Ally & Casey W., owners of Canyon Coffee, enrich their family life with Lettuce Grow Farmstands and Gardena’s VeggieCut shears. They find joy in growing fresh ingredients, incorporating them into their meals, and inspiring others to embrace quality, sustainability, and the joy of homegrown food. With Ally & Casey as your guides, you’ll craft memorable dishes like Veggie Rice with Mushrooms & Herbs and Grilled Salmon & Broccoli with Lemon-Herb Butter.

My grandpa has always grown his own tomatoes and herbs, and I remember picking them with him. That connection to gardening stayed with me, even though I never learned how to grow on my own until now.

My grandpa Floyd loved planting, and I grew up on a small farm. The biggest takeaway from that experience was the importance of being hands-on with your food. Gardening wasn’t always fun, especially the weeding, but it taught me a lot about patience and hard work.

For us, weekends are about slowing down—going to farmers' markets, spending time outdoors, and just being together. Growing food at home is a big part of that. It’s not just about having fresh produce; it’s about creating memories with our son, Sonny, like the ones I have with my grandpa.

I want Sonny to understand the value of growing and eating organic food. It’s about more than just food; it’s about developing a routine, learning responsibility, and connecting with nature. If I’m going to teach him, I need to learn, too!

We’ve always been mindful of what we consume, both in our bodies and in our business. Growing up in rural America, I saw the damage that conventional farming can do. Supporting organic, regenerative farmers is crucial to us, both personally and professionally. The Farmstand aligns with that ethos by allowing us to grow our food sustainably. It’s like our journey with coffee—once you taste high-quality, fresh produce, there’s no going back.

We initially set up raised garden beds as part of a bigger backyard project. But maintaining them was a challenge—dealing with pests, time commitment, and the cost of seeds and soil. When we discovered the Farmstand, it felt like a fresh start. It’s incredibly efficient and has made it easier for us to grow a larger portion of our produce.

Meal planning is essential for us, and the Farmstand makes it easier. It only requires about 15 minutes a week, which is perfect for our schedule. We love knowing what we’re going to cook each night with Sonny. It helps us stay organized and ensures we’re always using fresh, homegrown ingredients.

At first, we were a bit intimidated, especially since we already had a big backyard. But once we started with the small Farmstand, we were amazed at how quickly everything grew. We added more levels almost immediately and now have a large 36-plant Farmstand.

The seedlings grow so fast and with minimal effort. It’s a night-and-day difference compared to starting from seeds in our raised beds. We’ve been able to harvest in just a few weeks, which has been a game-changer.

I’m most excited about growing broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini, kale, swiss chard, baby lettuce mix, arugula, and all the herbs.

They’re like the missing tools we didn’t know we needed. They make harvesting easy, even with tougher veggies like cauliflower or cabbage. It’s surprising how much they elevate the gardening process.

Growing our own food has added depth to our daily lives. It’s more than just having fresh produce—it’s about cherishing the moments we spend together as a family, whether we’re harvesting dinner or sitting around the table. It’s something that truly enriches our life together.

Harvesting fresh produce with Sonny has become more than just gardening; it’s about slowing down, appreciating life’s simple pleasures, and nurturing our family bond. It’s allowed us to press pause and create meaningful family moments—just like my memories of picking tomatoes with my grandpa.