B L O G
The History of Garden Valley
There’s always a story to every place, to every business that’s been built, and learning that journey is what reveals the heart and soul behind it. What started out as a small, quaint produce stand, has now turned into a beautiful and thriving farmers market that serves a good part of both Alamance and Guilford Counties of North Carolina. That business… is Garden Valley Farmers Market, and this is their story:
Nestled in the heart of Alamance County, there was a small produce stand that was owned and operated by Josh Readling (along his beautiful brown lab, Shelby). His desire was to provide fresh and local produce to a community that was in lack of healthier food options. Josh grew up in Alamance County, and his knack for business and desire to bless people was at the heart of starting Garden Valley, and has such, remained the core desire. To plant better, eat better, and live better.
Fast forward a few years, and along came two brothers who not only lived together, but decided it was a good idea to work together too (read that last line as sarcasm). Those brothers are Paul and Luke Laparra. Long story short, they went to church with Josh, had conversations, and wanted to expand Garden Valley to reach more people. Little did they know that this partnership would turn into a bond that would not only bless the outside community, but also provide a friendship filled with trust and understanding, something that not many businesses are blessed to have.
Paul is a craftsman by heart. He loves working with his hands, is a former electrician, and loves carpentry work. But even with all of the time consuming work that he continues to do with Garden Valley, his main passion in life is his love for the Lord, and raising his beautiful family.
Luke was already working for Garden Valley as an employee at the time, and wanted to continue to grow in the company. It was in this journey that he learned his passion for business, finances, and streamlining processes. But even with this new discovery, he still remains passionate about loving his family, and helping others simplify the stresses that can often come with finances.
While this partnership was being developed, Garden Valley was slowly growing from one location, at Chapel Hill Road, to FIVE locations in a span of ten years. What once was a modest produce stand, is now a farmers market that sells pottery, flowers, trees, shrubs, and so much more! And even though they have grown into a bigger company, the promise to provide quality product to the community is still one of their main goals.
The biggest season of growth for Garden Valley came during a very unexpected time… 2020. It was in the thick of this pandemic that Garden Valley was blessed with the most amazing outpour of support from their community. It was filled with hope, strength, and solace in a time that was focused on fear, hurt, and anxiety. The love shown by the community of Alamance/Guilford County brought a refreshed determination to Luke and Paul… this was the right direction for the company. This business was supposed to be here. Garden Valley was home for its community.
Through the good years, and not so good years, Garden Valley has always remained true to their identity: plant better, eat better, live better. They have continued to provide access to healthy vegetation so that the community can plant better. They always strive to provide quality produce so that the community can eat better. And they are a place where anyone can come, and be inspired to live better. This motto of theirs rings true, and it’s Garden Valley’s hope to continue to do so for many years to come.
The Best Guacamole You've Ever Tasted
Grab a bag of salty tortilla chips, and let’s get to making The Best Guacamole You’ve Ever Tasted…
If you’ve ever tried Guacamole from the store or restaurant, and didn’t like it… you might need a “do-over”. Not only can Guacamole be so flavorful, but it’s also a very easy dip to make for any party, taco night, or just a good old fashioned self care night in. Grab a bag of salty tortilla chips, and let’s get to making The Best Guacamole You’ve Ever Tasted…
First, start by heading over to Garden Valley and picking out your ripe avocados, juicy tomatoes, tangy limes, and flavorful red onions. We chose the better boy tomato, but you can easily substitute that for another tomato that you would prefer. If you ever need help in knowing if your avocado is ripe, any of our knowledgeable employees would be glad to assist you.
Also, did you know that avocados are REALLY good for you? Here’s some of the health benefits:
+ High in monounsaturated fats, which help prevent heart disease AND lower blood pressure
+ Great source of fiber, which is wonderful for gut health
+ High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
+ Packed with nutrients that support satiety in diet, helping support a healthy weight/diet
+ Great source of folate, a very important vitamin needed in fetal development
Okay now that you’re home, let’s get to the good stuff…
Start by slicing your avocados and dumping them into the bowl. Add in your freshly squeezed lime juice, garlic, salt, red onions, and tomatoes. Now mash, chop, and stir ingredients until blended to the texture you desire. Some people like no lumps, while others like a little bit of texture when dipping their chip. It’s all in the preference you choose.
