAN buy homegrown tomatoes at the Corner. True love, we’re still workin’ on. ;)
Best Local Toms
For as big of an ox as John Bellow is, he moves with the alacrity of a jaguar hot on the scent of some prey. His target: a reasonably sized workday (at least for a farmer). SpringRain Farm has made one of their hallmarks the Heirloom Tomato, after years of careful growing and proving and hoophouse expansions and the like. The heirlooms remain the sole province of John, as he is uniquely aware of a properly ripened tomato, having handled likely into the tens of thousands of pounds of heirlooms at this point. This year’s crop has been particularly on point, with old standards but also some new faces like “Strangelove.” Chimalow is holding it down in the beefsteak department as well, with some resolute lunkers that have a nice firm body nevertheless. Cherry tomatoes come in mixed pints from Stellar J Farm and straight sungolds from SpringRain. Cherry tomatoes are also currently on sale, down a buck and half from their original rate to an attractive $5.49. There is a whole litany of reasons to get excited about nightshades at this time, and tomatoes just scratch the surface!
Case Deals
If you are after some homemade tomato sauce ingredients, look no further than Midori Farm’s Oxheart tomatoes! Available in abundant loads of 10# cases. Full body tear-drop shaped red canners, these babies are a consensus local farm favorite for all your saucing endeavors. Score these stunners for $38 on 10 pounds, over two dollars off per pound! We have added some 10# cases of Red Dog Beefsteak Tomatoes as well, for $30! We are also getting speckled romas in limited quantities from Frog Hill Farm and Chimalow Produce.
Achin’ for Bacon
Every B.L.T starts with B, and B is for Bacon, baby! We are proud to carry fine pastured-pork products from Martin and Charlotte of One Straw Ranch. We have regular sized strips of uncured bacon from them, as well as the mouth-watering loin bacon cuts, both at the same price per pound. We also have Niman Ranch bacon slacked out in the refrigerated back corner of the store as well, if you are in a pinch time-wise. Shop small and shop local, it’s only fair to treat your heirloom tomato to a top notch sidekick! We also have great local head lettuce still going strong from Stellar J, Soft Step, and Red Dog Farm to augment your BLT experience as well. Of course, there is also the consideration of the bread vessel for said BLT. For a classic flave, we suggest snagging a loaf of Grandma’s Deli from Pane D’Amore! Fluffy, wide slices are preferred for sopping up all that mayo and grease! Bon appetit!
Soil Sale
Take advantage of some late season savings in the soil category at the Chimacum Corner Nursery! All Cedar Grove soils are buy 2, get one free. Please note that you must buy two of the same kind of soil to unlock the third free bag, which would also be the same kind (i.e. three composts, or three potting soils, or three booster blends). Booster blend makes a nice top dressing for tucking in plants that have been cut back for the season. In addition to deals on Cedar Grove, we have a buy-one-get-one-half-off deal on the Seacoast brand Potting Soil bags. Seacoast is the true cadillac of prepared soils, being Demeter Certified Biodynamic, and we are proud to be a listed vendor on their website. Stow some away in the shed for next spring at a discounted rate. Or use some to up-pot your new PNW native plants you just purchased from the Nursery! The choice is yours, Obi Wan Soil-nobi. Please note that these deals are also while supplies last for the 2025 season!
Think Of The Pastabilities
Once you’ve got your Oxhearts from Midori a-simmerin’, time to turn your attention to preparing a base layer for that marinara. Fortunately for you, the pasta line from Bionaturae brand is all on sale. Whether you like pappardelle, chiocciole, or just plain penne, it is definitely worth stopping for a reload next time you are passing by the pasta rack at the Corner. Not to be outpaced, the Capello’s brand of gluten-free raviolis (five cheese and butternut squash) are also on deal as well. Those would pair well with a batch of locally made pesto from SpringRain or Serendipity Farm. The “pastabilities” are endless!
Happy Workiversary Turnip
This week are celebrating the official 15 year “workiversary” of Turnip Sprout, our official mascot, fearless messenger and all around stellar bundle of fluff. She was hired on August 30th, 2010. Her first gig? “Chick model” for the original mural on the outside of the Corner building (of which only the large rooster remains). Her modelling gig paid off, as she has become something of an icon, Chimacum’s version of the “Nike Swoosh.” There is an extremely endearing article written about Turnip’s journey to Official Mascot which we highly suggest re-reading in commemoration of her dedication to the Corner. And don’t forget to show your love of little miss Sprout by stocking up on more CCF official gear. In honor of 15 years, the Corner will be gifting Turnip a whole sling tote full of Scratch N’ Peck. That should last her about 15 more years!
Want to Join Team Turnip?
We’re Hiring!
GROCERY BUYER LEVEL 2 or 3
We have a rare opportunity for a BUYER LEVEL II or III to join the Corner Grocery Team! Our buyers curate our tasty selection of grocery items, and each has responsibility over assigned departments. The buyers work as a close-knit team, support each other in managing their sets and inventory, and collaborate with the stocking team to keep the grocery floor full and abundant.
KITCHEN PRODUCTION & PREP
We’ve got multiple positions on the Corner Kitchen’s culinary team as a PRODUCTION MANAGER or PREP COOK to prepare fresh, local, and organic food for the community. Help create our full lineup of grab-and-go items, including sandwiches, salads, wraps, and breakfast. Duties include efficient prep, production, and clean up and the desire to contribute to strong team cohesion.
