Living City Farms Newsletter
July 20th, 2026
CSA Week 7
“The rhythm of farming isn’t measured only by sunshine and harvests. It’s also measured by resilience—by showing up through changing weather, unexpected challenges, and trusting that every season carries its own rewards. The fields remind us that growth is rarely linear, but with patience and stewardship, abundance always finds its way.”
Dear Living City Farms Family,
Welcome to Week 7 of the 2026 Outdoor CSA Season!
What a week it has been here on the farm.
Last week brought one of the most unusual challenges we’ve experienced this season as smoke from the Canadian wildfires settled across Northeast Ohio, creating unhealthy air quality throughout our region. After carefully monitoring the conditions, we made the decision to send our general farm labor team home for several days to prioritize everyone’s health and safety.
While the fields never stop growing, neither does the responsibility of caring for them. Farmer Liz remained on-site to complete the essential daily tasks—including caring for our chickens and fish, irrigating crops, harvesting time-sensitive produce, manning CSA pick up windows, and ensuring everything continued running smoothly until the air improved.
Like many farms across the region, we noticed the hazy skies, muted sunshine, and challenging working conditions that came with the smoke. Even during difficult weeks, nature has an incredible way of persevering—and we’re grateful to report that the fields continue to push forward beautifully.
This week, spirits are high around the farm with the much cooler (comparatively) weather…
The recent stretch of sweet-spot weather has brought a noticeable surge in production, with green beans, lettuces, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs all beginning to hit their summer stride. Every morning seems to bring another exciting harvest, and it’s beginning to feel like the heart of summer has officially arrived.
One of our favorite milestones this week is the very first harvest of our MarzMellow Medley (San Marzano) tomatoes! These rich, meaty tomatoes are the beginning of something many of our returning CSA members eagerly anticipate each season…
Tallmadge Trio Sauce is almost back.
Made from our organically grown tomatoes, fresh Genovese basil, and Music garlic, this signature farm favorite captures everything we love about summer in a single jar. We can’t wait to begin sharing it with you again in the coming weeks.
As always, thank you for allowing us to grow food for your family.
Farm Happenings
Why Local Organic Matters More Than Ever
By now, many of you have likely heard about the recent Cyclospora outbreak linked to commercially distributed produce. While foodborne illnesses can occur in many parts of our food system, events like these serve as an important reminder of the value of knowing exactly where your food comes from.
At Living City Farms, every head of lettuce is grown right here on our Certified Organic farm, harvested by hand, washed with care, and travels only a short distance before reaching your kitchen. We know every step of its journey because we are the people growing it.
Supporting local agriculture isn’t simply about freshness—it’s about transparency, accountability, and trust. During times like these, we’re especially grateful to provide produce grown close to home by people you know.
Aquaponics Update
This week also marks an exciting milestone in our aquaponics program as we welcome a new group of Blue Tilapia into the system.
These fish play an important role in our long-term vision of building a truly regenerative, closed-loop farm ecosystem. As they settle into their new home, they’ll begin helping power the natural nutrient cycle that supports future vegetable production within our greenhouse.
We’re excited to continue sharing this journey with all of you as the system grows.
Farmer Dom Heads Overseas!
This week we also said goodbye (for now!) to Farmer Dom as he begins an incredible educational journey through Belgium and the Netherlands.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone who contributed to our GoFundMe campaign last season, along with additional support from our partners at Good Place Holdings, Dom now has the opportunity to study sustainable agriculture, innovative growing techniques, and regenerative farming practices abroad.
We’re incredibly proud of him and can’t wait to hear about everything he learns and the new ideas he’ll bring back to Living City Farms.
Safe travels, Dom!
Produce Spotlight
MarzMellow Medley Tomatoes
(First Harvest of the Season!)
This week marks the first harvest of our beautiful San Marzano tomatoes.
Known for their dense flesh, low moisture, and naturally sweet flavor, San Marzano tomatoes have long been prized for making exceptional sauces, soups, roasting, and fresh cooking.
While this week’s harvest is still small, it’s the exciting beginning of one of our favorite crops of the year—and a sure sign that peak tomato season is just around the corner.
Tea of the Week
Lavender Temple Loose Leaf Tea
This week’s herbal offering is Lavender Temple, a calming blend of organically grown Tulsi (Holy Basil) and fragrant Lavender.
Together these herbs create an aromatic, floral infusion perfect for slowing down after a busy summer day.
Enjoy it:
- Hot before bedtime
- Chilled over ice with honey
- Blended with sparkling water and lemon
- Alongside a quiet evening on the porch
(As always, consult your healthcare provider before using herbal products if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.)
Fresh From the Fields
The farm is truly beginning to overflow with summer abundance.
Green bean yields have increased dramatically this week, lettuce is looking beautiful, zucchini continues producing daily, peppers are filling harvest baskets, and tomatoes are ripening faster than ever before.
Fresh basil remains incredibly fragrant, tulsi is thriving, and our spring lettuce mix has returned just in time for midsummer salads.
Looking ahead, we’re excited for even more harvests just around the corner.
More lettuce, sweet onions, daikon and specialty radishes, lemon cucumbers, additional tomato varieties, and many other summer favorites are all growing beautifully and will soon be making their way into your CSA boxes.
Summer has only just begun.
This Week’s CSA Harvest
Basic Share
- Cherry-Go-Round Cherry Tomato Medley
- Yellowfin, Dunja, or Mexicana Zucchini
- Trilogy Bush Beans
- Mixed Sweet Peppers (Lilo or Banana)
- Spring Mix Lettuce (Oakleaf, Red Butter & Salanova Green Butter)
- Lavender Temple Loose Leaf Tea (Tulsi & Lavender)
- MarzMellow Medley Tomatoes (San Marzano) (First Harvest!)
- Fresh Sweet Genovese Basil
- Fresh Fragrant Tulsi Bouquet
- Confetti Radish Microgreens
Premium Share Additions
- Pickling Fatty Cucumber
- Mara des Bois Strawberries
- Daikon Radish OR Hardneck Music Garlic
Recipe Corner
Fresh Summer Garden Salad
Combine Spring Mix Lettuce, Cherry-Go-Round tomatoes, sliced Trilogy Bush Beans, peppers, basil, and your favorite vinaigrette.
Roasted San Marzano Tomatoes
Roast MarzMellow tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, basil, and sea salt for an incredibly flavorful side or pasta topping.
Garlic Green Bean Skillet
Quickly sauté Trilogy Bush Beans with fresh garlic, olive oil, cracked pepper, and parmesan.
Stuffed Summer Zucchini (thanks for the idea Mike Phillips!!)
Roast zucchini halves filled with tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and cheese for a simple seasonal dinner.
Lavender Temple Iced Tea
Brew your Lavender Temple tea, chill overnight, then serve over ice with local honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Stay Connected
Be sure to visit the Farmer’s Blog and follow us on social media for:
- Weekly harvest updates
- Behind-the-scenes farm life
- Seasonal recipes
- Educational workshops
- Volunteer opportunities
- Upcoming farm events
Every CSA share helps us restore soil, steward our land responsibly, strengthen our local food system, and demonstrate that farming can nourish both people and the planet.
Have a wonderful week, and we’ll see you on the farm!
With gratitude,
The Living City Farms Team
Farmer Liz, Emily, Jake, Mandy, Jess, and Dom (cheering him on in Europe!)
