Living City Farms Newsletter
July 6th, 2026
CSA Week 5
“A thriving farm isn’t built in a single season—it’s built day by day through countless small acts of care. Behind every ripe tomato, every bouquet of herbs, and every basket of fresh vegetables are hands that planted, weeded, watered, harvested, washed, and packed with purpose. Great farms don’t happen by accident—they grow because people choose, every day, to care for the land and for one another.”
Dear Living City Farms Family,
Welcome to Week 5 of the 2026 Outdoor CSA Season!
What a week it has been!
The heat that settled over Northeast Ohio last week was absolutely relentless. Long days under the summer sun pushed everyone on the farm to their limits, but our incredible team showed up every single day to keep the crops healthy and your CSA shares growing.
We also hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Fourth of July weekend! The short holiday break was much needed for all of us here at Living City Farms, giving our team a chance to recharge before diving into what promises to be one of the busiest harvest seasons of the year.
When people picture a beautiful farm, they often imagine rows of vibrant vegetables, colorful flowers, and overflowing harvest baskets. What they don’t always see are the early mornings before sunrise, the countless weeds pulled by hand, the heavy harvest bins, the washing, packing, cleaning, and the thousands of small tasks that happen every single day.
Beautiful farms don’t simply exist—they’re built by hardworking people who deeply care about the land.
None of this would be possible without an amazing team.
This week, we’d simply like to ask one thing:
Thank a farmer.
Whether it’s our crew here at Living City Farms or another local grower in your community, your support makes this work possible. Every purchase, every CSA membership, every encouraging word, and every conversation about local food helps keep farms like ours thriving.
From Farm Manager Liz:
“One of the greatest blessings of managing Living City Farms has been watching this team grow—not just the vegetables, but the people.
This past week, as temperatures climbed into the 90s, I found myself looking around the fields with a lot of gratitude. Being 25 weeks pregnant has changed what I can physically do during harvest, which means I’ve had to lean on our team more than ever before. They never hesitate to jump in, carry the heavier loads, or help wherever it’s needed.
Farming has always been hard work, but it’s also deeply meaningful work. Every tomato picked, every bunch of herbs harvested, every mushroom grown, and every CSA box packed represents hours of care from people who genuinely believe in feeding our community well.
I’m incredibly proud of this team, and I hope every time you unpack your CSA share, you know just how much heart went into it.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your family’s table.”
— Farmer Liz
Farm Happenings’
Rain Makes the Strawberries Smile
After battling the intense heat, our strawberry patch received exactly what it needed over the holiday weekend.
The steady rainfall brought the plants back to life, and they’ve responded beautifully. This week’s Mara des Bois strawberries are some of the sweetest we’ve picked this season, and we’re thrilled to once again include them in your CSA shares.
You’ll also begin seeing fresh strawberries available again at Krieger’s Natural Foods, so if you fall in love with these wonderfully fragrant berries, you’ll have another chance to enjoy them!
Sometimes Mother Nature reminds us that a little patience—and a good rainstorm—can make all the difference.
The Zucchinis Are Almost Here!
We’re checking the zucchini patch every morning, and they’re getting closer by the day.
If everything continues as expected, fresh zucchini should begin harvesting by the end of this week, making their way into next week’s CSA boxes and appearing at our self-serve farm stand later this week.
Until then, we’re excited to share one of our favorite seasonal delicacies…
Sunfire Zucchini Blossoms
The bright golden blossoms of the zucchini plant are one of summer’s most treasured harvests. Their delicate texture and mild flavor make them incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Try them:
• Stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, garlic, and herbs before lightly frying
• Filled with whipped goat cheese, fresh basil, and lemon zest before baking
• Chopped into omelets or frittatas
• Folded into creamy risotto or fresh pasta
• Lightly battered and served with warm marinara as an elegant summer appetizer
Their season is incredibly short, making them one of summer’s true culinary treasures.
This Week’s Herbal Spotlight
Inside this week’s CSA you’ll find our newest herbal tea blend: Summer Meadow Calm
Crafted from organically grown lemon balm and yarrow, this calming herbal infusion is bright, lightly floral, and wonderfully refreshing.
Lemon balm has long been appreciated for its gentle citrus aroma and relaxing qualities, while yarrow has been treasured in traditional herbalism for generations. Together they create a beautifully balanced tea that’s delicious served warm in the evening or poured over ice during hot summer afternoons.
Fresh from the Fields
Summer abundance is building quickly across the farm.
Cherry tomatoes continue to sweeten on the vine, peppers are sizing up beautifully, garlic has now cured for a full week, and nearly every day brings something new ready for harvest.
The coming weeks promise even more colorful harvests as zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and additional peppers begin reaching peak production.
We can hardly wait to share it all with you.
This Week’s CSA Harvest
Basic Share
• One-Week Cured Music Garlic Bulbs
• Mara des Bois Strawberries
• Cherry-Go-Round Mixed Cherry Tomatoes
• Tulsi (Holy Basil) Bouquet
• Sunfire Zucchini Blossoms
• Summer Meadow Calm Herbal Tea
(Lemon Balm & Yarrow)
• Sweet Baby Astro Arugula
• Purslane
• Confetti Radish Microgreens
• Broccoli Microgreens OR Spicy Microgreens
Premium Share Additions
• Farm Fresh Multicolor Eggs
• Mixed Sweet Pepper Bag
(Lilo Purple, Banana & Sweet Green Peppers)
Recipe Corner
Crispy Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
Fill blossoms with ricotta, parmesan, garlic, and fresh herbs before dipping in a light batter and frying until crisp and golden.
Holy Basil Summer Tea
Steep fresh tulsi leaves with honey and lemon for a refreshing herbal tea served hot or iced.
Garlic Tomato Bruschetta
Dice Cherry-Go-Round tomatoes with minced Music garlic, olive oil, basil, flaky salt, and balsamic vinegar before serving over toasted bread.
Summer Farm Salad
Layer arugula, purslane, strawberries, confetti radish microgreens, sliced sweet peppers, toasted walnuts, and goat cheese with a light vinaigrette.
Sweet Pepper Skillet
Quickly sauté your colorful peppers with garlic and olive oil for an easy summer side dish.
Stay Connected
Be sure to visit the Farmer’s Blog and follow us on social media for:
• Weekly harvest updates
• Farm events
• Educational workshops
• Behind-the-scenes farm life
• Volunteer opportunities
• Seasonal recipes
Thank you for supporting local agriculture, local families, and regenerative farming here in Northeast Ohio.
Every CSA share helps us continue restoring soil, growing nutritious food, strengthening our local food system, and proving that agriculture can heal both people and the planet.
We truly couldn’t do it without you.
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
