Picture this: It’s a crisp autumn morning, and you’re driving along country roads with the windows down, savoring the smell of wood smoke and freshly fallen leaves. Maybe you’ve got your favorite podcast playing or the kids are in the backseat swapping stories about their week. You’re on your way to a special place—one where the food is fresh, the air is clear, and you know every purchase supports a local family.
Meet Tara Simpson
For Tara Simpson, that drive takes her all the way from Cheviot, Ohio, to the heart of Carlisle—a nearly hour-long journey that she doesn’t mind making. Why? Because, for Tara, a trip to Farm On Central isn’t just a grocery run; it’s a mini-adventure.
Tara has been a proud Farm Food Member for some time now, and her journey with us started in the most surprising of ways—with magical carrots. Yes, carrots! “One taste of those beautiful, crunchy specimens, and I was hooked,” she recalls with a laugh. “I always thought carrots tasted like cardboard. Who knew?!?”
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The Moment That Sealed the Deal
But it wasn’t just the carrots that won Tara over. One fateful day, she found herself in the middle of what she called an “egg crisis” (something many of us can relate to). Desperate, she shot us a quick email, not expecting much. But to her surprise, Michael replied almost immediately. “I made my first trip to the farm that day, and I left with more than just eggs,” she says.
Tara had tried other memberships before, but none of them quite fit. That changed when she found Farm On Central. “Farm On Central checked all my boxes and then some! Customizable? Yep! Budget-friendly? Absolutely! Option to skip when I travel? Of course! Quality food? The best! Supports a local farm and family? For sure!”
Discovering New Favorites
Since becoming a Farm Food Member, Tara has not only deepened her connection to local, seasonal eating, but she’s also expanded her culinary horizons. “Delicata squash has probably been my favorite new discovery,” she says. “I love to roast it sliced with bacon and eggs.” Her enthusiasm for new vegetables is contagious, and it’s clear she enjoys the variety that the membership offers.
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Planning meals has also become more streamlined for Tara. “I usually begin planning my meals when I’m customizing my weekly share,” she explains. “When I pick up my share, I always stop into the farm store, and the rest of my meal plan is formulated as I’m browsing the coolers and shelves.” Having access to fresh, local produce helps take the stress out of meal prep, and Tara loves that she can now explore new recipes with her family.
Cooking More Homemade Meals
With food allergies making eating out complicated, Tara has long been in the habit of cooking most of her meals at home. But the Farm Food Membership has added something special to her routine. “The membership has increased the variety of veggies I use and has been a catalyst for exploring new recipes,” she says. “As a family, we are consuming vegetables when they are in season, and it’s made such a difference.”
Tara is no stranger to the benefits of cooking with fresh ingredients, and she’s thrilled to have found a membership that makes seasonal eating easy and accessible. The variety of vegetables she now includes in her meals has enriched her family’s diet, and her weekly trips to the farm have become something she looks forward to.
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The Magic of Farm-Grown Veggies
It wouldn’t be a conversation with Tara without mentioning her favorite vegetables from the farm. “The magical carrots!” she exclaims. “Who knew carrots could taste so good?!” And then there’s the salad mix, another farm favorite of hers. “The salad mix is one of a kind. It takes some serious Harry Potter wizardry to grow lettuce with flavor.”
These magical veggies, as Tara lovingly calls them, are just part of what makes Farm On Central so special for her. She knows that every bite her family takes is fresh, flavorful, and grown with care, right here in their community.
A Rutabaga Revelation
One of Tara’s funniest food memories involves a rutabaga—and her husband’s stubborn resistance to it. “Last winter, I was making my favorite beef stew recipe when my husband saw me cutting up a rutabaga,” she remembers. “He asked what I was planning to do with that ‘giant deformed turnip.'” When Tara explained it was going into the stew, his face fell, and he was ready to rush to the big box store for potatoes.
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What he didn’t realize was that Tara had been putting rutabaga in their beef stew for the last 10 years. “He thought he had been eating potatoes this whole time!” she laughs. “The look on his face when he found out was priceless.” Turns out, it was a fun teachable moment, too! Tara says, “It was also on that day that my husband learned what a rutabaga looks like.”
Why She Keeps Coming Back
For Tara, supporting a local farm and family is one of the biggest reasons she keeps coming back. “I had explored other memberships before but never quite found the right one,” she explains. She loves knowing that every trip to the farm supports the people growing her food, and that the produce she brings home is the freshest around.
Her Farm Food Membership has become an essential part of her family’s life, helping them eat healthier, try new foods, and plan meals that celebrate the seasons. “The membership has truly been a game-changer,” Tara says.
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We Love Having Tara as Part of Our Farm Family
Tara’s journey with Farm On Central is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. Her passion for fresh, local food and her excitement about discovering new vegetables is exactly what we hope every Farm Food Member feels. Tara isn’t just a member—she’s part of our farm family.
We admire how she’s embraced seasonal eating, how she’s found joy in planning meals with her share each week, and how she’s made our produce a staple in her family’s life. Tara, you inspire us! We’re so proud to be a part of your food journey, and we love hearing your stories—especially the ones that make us laugh out loud (we’re looking at you, rutabaga!).
But more than anything, we’re grateful for your trust and enthusiasm. It’s members like you who bring our farm to life, and we’re honored to play a role in helping you and your family eat well, laugh often, and create lasting memories around your dinner table.
Does Tara’s Story Sound Familiar?
If Tara’s story resonates with you—whether you’ve found yourself marveling at the flavor of fresh, local veggies or you’ve secretly swapped a vegetable without your family noticing—you’re in the right place. At Farm On Central, we believe in more than just growing food. We believe in growing connections, memories, and moments that make life richer.
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We know that healthy, fresh meals are about more than nutrition—they’re about community, creativity, and coming together around a table. And just like Tara, we want you to feel excited about the food you serve your family, knowing it’s grown with care and love right here in your own backyard.
Tara’s story is just one of many, and we’d love for you to be part of the next chapter. Join our Farm Food Membership today, and discover how easy and joyful eating fresh, local food can be. Who knows—you might even find your own magical carrots!
See you at the farm!
