Due to hot weather and unusual rain in July and August, the farmers could not grow some of the vegetables commonly used in the household kitchen such as tomatoes, potatoes, herbs and salad plants. They planted some of these vegetables which eventually died due to unusual weather conditions. The farmers had to alter their cultivation plan and will re-grow these vegetables during the winter season.

There was also a minimal decrease on the number of customers. Most of the expat customers went back to their respective countries or have gone on a long holiday for the summer which decreased the number of customers from 200 to 150. This, in turn, also decreased the number of pick-up points from 20 to 15.

To turn things around for the better this autumn, the farmers are reaching out to their customers and bridging the communication gap between them through a newsletter and educational tour. The first ever monthly newsletter of Thanh Xuan Organic Vegetables was sent out to the customers via email in October to keep them informed on the news and updates on what is happening at the organic farming community. An eco-tour for customers is currently in the works for the month of November to further raise the customers awareness of Thanh Xuan Organic Vegetables as well as to make them feel part of it by meeting the organic farming community and finding out how the organic produce are grown in the fields. New vegetable crops are also expected for this month. Details on website: www.rauthanhxuan.com

From November 2009, two organic farming groups in Thanh Xuan Commune that recently joined us and whom we have been supporting since April 2009, will be linked to a middleman who will work with them in marketing their own production areas. They chose to go for this arrangement and we will make sure that the farmers are able to secure a fair share for their work.

Finally, the supporting team greets Ms Tamara Baillie, a VIDA volunteer who will be working with us for the next 8 months from late October 2009, to bring up new development ideas for Thanh Xuan Organic Vegetables. Welcome  onboard!