Good-bye, Mutti!

We are sad to share with you that, after eighty-four years, Barnhild Pfenning – Almut’s mother who was now living on the Hack Farm near Kincardine under the loving care of her oldest daughter, Elke and her husband, Martin (we wrote about this in our last Newsletter # 272) – has unexpectedly relinquished her physical presence on this earth.

Mutti (or mommy), as she was lovingly called by her children as well as her sons and daughters-in-law, was the heart of the family and the soul of the Pfenning’s Farm for many decades. For all of us, she set an example of what it’s like to nonchalantly excel at a task – especially hoeing – and be manifestly happy doing so at the same time. It was in 1981 when Mutti came to Canada with her husband, the late Wilhelm Pfenning, and their four children, three of whom were underage. They all worked diligently and steadfastly as a whole family  towards establishing what became known as Pfenning’s Organic Vegetable Farm – a very pioneering organic farming venture for the time in Canada. Mutti, with the help of her family, also ran the farm store which was open a couple days a week for customers to buy their lettuce, carrots, potatoes and more, right off the farm. This is the little out-of-the-barn farm store that became Pfenning’s Organic & More when Almut took it over in 1993 (you can read more about that here).

In our Store, we have been striving ever since to keep the qualities and the spirit alive that Mutti embodied and that are still flourishing within our midst: friendly and accepting of everyone and everybody, diligent, hard-working, alternative-minded and – together with her husband, Wilhelm – always supportive of the natural, holistic and non-invasive, non-coercive approach, with an indomitable
joy for life.

During the time we were honoured with Mutti’s presence here on earth, we – Mutti, Almut and our daughter, Barnhild, named after her grandmother (and sometimes Wolfgang too) – were so fortunate to spend some leisure time with her on the island resort in her beloved Cuba. For many years, Mutti and Wilhelm travelled to Cuba, as circumstances permitted, for some relaxation time away from the ever-pressing duties which she lovingly embraced, yet was thankful to briefly replace with a well-earned vacation in this tropical paradise.

Needless to say, Mutti always left her mark – be it in Cuba or wherever she was. It was the mark which defined her as an authentic human being: portraying her steadfast and unperturbed presence as a genuine expression of caring and
mindful humanness.

Mutti, we all dearly miss you!

Public Health Policy

Public Health Policy at Pfenning's Organic & More - the Store

Please, be assured that at Pfenning's Organic & More we strive to comply with general public health policies at all times, including those enacted in response to the COVID situation, and concurrently implement evidence-based health and safety measures to keep our health food store safe and sanitary for the benefit of our valued customers. We also acknowledge and respect exemptions to the masking mandate outlined in the by-law - as well as in its amendment - and in compliance with the emergency orders of the Province of Ontario.

We suggest you take a closer look at the following resources at your own discretion. They will present you with perspectives that you may not be aware of and that may also have considerable bearing on your health.

• Mask Facts: The Science and History of Masks in Medicine

• 20 Reasons Mandatory Face Masks are Unsafe, Ineffective and Immoral

• The Face Mask Debate: Do Public Mask Mandates Curb the Spread of COVID-19?

• Dr. Hodkinson Interviewed by Randy Hillier

• Jim Meehan MD’s TOP 10 Reasons Why You Don’t Need a Mask

• Effects of Mouth and Nose Covering (Mask) in Children

• Danger of Masks (esp. in Seniors) by Impeding Visual Field

• Dr. Fauci et al: No Asymptomatic Transmission – Masks Not Recommended

• Non-Medical Masks and Face-Coverings; Public Health Ontario page : Check Note at bottom of page!
• 3 Frontline Doctors speak out on Medical Cenosrship

Wishing you all health, sanity and the open-mindedness to judiciously take note of the presented perspectives.

With sincere devotion,

Wolfgang

Introducing: The BITZI Box!

Agreed, we are not champions of the Blog. However, to resurrect our tarnished Blog reputation, we must maintain that our regularly sent out Newsletters - Veggies on Wheels, our monthly Home Delivery Newsletter, and Almut's weekly Store News and Specials update - have attained more importance than a simple Blog. We do also seem to get more response and feedback through these Newsletters, which you can always subscribe to here if you haven't yet.

