January 28, 2022

Dave Epstein has the best storm coverage

Dave Epstein is a gift to everybody who cares about weather in Boston.

If you’re tracking this (possibly historic?) storm, his podcast is what you need. You can find Weather Wisdom (killer weather reports) and Growing Wisdom (gardening weather reports!) on Spotify / any podcast platform.

In the early days when Clover was a food truck business, we lived by changes in weather.

  • Rain? Bad for sales (although we’d still see dozens of die-hard regulars waiting in line in the rain – really fills your heart).
  • Too hot? We used to close the trucks if the forecast showed temps breaking 90°F before noon, and were known to buy movie tickets for our staff to enjoy the day off out of the heat.
  • Lightning and thunder? These can pose real threats.
  • First warm days in March? Boston lights up. You can’t prepare enough food – make sure you pack extra of everything!

Winter though? Winter is more subtle and nuanced. We learned about insulated boots that were also non-skid, wearing glove liners under latex gloves, how to pre-warm cutting boards with boiling water so that the chopped veggies wouldn’t freeze to them, how to get a burner going when it’s too cold for propane, how to combat the windows frosting over, and much more.

When Clover first opened for winter service out of a food truck in January 2010, we were the very first food truck here to do so. Until that point all food trucks closed up (and many owners took a long break to travel to other countries and wait out the winter). People thought we were crazy, and looking back it really was a bit nuts. And I’m probably at fault. I grew up in New England. And I LOVE inclement weather. Of course I like a blue sky and warm breeze as much as anything. But a big storm gets me excited. And a big WINTER storm? I feel like a kid again.

I think it’s the same love I have for looking up at the sky on a clear dark night. I love feeling little. I love feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the natural world around us. And snow blowing in your face? That’s such a feeling of being alive.

All to say, running food trucks back in the early Clover days trained me to pay a lot of attention to the weather.

I discovered Dave Epstein’s work a few years ago. He did a long-running weather segment on WBUR (one of Boston’s NPR radio stations). He’s just fantastic. He loves this stuff so much, he’s so knowledgable. I grew up loving nature documentaries, David Attenborough in particular. I think Dave Epstein’s enthusiasm for weather has that same infectious feeling. It’s awesome.

So when I heard Dave announce a little over a year ago that it was his last regular appearance on WBUR, it rocked my weather world. I reached out, introduced myself, and asked if I could help. Since then Clover has been sponsoring David’s podcast. This means we write him a check each month, and he shares with his listeners what we do at Clover. I love what he does, I’m glad we can help. What’s more Clover than paying attention to how the seasons change, and spreading a love for the natural world?

If you haven’t discovered David’s work please check out the following:

Weather Wisdom

Growing Wisdom

The photo above? Blue jumping off of our roof last big snow storm. He’s looking forward to doing it again this year!

Recent Posts

December 4, 2023
These sweet potato latkes date back to early days on the Clover food truck. They’re so yummy and the sweet potatoes lend them such a fun golden color. They’re probably the most popular item in our Hanukkah Meal Box, which you can get delivered on December 7th. Inside the box you’ll find: 
November 29, 2023
I’m writing to share some news: we’ve decided to permanently close CloverROW, our outpost in the Assembly Row neighborhood of Somerville. The closure of this restaurant is part of the whole company’s focus on reaching financial sustainability and positioning us for future growth. These decisions are really hard, but they’re necessary steps for us to simplify Clover. And, happily, all the amazing staff at CloverROW, including the manager Joe, will be able to move into other Clover restaurants. The math is straightforward…
November 21, 2023
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We will be closed Thursday 11/23 at all locations. For our kitchen team, it will be a good chance to rest after prepping a ton of Brussels casseroles for our Thanksgiving Box : ) As for the days surrounding Thanksgiving, we’ll be open normal hours, except for CloverFIN (Financial District) and CloverHSC (Harvard Science Center) which will be closed tomorrow and Friday. CloverHSQ (Harvard Square) will be closing early (at 8pm) tomorrow. 
November 16, 2023
I’m not a big believer in multitasking (which, in my experience, is doing a bunch of things simultaneously and badly.) But there’s a lot going on at Clover right now, so I had to break my No Multitasking Rule on Wednesday. I asked Michele and Greg on our Finance team if they’d mind if I took myself off video during a meeting to review Accounts Payable. “I have to draw a cartoon Delicata Squash,” I explained, reasonably.
November 16, 2023
Some of you have been asking for a sides-only box – and it’s true, sides are the best part, aren’t they? We’re making a limited number of boxes with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and King Brussels’ Casserole. Each Sides Box serves 6-8 people and can be delivered to your door for 11/21 or 11/22. 
November 9, 2023
The moment you’ve waited for is here. Western Mass Brussels sprouts are back in the restaurants, which means the King himself has landed! What’s on this glorious sandwich and why is it the King of all seasonal sandwiches? A dijon-mayo spread, smoked Grafton cheddar, fried Brussels tossed with za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend), pickled red cabbage, and toasted hazelnuts.
November 6, 2023
On Friday we had a company meeting with all our leadership to talk about a decision we’ve made about the future of Clover. We are all focused on putting Clover on solid financial footing so we can continue to make the food you love for many years to come. COVID changed everything for restaurants like us. The way we eat, drink, work, and get together has shifted substantially and, while Clover has seen a steady recovery in sales…
October 29, 2023
Julia here. Today, October 29, is Clover’s birthday! 15 years of perfect pita, crispy chickpea fritters, countless sandwiches that cycle with the seasons, and of course the occasional birthday cupcake. How lucky are we? Although I’ve been working at Clover for a year and a half, this was my first week as CEO. I’m excited and honored to be stepping into this role. I’ve been a Clover enthusiast for a long time – since my first taste of a Blue Oyster Mushroom sandwich as a grad student in 2013. As COO and now as CEO…
October 26, 2023
If you stop by tomorrow (Friday 10/27) around 11am, you might be treated to a bit of Clover history in the form of a carrot cupcake with buttercream frosting. One per paying customer, while they last! And they may not last long : )
October 26, 2023
A bunch of you have been asking, and yes, we are doing a Thanksgiving Box menu again this year, with all the favorites from years past – Hubbard Squash glazed with maple-Sriracha butter, mashed potatoes, gravy, Ayr’s dad’s walnut-mushroom patè, stuffing – there’s even a limited run of Petsi pies. Free delivery to your door if you’re within 30 miles of us. Click here to reserve yours.
October 22, 2023
I’ve recently asked somebody who believes in Clover as much as I do to step into the CEO role. Julia Wrin Piper has been Clover’s COO for the past 18 months and will take over running the company day-to-day. I’ll be shifting my efforts to provide support for Julia and the team, work on growth opportunities, and pursue partnerships that will amplify Clover’s mission. I’ll remain a member of the Board of Directors and active as an advisor and mentor. Clover is facing a potent mix of opportunity and challenge right now and I know Julia is exactly the right person to lead the team through these twists and turns.
October 18, 2023
On 10/29 Clover will turn 15 years old. It’s been 15 years since we first pulled up a tiny white food truck to the MIT campus in hopes of testing a menu that could make a dent in global warming. Since then we’ve supported so many local farmers; had tons of adventures on board trucks and restaurants; and met tons of wonderful customers. And most of all we’ve made food. Lots and lots of food. In honor of our 15th birthday, we sent out a survey asking you about your favorite LONG-LOST MENU ITEMS. We’ve picked the top results and we’re going to bring them back for one day only – in the form of a Birthday Meal Box!