We Sent 4 Trucks & 2 Trailers to July 4th Markets — Was It Worth It?

The Fourth of July market rush starts long before the trucks ever leave the farm. On July 3, our crew faced one of the busiest prep days of the season as we harvested zucchini, cucumbers, yellow squash, and pickling cucumbers, washed produce, packed box trucks, and loaded trailers for six different market locations. The day before the Fourth is often much busier than the holiday itself, and with July 3 falling on a Friday this year, it created the perfect storm. We also had to work around extreme heat and humidity, starting early and finishing our fieldwork before the worst of the afternoon heat arrived. Along the way, I explain how we pack produce for different markets, why certain items go on certain trucks, and what it takes to keep six locations supplied at the same time. Then, on the morning of July 4, four trucks and two trailers pulled out of the driveway. Our second produce trailer made its season debut at my hometown farmers market, while our crews filmed setup, sales, and teardown at Worthington and Clintonville. Some markets had strong days. Others were just average, and a few struggled badly. After all the harvesting, washing, packing, loading, driving, selling, and unloading, was sending four trucks and two trailers to six markets really worth it? #farming #farmersmarket #vegetablefarming #farmvlog #july4th #ohiofarming