Summer CSA Newsletter

Please note: Both CSA pick-up and the Farm Stand will be OPEN on July 4th with regular hours. 

A Note from CSA Admin Megan

Hi wonderful CSA folks! 

 

I hope you have been enjoying your CSA experience thus far. I want to thank the individuals who pointed out the error on the Summer CSA schedule I sent out with confirmation emails two weeks ago. You can now download the updated schedule at the button below. 

 

Additionally, I have a special bonus for our CSA members! We have put together a comprehensive CSA Tips & Tricks document to help you manage your CSA veggies. There is always a lot to consider for how to take care of certain vegetables you take home, how to make the most of your CSA, and what to do with all the abundance! This guide will help you find the best way to think through your CSA share and make the most of it. I hope you enjoy! 

Fruit Share

1 Pint Sweet Cherries (NH)

2 lbs Peaches (SC)

Harvest List

Zucchini

Cucumber

Cabbage

Kale

Chard

Broccoli

Fava beans

Parsley

Lettuce

Scallion

Hakurei turnip

Basil

Popcorn

Radish

Cilantro

+ Bonus PYO herbs and peas!

Field Notes from Farm Manager Hannah

Greetings members,

 

Happy July! The hot weather from the past couple weeks has ushered in a new era on the farm (big summer vibes!) and this means the peas are unfortunately on their way out, since the plants do not tolerate heat well. We will keep PYO peas open till we run out, but I do not expect much more than a week or so. On the bright side, the cherry tomato and bean plants are taking off and PYO cherry tomatoes are around the corner!

 

This past week staff enjoyed visiting the Baskin Robbins Headquarters located just a few minutes from the farm and sampling different flavors while talking to their staff about product development and partnership agreements. The Baskin Robbins corporate team has visited the farm for a work day the past two springs and they generously invited us over this year as well. Yum!

 

We believe there is a coyote den near the farm this season and staff have been hearing the pups howl throughout the days and seen paw print tracks throughout the fields as well as some other activities. We are happy to have them nearby to help keep the rodent population down. Keep this in mind if you bring your dog to the property, but we have not seen them in broad daylight around the farm.

 

This week marks the first week of the PYO Flower CSA! The first few weeks will have lots of calendula, snapdragons, zinnia, and celosia available while later in the season different flowers will begin to open up. All our CSA shares will be operating regular hours this week. Thanks for your support!

 

Best,

Hannah

Recipe of the week:

Fattoush

 

 

 

Fresh herbs are delicate and often seem to wilt before you can use them. Tender herbs such as mint, basil, oregano and cilantro can be stored on the counter in a glass with a little water at the bottom.  Cut a little from the bottom of the stems as you would with fresh flowers.  If they start to wilt, cut a little more off. Make sure there is always water on the bottom.  (This also works with fennel fronds, by the way.)  They should last about a week--or even more.  If your herbs are really sad, let them sit in some ice water for a few minutes; they should perk up a bit.

 

Sage and thyme freeze beautifully.  Just put sage leaves into a small plastic bag and store in the freezer; they will discolor somewhat but the flavor and texture should be fine.  You can put thyme in the freezer, stems and all.

 

Chives and dill seem to do best wrapped in a paper towel in the refrigerator.

 

Now what to do with your beautiful herbs?  Herbs can be added to salads; they can be used in all sorts of combinations to make salad dressing.  Although basil pesto is classic, you can make pesto out of any of them.  You can use herbs to make simple syrups and herb flavored oils.  They can be put in soups and stews. Truthfully, just toss fresh herbs on anything you make; chefs do it, so why shouldn't you?

Pick-up policy reminder:

Veggies: We can accomodate three day switch requests for the whole season this year. That means that you can change your pick-up day in the same week you signed up for. For instance: You are an odd week Saturday pick up but will be away for your typical day. You may request to change your Saturday odd week pick up to a Tuesday or Thursday odd week pick up for one particular week (up to three times). You may only switch days of your pick-up week, you may not switch pick-up weeks (odd/even). You’ll need to request this change the week before you want to use it. To make a day switch request: Up to the week before you want to switch pick-up days by 5 PM on Friday the week before the pickup you would like to change. Email csa@brookwoodcommunityfarm.org and include your name, your usual pick-up day, and your requested pick-up day. For example, Jane Smith, Tuesday, July 2nd is my pick-up day, and I would like to pick up on Saturday, July 6th instead.

 

Eggs: You may pick up your egg share up to three weeks after your missed pick-up day without notice. This means you may double up on previously missed pick-ups of up to three weeks.

 

Fruit: You may pick up your fruit share up to 7 days after your missed pick-up day without notice. This means you may double up on previously missed pick-ups of up to one week.

 

Mushrooms: You may pick up your mushroom share up to 7 days after your missed pick-up day without notice. This means you may double up on previously missed pick-ups of up to one week.

 

Flowers: Once the flower share starts you may pick your flowers in any increment you would like. But please keep an eye on the weekly newsletter as that will have advice on the abundance of blooms and other good information! You can pick one bouquet per visit or multiples of your share amount per visit.