There’s no science to this recipe, which is what makes it sooo easy. Just dump, smash, stir, and dip. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how fresh and amazing this guacamole tastes. We also think you’ll be making this for every party from here on out. Trust us, it’s always the first thing to go at the appetizer table, and your friends and family will be raving about this recipe for a long time. Don’t worry though… it will be our little secret.
The Best Guacamole you’ve ever tasted
SERVINGS: 4 PEOPLE
INGREDIENTS
3 Avacodos
2 Freshly Squeezed Limes
1/4 C Finely Diced Red Onion
1/3 C Finely Diced Tomato
1 1/2 t Garlic Powder
Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Slice avocados and scoop the meat of them into mixing bowl.
2. Squeeze the juice of your two limes into bowl with your avocados.
3. Finely chop 1/4 C tomato and 1/3 C red onion while the avocado is absorbing the lime juices.
4. Dump onion, tomato, salt, and garlic powder into the bowl.
5. Smash your avocados and stir until your have reached desired texture and consistency in your guacamole.
6. Grab a chip (or two) and taste test.
S I D E N O T E
We have found that letting the avocado absorb the lime juice prior to smashing it does help to soften it. This helps if your avocado was not quite ripe enough.
The Easiest Butternut Squash Soup Ever
If you’re wanting a delicious soup recipe that screams the word “Fall”, then this delicious, mouth-watering soup recipe is for you! It’s super easy with minimal ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard. And it will FOR SURE leave your kitchen smelling like your grandma’s house during a thanksgiving dinner.
If you’re wanting a delicious soup recipe that screams the word “Fall”, then this delicious, mouth-watering soup recipe is for you! It’s super easy with minimal ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard. And it will FOR SURE leave your kitchen smelling like your grandma’s house during a thanksgiving dinner.
Butternut Squash Soup
First, we recommend gathering all of your ingredients to make the cooking process easier and faster for you. What you’ll need: butternut squash, salt, pepper, chicken stock, fresh rosemary, honey, cayenne pepper, white onion, and olive oil. Also, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Next, combine your Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Pepper, Rosemary, Honey, and Olive Oil into a bowl to form a homemade glaze that’s so gooey and smooth.
Once you’ve made your glaze, set it aside and get to work on slicing your Butternut Squash in half. Gut out the seeds of the core of the squash, and then slice cubes into the meat of the squash, being careful to not slice through the skin. Slicing the cubes allows for an even absorption of the glaze into the “meat” of the squash.
Place your squash on a baking sheet and brush with your delicious homemade glaze. Go ahead and pop them in the oven for about 45-60 minutes. You could cook them faster, but let’s be honest… when it comes to cooking, slower is always much better! While they’re in the oven, baste them in their own juices a few times.
While waiting for your squash to cook, cut your onion and begin caramelizing it in a large pot with your butter. This should be done over a low/medium heat. Again, slow and steady.
Once your squash is finished cooking, scoop into the large pot that your onion is cooking in. Add your chicken stock and blend with a hand blender. (You could also add those ingredients to a regular blender if you don’t have access to a hand blender.)
When you’ve finished blending, season with salt and pepper to taste, and you’re done! See… that wasn’t so bad was it? Basically you just have to cut up a squash, add a glaze, cook in the oven, and puree once done. Super easy, quick, and FULL of FLAVOR that will leave us feeling so cozy and embracing the warmth that this Fall season brings to our lives.
Butternut Squash Soup RECIPE
SERVINGS: 2-3 PEOPLE
INGREDIENTS
1 Butternut Squash
1 3/4 C Chicken Stock
1 T Rosemary
1 T Honey
1/4 t Cayenne Pepper
1/2 White Onion
1 T Olive Oil
1/4 t Salt (also to taste)
Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine salt, pepper, rosemary, honey, and olive oil into bowl.
3. Slice squash in half. Gut seeds out of core. Slice cubes into the meat of squash.
4. Place on baking sheet and brush with glaze. Pop in oven for 45-60 minutes. (Baste in juices occasionally throughout cooking.)
