FFF | Tips for Meals in the Field

Hey everybody welcome back to another Farm Fact Friday hope you’ve had a wonderful week here in Northwest Ohio it’s still a bit cold and wet but we know spring all the hustle and bustle that’s associated with it is soon to come. So today I just wanted to spend some time talking about tips for meals in the field. So even if you know you’re you’re not farming this may be helpful for um you know any other opportunities where you’re eating on the go but especially you know as we get into the fields and get busier you want things to continue going it may be different from one family to another of how you handle your meals but I know a lot of people are grab and go or making deliveries at the field. So that the tractors and such continue to move so I’ve got a lot of stuff in front of me just a few tips that maybe you have all these in your back pocket already maybe something you’ll find useful if you have something to contribute of course we would love to hear uh what you have to say as well.

So let’s get to it um one thing that’s very helpful if you’re packing your lunch at the beginning of the day or just want snacks until those meal times simply taking the drink of choice that’s non-carbonated uh drinking some out of it and putting it in the freezer and then when you take it out the next day to put in your cooler it can not only serve as your drink once it melts but it would also be like an ice pack. So you’re saving the room in your cooler but also supplying yourself with a drink so that’s pretty helpful um we know preparation is key you know understanding where people are going to be at to know how we can facilitate that meal you know maybe it’s something that we just got to keep the tractor going we’ve got to work ground to keep ahead of the planter that’s of course important. So if we stop that ground’s not getting work that planner’s gonna catch up to it and then we’re we’re kind of on a bit of a delay. So having things ready in advance is nice where you know if you’re the person putting the meals together it always saves some time. So things like you know your fruits and vegetables you get them from the store clean them up wash them up have them ready to go so you can just pack them and go very helpful always great to have snacks with you you know in case you get a little bit hungry before actual meal time and if you have kids in the cab with you trust me snacks are important to keep them entertained. So you know things like little candy bars, fruit snacks maybe it’s you know Chex mix or trail mix whatever you like that will keep you content until the actual meal time you know sandwiches are pretty common at least on on our farm with what we provide during meal time you know if you’re bored with just the cold meat sandwiches if you cook burgers if there’s any time between you know when you cook the burger and you take it to the field if you don’t want that that bun to be soggy um but you want the burger to be hot after you get done cooking the meat just put it in some aluminum foil wrap it up tight put your bun in a baggie and then they can assemble it at the field. So that it’s hot but not a soggy bun this next one came by accident ran out of hamburger buns but had bratwurst buns on hand so filled the bratwurst bun with shredded barbecue beef and feedback was that it was easier to handle than a hamburger bun so may want to consider a hot dog bun or a bratwurst bun instead of a hamburger bun just to make it easier for that farmer to drive and eat at the same time just a thought um always nice to have something on hand like a bag full of all the things that you’re probably going to get asked for and then you’re going to say oh shoot I forgot that at home. So if you just have a bag during this time of the year and just keep it stocked of the essentials it usually is very helpful and very much appreciated so that could be things like you know your plastic ware maybe some cups and napkins children or not baby wipes are always nice especially for dirty hands at least to get some of that grime off of them before they they eat their meal this could also be the bag you know with condiments have to refrigerate some of them when you get back but something you could quickly throw in there and then have it in that bag as you move from field to field depending on how many tractors and people you have out doing the work. So very nice very handy and make sure that you have what people may ask for then the the other part to think about is how you’re packing the meals so it’s always nice to be eco-friendly I get that um don’t like to waste too much but the alternative is sending something like your nice plastic wear and then getting it back with disgusting food that didn’t get touched or they didn’t eat it all uh and then you’re left with cleaning that or maybe just tossing it anyway. So maybe an okay time that we just send you know baggies of grapes instead of a container of grapes so if you have someone that’s very good about bringing back their plastic wear great do that but if you’re finding yourself throwing away the plastic wear because of what’s left inside of it I think it’s okay to go ahead and use your plastic baggies and then finally depending on whether you’re able to you know stop and have a meal at the field or if it’s you know if it’s just drop it and go so they can keep going it is nice when you are able especially if you do this as a family to throw a blanket in your truck or your van or car and lay it out and allow that time to it’s not a it’s not a meal around the table but it’s still a family meal and those will serve as great memories for your children growing up if you are able to stop and have that meal together.

So with that I hope you have enjoyed a little bit about tips for meals in the field like I said if you have any tips I would love to hear them because as someone that gets to help with this collaboratively with with the family always looking for ways to to do things better. So with that have a great rest of your Friday a wonderful weekend and we’ll check you back next week for another Farm Fact Friday see ya!