New machine and New process
Things have been busy!
There is nothing like the logistics and mental gymnastics of establishing a new process, whatever it is.
The new machine has gone through a dry run. Well, as you can see from the photo it was not so dry… It sure is a messy process. But, It cranks!!
I started the trial run with a systematic approach, hoping to get through all my juice blends and test out some different press bag filter sizes to compare the final product. When it came time to juice ginger (which has always been tough on machinery) I decided to juice the entire 30 pound case at once. Partly because the juicer was able to handle way bigger batches than I was giving it, so I was curious, but also because I didn’t want to have to come back to the ginger later.
The machine gobbled it up in about 20 minutes, and I was smitten. Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to using this thing.
Part of the process involves tweaking some of the recipes because yields aren’t the same (they are actually a little lower), so if the juice tastes a little different, that is why. I will do my best to keep things as consistent as possible. Because the juicer works differently I can do a lot more with it, so I am looking forward to coming up with some new juices and hoping to bring in the Farmer’s Friend, which is the Mobile Juice Bar’s top seller in the summer. Keep your eyes peeled!
A little less glamorous has been the navigation of the health regulations for the sale of raw juice and labeling requirements. It has been difficult to get solid answers, but what seems the most secure is that I am able to sell it direct to consumer, but not able to wholesale it to then be re-sold. So you can’t buy this just anywhere! I am working to navigate a path forward to hopefully, eventually, see if we can get a plan for wholesale. It sounds like there is a chance we can get cleared for flash frozen raw juice if the process is approved. This would be very exciting!
In the meantime, I am beyond happy to make you juice. We get to keep it personal and hyper local, and supportive of all things local.
Oh! That reminds me! You can now buy juice by the bottle! Same ordering and pickup schedule as the program but it’s a one time purchase. Try before you commit.
If you haven’t signed up yet for the spring season, now is the time! Orders are due February 28th in order to get juice by the first pickup March 9th. CLICK HERE to sign up.
Take care and be well.