Lettuce Chat, Lettuce Romaine Calm, 8/15/2026

Howdy Friends and Fans! Welcome to this edition of Lettuce Chat "Lettuce Romaine Calm". Today we are discussing "romaining calm" in the midst of "gasp, where can we find safe lettuce?". The news has really gotten people stirred up and worried about the lettuce contamination issues, and yes we do share the concern. Believe me when I say that we don't just eat Loudoun Lettuce for every meal (shocking, I know). We shop, too. We eat out, too. We prefer to trust our vendors and eat out at places we know.  There's nothing wrong with being a regular at a farm stand or restaurant where you know the producer and chef is providing safe food selections. That brings calm, right? There's no pearl clutching here.

Recently a long time Friend and local journalist Fan Karen Graham wrote a fantastic article about us, (thanks Karen!!) and local folks who have never knew we existed discovered that there are indeed sources of safe produce right in their own back yard. Thanks to this, we have met so many new faces lately, and gosh we're just so humbled by your purchases and visits to the farm! Just yesterday alone, I had the pleasure of meeting a long time Friend and Fan (HI Ms. B. Smith!!) who came all the way from Falls Church Market to see us, plus several new smiling faces who just found out about us.

"Why haven't we ever heard of you before?!!" It's never too late, y'all. It's never too late. It's true, we are a local little gem, well-too-kept secret, right here in Loudoun County. Hidden down a road, in an unsuspecting area, just past a fantastic neighborhood, sits our two greenhouses, a place of calm and collected lettuce composure, ready to serve you. We're just glad you decided to come find us in our little neck of the woods.

Another thing we are hearing from Friends and Fans is the concern that we might not have enough lettuce or we might sell out of product. Lettuce bring a bit more calm to you by reassuring you that we are "ready Freddie", and will be here to see you through this bump in the road. ESH is a 365 operation, and have been for 27 years, committed to growing the best lettuce items in the land...above the land...in the water. You know what I mean! If you show up at the farm stand (during open hours), we WILL have what you need. Ok, herbs selling out before Wednesday and Honor Cooler selling out on Saturday aside, we will never be sold out of Loudoun Lettuce at the farm. Those are two distinct and rare phenomena that we are working to minimize. And we're working with our local vendors to maintain the steady supply of fresh lettuce for their shelves.

I mentioned that we are a year-round operation. It's true! Seasons don't stop us. Falls Church market and local Friends and Fans can testify that we have year-round lettuce blends and herbs. Volume may ebb and flow in summer versus winter, but we never stop growing your favorites. Heads up: the lean times do require pre-ordering to guarantee availability. Arriving to the Honor Cooler early-ish is also wise. However, our Loudoun Lettuce still shines as bright as our greenhouse lights in the winter.

On the subject of pre-ordering: for those who shop online, please note that we have two options for getting your goods, and they look like shipping or delivery options (I can't do it any other way). One is for Falls Church market customers to pick up at the market on Saturday. The second option is Farm Stand pick up here at ESH. (Should you choose to come to the farm, please let me know when you want to pick up your lettuce.) We have very rarely shipped lettuce to folks, and when the temperatures are hot, shipping is risky and expensive. (Also, we only "door-dash" bags to my best friend or MET's best friend, wink wink!)

Friends and Fans, if you have questions, feel free to start with perusing our website (www.EndlessSummerHarvest.org), "Our Commitment to You" page, FAQ page, any blog post, or just reach out!

Everybody is asking our take on the whole shebang. My not-so-high-and-lofty opinion remains this: buy local, meet your farmers, support small operations, and lettuce romaine calm. We've got you!

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  Why Hydroponic Food Production

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  Mary Ellen Taylor, proprietress of ESH

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  Stages of greenhouse growth

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  Loudoun Lettuce Blend

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  Arugula in the greenhouse