There is, however, the introduction of a NEW Food Basket which we would like to make you aware of.

Introducing: The BITZI Box!

We are introducing this Box as an answer to all of our customers who may at times be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of produce coming to you in our regular small and large-sized Baskets. The BITZI Box has only about 6-8 items and - as all Boxes - is planned new by Almut every week. It can include LOCAL AND IMPORT produce, mostly veggies and some fruit, and costs ONLY $20.00 - just enough for a single or small household.

So don't be overwhelmed, go ahead and try the BITZI Box!

Grieving Andreas Pfenning

The Pfennings family is grieving the tragic loss of Andreas Pfenning, Ekk and Jennifer Pfenning's oldest son (24) and Almut and Wolfgang's nephew.

If you would like to offer your condolences, you may do so here.

A heartfelt thank you to all for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Wolfgang, Almut & the Pfennings Family

Back for another Year!

Back for another year - and another Blog! About time, as one would say. Nothing new since last April? Not really. The summer was very frenzied and an exceptional challenge, as you may suspect. Have a look at our last Newsletter for a recap of the growiing year. But now, heading towards the more peaceful, less agitated time of the year, there is more time for reflection and inner contemplation.

Before that "inner part" becomes too dominating, I must point to our amazing selection of Vegetables and fruits in our upcoming Food Baskets, the second week of Baskets in the New Year. Yes, this is the so-called meagre time of the year. However, looking at the rich and varied selection offered by our Food Baskets, some may beg to differ.

Looking back at the past growing season (you may have read the recap in the meantime), it becomes clear that there is a lot of work and effort behind everything we eat. This may escape one's view when beholding the nutritional abundance still at our disposal. But just recently, we were told that vegetable prices for things from California (most of our fruits and veggies come from there in the winter) may rise again due to heavy rains. Rain in California sounds good, after the prolonged drought (now in its fifth year) they have been having - just not so much in such a short time.

Well, as you probably know now, we too had a drought last summer, and we did sorely feel it. Things didn't grow or even germinate. Then they grew too fast. What ended up growing often turned out small or flawed. We can still see the results now when we package small heads of cabbage, scabby potatoes and timy onions. These are things we must live with - and do live with. Despite all of these stumbling blocks, we are still very happy to be able to offer you such a beautiful selection of Food Baskets. As always, thank you for your ongoing support - and looking forward to offering you another year of the best in organic home delivery, far and wide!

Farewell Local Fruit

On this beautiful begiining of autumn, we also have to mention that the prosperous time of local (Palatine Niagara) fruit is drawing to an end. This week's Baskets are still  featuring Pears, Peaches, Plums and some even Nectarines - all from Palatine Fruits in Niagara. We are sad to see the last fruit run this week. You will enjoy their fruit in our Baskets yet coming week, but then we will need to go back to fruit from more remote regions, such as B.C., California, Mexico and South America. it was very nice while it lasted, and we will be looking forward to next year's offerings.

In the meantime, it appears that this is Organic Week. This kind of passed us by, since we have about 52 organic weeks every year. One more or less does not make all that much difference to us.

For all of us who are thankful for any celebration, we wish you a Happy Organic Week!

Back to School

Happy Labour Day!

Yes, we ARE delivering this week, despite today's holiday - just to appease some of the rumours out there and reassure anyone still double-guessing. We hope you are enjoying this splendid barbecue-style holiday!

It's that time again - back to school, during some of the hottest days yet of this summer.  If all children are like our own, they will be looking forward to going back, more or less and in spite of themselves. The summer was long and hot, but a lot of our young ones spent it working. For many of them, school is the promise of more civil, perhaps less strenuous activities and a return to acquiring more theoretical knowledge which they will be able to test for its practical value when the next school vacation rolls around.

NIAGARA FRUIT and WHOLE FRESH CHICKENS NEARING END

Summer is almost over and Palatine Fruit deliveries from Niagara will soon be too. Our next-to-last Whole Fresh Chicken run is coming to an end by this Friday. So if you missed getting on the Chicken List, you may still be in luck if you would like to give it a try, either by calling us at the Store - 519-725-4282 - or clicking here to order. If you did miss it, despair not. There will be one more Chicken Run coming in November - stay tuned.

