The Weekly Design Dispatch: Victory Gardens, Botanical Prints and Celebrating Easter at Home — Blog

Welcome to the weekly Design Dispatch. This week we're talking sourcing seeds for your victory garden, how to put together a last-minute Easter basket without setting foot inside a store and the podcast that's helping us figure out what, exactly, to do with all those dried beans we now have in the pantry.

DESIGN NEWS:

As predicted, food supply chains are hitting some snags. One major reason for this is that food normally destined for the foodservice industry is going to waste while grocery store shelves are running low on stock.

In response to this issue, the wholesale-only store Restaurant Depot has decided to temporarily open to the public. The chain has three locations in the Bay Area and sells food alongside cleaning supplies and paper products.

Another way to find suppliers that usually work with the industry but are now going direct is to check out this list by Wholesail (Bay Area). From produce to meat and seafood to bread, they have resources for stocking your fridge with locally produced foods that might otherwise go to waste.

Another way people are preparing is the sudden surge in home gardening. Covid era "victory gardens" are becoming a thing, but many of the usual seed suppliers are out of stock or temporarily suspending orders while they play catchup. Don't worry about getting those seedlings in on schedule though, we've done the legwork and found a handful of small suppliers that are still shipping seeds.

Oakland based Kitazawa Seed Co. specializes in Asian vegetable seeds and currently has a range of options in stock from staples like Radishes and Carrots to Pak Choy.

Another local option is The Living Seed Company, out of Point Reyes. They're expecting delays of 5-7 days but still currently accepting orders.

San Diego Seed Company focuses on organic seeds and sustainable gardening, they recently restocked a lot of items, and you can order their seeds online.

On a related note, live in the Bay and are unsure of what to plant, when? Check out Golden Gate Gardening. The book is an essential manual for gardening in our complex microclimates.

Finally, with all the time we're all spending at home, you might be itching to give your place a refresh. We love these beautiful botanical rugs stationery purveyor Rifle Paper Co. just released to bring a bit of the outdoors in.

LOCAL INTEREST:

If you want to put together a last-minute Easter Basket for your kids but don't know where to start, there are a few local businesses ready to help. Mapamundi Kids can help you custom curate a basket and arrange curbside pickup just email them. You can check out the shop's selection here.

Natural Resources also has Easter basket stuffers you can still shop. You can schedule 15-minute time slots online to shop virtually with a team member over Facetime, then do a contactless pickup or have it delivered.

Children's gift shop Tantrum is "busking for Tantrum" on Instagram, and it's one of the best things we've come across this week. Purchase a $50 gift certificate, and they'll play a song just for you. Go check them out right now. Seriously, we'll be here when you get back.

LISTEN:

Samin Nosrat of Salt Fat Acid Heat fame has teamed up with Hrishikesh Hirway to bring you Home Cooking, a podcast designed specifically to teach you how to cook in quarantine. From whether or not to soak beans before cooking to the best frozen-veggies to stock up on, it's a timely, entertaining, and informative listen. In short, it's a gift, as everything Samin touches is (fight me).

That concludes our weekly Design Dispatch. If there is anything you would like to add to the list, feel free to leave a comment below, and if you have a tip for a future column, feel free to drop us a line.

For up to date information and recommendations on Covid-19, please visit the CDC website.

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