5. Cut onion and begin caramelizing in a large pot with butter over medium/low heat.
6. Take cooked squash out of oven and scoop into pot that onion is cooking in. Blend with hand blender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
S I D E N O T E
If you do not have access to a hand blender, you can mix/puree ingredients by using a
regular blender instead.
5 Reasons to Support Local
Whether you're wanting to add some color to the pots on your front porch steps, or wanting to plant those juicy tomatoes in your garden, there are many places you could buy these plants. But where is the best place to go? Sure, you could turn to your mass merchant store, but maybe this time, think more locally. If you have a local garden center, like Garden Valley Market, often times they offer a very wide variety of amazing plants/produce.
So, without further ado, here are five reasons why we think you should support your local garden center:
Whether you're wanting to add some color to the pots on your front porch steps, or wanting to plant those juicy tomatoes in your garden, there are many places you could buy these plants. But where is the best place to go? Sure, you could turn to your mass merchant store, but maybe this time, think more locally. If you have a local garden center, like Garden Valley Farmers Market, often times they offer a very wide variety of amazing plants/produce. So, without further ado, here are five reasons why we think you should support your local garden center:
1. Knowledge
Local garden centers, like Garden Valley Farmers Market, have a passion for all things gardening. Whether that's with the choices/varieties of colorful petunias that are hand picked by our owners, the fresh zucchini we just got in stock from our local farmers, or the tropical Hibiscus that's just perfect for North Carolina summer heat, knowing and learning what each plant’s needs are is very important to places like ours. Local garden centers tend to stay up to date on local weather and the specific climate zone they are located, which helps give you the accurate information that sets you up for a successful year. We can help you in deciding which flowers, shrubs, and vegetables to plant that will not only bloom, but thrive here in central North Carolina.
2. Quality
Quality is most important to us, and here’s why:
You get what you pay for. Local garden centers like Garden Valley invest in quality products, materials and supplies, which can sometimes be a bit more expensive for you, the consumer. But the phrase, "you get what you pay for", could not hold truer for us. There is much time and investment given to the plants and produce, including regular fertilizing of the plants and a constant pruning/dead-heading of the flowers in order to keep the plants healthy and at their prime.
Unique Selection. Local garden centers can also provide unique materials that would not normally be found at a mass merchant store. These items are hand picked by our owners in hopes that you will enjoy them just as much as they do.
Hint: It’s Not Consignment. Did you know that most local garden centers actually own the materials on the lot. It's bought and paid for, not purchased on consignment where it can be sent back if it doesn’t sell like in a lot of other bigger retail companies.
We want you, our neighbors, to succeed. Remembering that your success equals our success, is what makes the quality of the plants much higher at a local garden center. And it’s what makes our relationship with our community that much more important.
3. Customer Service
Shopping at local garden centers, like Garden Valley Market, can also mean that more personal attention is paid to the customer. Personal relationships are made and "regulars" become part of our gardening family. Locals can often provide the best tips and tricks as well, allowing us to learn more and share with our local customers. And we, at Garden Valley, LOVE the relationship and trust that is built between you and us.
4. Local Economy
Supporting local also means supporting your local economy. It's choosing to allow your funds to stay in your local community. And when you're purchasing your plants and produce from your local farmers market, you're purchasing and supporting your local farmers and growers in North Carolina too. We can't think of a better way to support your neighbors, friends and family.
5. Unique Community
One of the best parts of supporting local is something that you, the customer and consumer, can really enjoy. You get to keep a one-of-a-kind business, well, in business. And in return, you can experience the unique character that it brings to your local community. This can also increase your community’s tourist attraction, which means more money for your local economy. And, it's just plain FUN to go and get lost in the plants, get to know your gardeners, and enjoy the unique community that it brings to your life, and those around you.
Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. We also offer free online produce ordering and pickup for NC locals! If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest.
We’d love to have you join us in our journey of
planting better,
eating better, and
living better.
Love, Garden Valley Farmers Market
Welcome to
Garden Valley Farmers Market where we strive to
Plant Better.
Eat Better.
Live Better.
To read more about what our company is about, click the photo below. We’re glad you’re here.
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