WELCOME BACK!

We are also welcoming back all of you who were away for the summer and are back with us, either by receiving a Food Box or by visiting us at the Store. It is our great pleasure to continue bringing you all the organic goodness you aspire to, from near and far, just as we have been doing faithfully since 1998. My oh my, how time goes by...

An enjoyable rest of summer to all of you!

Happy "Dog Days"

... as they say at this very hot time of the year. Gradually, rain would be appreciated again, although the situation is not critical yet.

In this week's BLENDER BASKETS, as a last-minute decision we had to leave out the planned Palatine Cherries due to some quality issues. We replaced them with a Pear, a Gala Apple and two Oranges.

PALATINE FRUIT

If you are still new with the near-sustainably grown Palatine Fruit, just go the The Good Peach to learn more and order local fruit from the Niagara Region. One of the locations it is delivered to is our Store in St. Agatha where you can pick it up. You can also have it delivered to your house just like a Food Box order.

Orders can generally be placed by Wednesday noon for pick-up at the Store on Friday or by Sunday noon for pick-up at the Store by Wednesday. If you prefer delivery and live in the outlying areas (any location other than Kitchener-Waterloo) which are delivered on Tuesdays, such as Cambridge Brantford, Guelph and Stratford, you may want to place your order for Friday. We can keep it in the cooler for you and then deliver it to you on Tuesday. Wednesday deliveries can order for Tuesday and we can deliver to you on Wednesday, if requested. Just let US KNOW that you ordered fruit at THE GOOD PEACH and would like it delivered. Call 519-725-4282 or email us.

DELIVERY BREAK August 4/5

As you may know, there will be NO DELIVERIES coming Civic Holiday week, August 4/5. We will be back for regular deliveries again the week after, August 11/12.

Many of you are still on holidays, but we will be looking forward to welcoming you back in August and the coming weeks. You will be returning to an incredible variety of local organic production from Pfenning's Farm and some fifty more organic growers in the immediate region.

Here's hoping you all enjoy the remainder of this beautiful summer!

BANANA BREAK (for Small Blender)

After an extended spring silence, things are picking up - and give opportunity for a quick update.

Banana Break for Small Blender

All Small Blender Basket recipients, please, take note that this week - June 9/10 - there will be NO BANANAS. Instead, you wiill find a deliciously juicy and tasty Anjou Pear. A recent Banana delivery lag has imposed this measuer on us. Thank you for playing along!

Pfenning's Farm NEW SITE

In other news, you may want to have a look at the Pfenning's Farm's new site, especially their Blog, where you may see interesting updates and pictures from the Farm. After all that rain and the near-tropical growing conditions, things are really taking off.

Chicken List

Finally, if you have not yet gotten your name on the Chicken List for our soon to come Farm-Fresh Pasture-Raised Whole Roasters, you may want to do so by visiting our Fresh Chicken order Page. Just another 3-4 weeks and they will be ready for pick-up at the Store... or delivery if you get in touch with us to set it up.

A terrific month of June to all!

Welcome to You All

Hello to You All!

This is Almut, Wolfgang's better half and business partner. I am reporting to 'blog-duty!"

To bring more variety into this site I thought it would be good to share some of my knowledge with you ALL.

Today's topic is about the ALPHA Premium coconut oil.

We sell ALPHA coconut oil in the store. It comes in the DME brand (Fair Trade and hand-pressed) and the Premium brand.

Alpha is discontinuing the Premium brand for the following reasons:

• Factory-made coconut oils keep farmers and labourers in poverty
• At Alpha, we have a commitment to provide you with ethically sourced, high quality products
• We're committing 100% to DME™, because everyone in the DME™ process is paid fairly

Here is the link if you want to know more!

We have many jars (500ml & 1.75L)and pails (4L & 10L) left if you want to stock up.

Please give us feedback on the Coconut Oil you want to see in our store!

Organically yours,

Almut