Farm and self-owned land
FARM AND SELF-OWNED LAND
In December 2013
The foundation encourages the cultivation of vegetables and encourages merchants and customers to claim their own land. Through mutual participation, they support healthy soil and water recycling systems. The restaurant uses a range of homemade and organic products such as tea, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and other products.
At the foundation’s urging, merchants took practical action to support the Million Forest public welfare organization, which focuses on afforestation. They donate to plant one hundred sea buckthorn trees in impoverished areas in the western region every month. Each sea buckthorn tree can absorb 1.66 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year, which can change the local ecological environment and improve the income of local farmers.
The merchant uses rice and brown rice produced in an environment free from “industrial three wastes” pollution, in a native ecological growing environment. In the same rice field, rice is grown alongside crabs, with the rice protecting the crabs, the crabs eating insect bait, and the crab feces fertilizing the fields. This natural food chain involves no pesticides, no fertilizers, and is environmentally friendly. The rice grains have low starch content, strong toughness, are glutinous but not sticky, and are nutrient-rich.
The merchant uses non-genetically modified oil for cooking, taking natural factors into full consideration.
The salt used by the merchant comes from a well over a kilometer deep, pure, healthy, and uncontaminated, rich in minerals but without iodine. The salt production technique, which has been used for over two thousand years, is listed in the national intangible cultural heritage directory. The merchant washes all vegetables with well salt, ensuring they are safe and residue-free.
The merchant’s sauces include homemade spicy mushroom sauce, green mustard seasoning sauce, fermented black bean sauce, sesame sauce, peanut sauce, and monk fruit throat-soothing sauce, all of which are homemade and hygienic.
The vinegar used by the merchant is made from pure natural green materials and is brewed using a 3000-year-old traditional natural method.
The merchant’s tea is based on health and organic principles and includes year-round homemade health soy milk, daily different types of cool tea in spring and summer, traditional sour plum soup, red bean coix seed water, and more.
In April 2014
The foundation encourages merchants to connect with more villages and use local products. For example, in a self-claimed land of six acres, most of it is planted with peaches, nearly an acre is used for rice and wheat, and half an acre is used for vegetables and fruit trees. Every household in the village does the same. In the southern part of Luoyang Town, Wujin, there is an abundance of fruits and melons in the summer, including various sweet melons with juicy textures. The village has an oil press that can press vegetable oil, and a processing factory for flour. Most villagers are self-sufficient, and the area has good soil and abundant rainfall.
In May 2014
Freshly picked wild bamboo leaves after the beginning of summer are transported to the restaurant to make zongzi, creating a particularly fresh and fragrant feeling.
In October 2014
With the support of the foundation, the merchant and farmers in remote areas joined hands to establish a “family cooperative.” The basic requirements of the cooperative are that if a family has some idle land and available labor to take care of it, they can join the cooperative. The mountain village is responsible for purchasing all the vegetables grown. The experimental planting is limited to seasonal vegetables, and fruits and off-season vegetables are not within the scope of purchase. The vegetables grown in the experimental area are not allowed to use pesticides or fertilizers, growth regulators, or greenhouses. The crops must grow completely naturally.
[Family Cooperative]—In Dunhuang’s mill, according to local masters, wheat is ground into three different specifications of flour, 70, 75, and 80, based on requirements. This value indicates the coarseness of the flour, meaning that 100 kilograms of wheat is ground into 75 kilograms of flour. The higher the value, the finer the flour, but the more impurities (bran, which is not easily digestible and is mostly used to feed livestock). However, due to the pursuit of yield, most of the flour sold on the market is 95 flour, which basically grinds all the wheat into flour.
Because of the bran, the flour becomes dark in color, so large flour mills add bleaching agents to the wheat to whiten it. Additionally, due to the excessive bran content, it is difficult to knead the dough, so “dough strengtheners” are added to enhance the gluten structure. Family mills, on the other hand, do not add any additives. They typically grind the wheat to 80, with most being ground to 75 flour. This flour is the most glutenous, requires the least amount of water when kneading, and is the most nutritious.
In April 2017
The merchant collaborated with ten bamboo forest mountain houses in Moganshan, with 12 acres of mountain spring water irrigating the self-claimed land.
In April 2020
The merchant acquired a 12-acre self-claimed land that had been left idle for ten years, gifted during the pandemic. The area underwent soil overturning and soil cultivation higher than organic farmland, allowing for completely natural growth without any fertilizers.
In November 2020
Frankie just returned from the field with a bountiful harvest!
In November 2020
Mustard flowers, rapeseed flowers, colorful broccoli, and tower mustard flowers… The self-claimed farm intentionally left some vegetables to mature and flower. When delivered to the merchant, these flowering vegetables beautify the store in a unique way.
In December 2020
December 2, 2020
On Wednesday, Frankie went to work in the vegetable garden and found the flowering Chinese broccoli to be so beautiful, so he picked some.
December 4, 2020
The strawberries in the merchant’s self-claimed land have gradually started to bloom. Last week, they invited honeybees to come and pollinate the flowers, and this week they have produced honey.
The flowers and vegetables from the farm are meant to be shared, so besides being arranged in the store, they can be given to those who are destined to receive them. Come to the store over the weekend and find your lucky flower to take home.
December 8, 2020
The foundation encourages merchants to use horse manure for planting and to learn about seedling cultivation. The merchant combined resources and began experimenting with using horse manure for planting, learning about seedling cultivation for tomatoes, and engaging in manual cultivation. They also allocated land for long-term cultivation of rapeseed and Chinese broccoli for use as flowers in the store. At the same time, they are learning about the cultivation of strawberry flowers and fruits.
December 16, 2020
On Wednesday, Frankie once again toured the self-claimed land and found the strawberries starting to turn red, and personally picked some shepherd’s purse.
December 23, 2020
On Wednesday, Frankie made the routine farm tour: the lettuce, strawberries, frostbitten vegetables, radish family, and Chinese cabbage are all growing well.
In May 2021
The tomatoes grown in the merchant’s self-claimed land during the winter have now entered the harvest season. The farm manager notes that the land fertilized with horse manure is truly exceptional. The merchant’s own experience is equally important: the joy of natural farming lies in seeing small seedlings gradually grow into fruits.
In June 2021
As summer arrives, the flavors of summer in the merchant’s store come from watermelons, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and various leafy greens harvested from the organic fields.
In May 2023
After being left fallow for over three months due to the lockdown during the epidemic and subsequent heavy rain, the self-claimed land, under the merchant’s hard work and patience, has once again yielded a harvest. Immediately, tomatoes, lettuce, greens, cherry radishes, and Chinese morning glory are being produced.
