How Does This Work?

Every week, we visit local farms, talk with the farmers, and purchase the freshest, yummiest food. We support farmers who nurture their soil, strive for sustainable farming practices, and don't use harmful or questionable products. Each week, you choose a la carte from the list of available food and pay for what you choose. We pack your share into reusable containers and you get your food. You, in turn, leave us the empty containers from last week's order and arrange payment. It's that simple!

To assist in your enjoyment of local produce, we will share storage information, preparation tips, recipes and ways to use new foods via this blog.

Sometimes, customers will have the option of adding eggs, honey, meat, cheese, mushrooms, bulk fruits, and other foods to their orders. Monthly, we order dry goods and food staples from Neshaminy Valley Natural Foods (based in Philidelphia, PA). These additional options are called Special Orders.

Is the food organic? Organic is such a key word these days. We go for local first, choosing farms that are as close as possible to the LaPlata area. Whenever there is an organic option, we will go with that. After that, we look for farmers who use IPM (integrated pest management), composting, and other sustainable practices. If you would like your food to be strictly organic, just let us know when you become a customer!

There are three membership options:
I) Weekly delivery to your home - cost $12/month + mileage charges
II) Weekly pickup at my home - cost $12/month
III) Special Orders Only - cost $5/order


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

This Weeks' Food (12/12/08)

This week orders need to get to me by noon friday. I will be picking up eggs from Fresh Start Farm tomorrow (thursday) so if you want eggs, let me know by phone as early as you can tomorrow or email tonight. Farmers do need time to know what to harvest and separate out for us before going to market. Here's this week's food options:

From Next Step Produce ...
The following are all certified organic
* persimmons, asian @ $4/lb
* butternut squash @ $2.50/lb
* salad mix bag @ $3
* mesclun mix (baby lettuce & baby greens + baby arugula) bag @ $3
* spinach bag @ $3
* baby arugula bag @ $3
* cress bag @ $3
* mache bunch @ $3
* kale bunch (red russian, red bor & curly mix, siberian, or lacinato) @ $3
* collard greens bunch @ $3
* green cabbage @ $2/lb
* fennel @ $4/lb
* leeks @ $3.60/lb
* beets (small with lots of greens) bunch @ $3
* radish bunch (rosy, green meat, daikon) @ $3
* celery root @ $4.50/lb
* sunchokes @ $4.50/lb
* pint of garnet sweet potatoes - small @ $3
* garnet sweet potatoes - large @ $2.20/lb
* adirondack red potatoes (large @ $2.50/lb)
* garlic (regular or elephant) @ $8.50/lb (approx $2/bulb)

From Good Fortune Farm:
* pastured, free range, organically fed turkeys $3/lb for a 1/2 turkey of about 16 lbs

From a farm in St. Mary's County:
* homemade scrapple @ $2.50/lb in 1 lb paper wrapped packages

From Estevez Family Farm:
* humanely raised and chemical free pork chops @ $3/lb

From Fresh Start Farm:
* free range, organically fed medium eggs @ $2/dz

Please remember that between nature and labor, sometimes not everything on the list is actually harvested according to plan.

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