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


Thursday, August 27, 2009

This week's Food (8/28/09)

This week orders are due by friday at noon. If you are coming to the Earth Dinner tomorrow, I am providing the watermelon and a watermelon sorbet! I am currently going with the same list as last week since I don't have an update from the farmers yet.

From Next Step Produce:

TOMATO SALE !!! : 3lbs or more @ $2.70/lb; 6lbs or more @ $2.40/lb; 25lb box @ $25/1.00/lb !!!

Now come on people! That is quite a deal. Tiss the season to make your own sauce, can it, freeze it for the winter. You can make your own ketchup or simply freeze whole blanched peeled tomatoes! Don't buy the canned stuff from who knows where!

Last week I made delish seasoned pasta sauce for year round meals and also tried my hand at homemade BBQ sauce. No one came to play with me though :-(

From Next Step Produce ...
The following are all certified organic

* Watermelon @ $1/lb - heirloom seeded red, heirloom seeded yellow, seedless red, seedless orange, seedless yellow (no watermelon will cost more than $10)
* cherry tomatoes (red or yellow) @ $3.50/pt (or $6 for 2)
* regular red tomatoes @ $3.00/lb or a 25 lb box for $25 (wow what a great price)
* heirloom pinks/purples/blacks tomatoes @ $4/lb (only $3/lb if you get 3lbs or more heirlooms)
* heirloom yellows/oranges/marbled tomatoes @ $4/lb (only $3/lb if you get 3lbs or more heirlooms)
* tomatillos @ $5/quart
* green bell peppers @ $2.50/lb
* ripe red bell peppers @ $5/lb
* italian eggplant @ $2.60/lb
* asian eggplant @ $4/lb
* zucchini (green and yellow) @ $2.50/lb
* summer squash (yellow straightneck) @ $2.50/lb
* slicing cucumbers @ $2.00/lb
* yardlong beans (green or purple) @ $3/bunch
* parsley bunch @ $2.50
* cilantro bunch @ $2.50
* dill bunch @ $2.50
* basil bunch @ $3
* sweet potato greens @ $3/bunch
* red malabar spinach @ $3/bunch
* purslane (golden) @ $3/bunch
* green cabbage @ $2.40/lb
* fennel bulb @ $1.50
* large red gold or carola potatoes @ $2/lb
* small red gold or carola potatoes @ $5/qt
* regular onions @ $3/lb
* garlic or elephant $8.50/lb (typical head is $1.75)

From Fresh Start Farm:
* free range, organically fed medium eggs @ $2.50/dz
* heritage breed chickens available now @ $2.50/lb with typical weights under 4 lbs (these types of chickens are good for roasting and have small breast compared to the cornish hens)

*** Cornish hens will be available again at the end of September, and then NOT AGAIN UNTIL SPRING. Order now!

From Me:
* kombucha starter and instructions @ $3 (ask for a taste if you've never had this fermented beverage)

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

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

This week's Food (8/21/09)

This week orders are due by friday at noon. I will be delivering the produce on sunday this week. If you want to make BBQ sauce or pasta sauce with me on sun/mon -just let me know! If you are coming to the Earth Dinner, I am providing the watermelon!

From Next Step Produce:

TOMATO SALE !!! : 3lbs or more @ $2.70/lb; 6lbs or more @ $2.40/lb; 25lb box @ $25/1.00/lb !!!

Now come on people! That is quite a deal. Tiss the season to make your own sauce, can it, freeze it for the winter. You can make your own ketchup or simply freeze whole blanched peeled tomatoes! Don't buy the canned stuff from who knows where!

From Next Step Produce ...
The following are all certified organic

* Watermelon @ $1/lb - heirloom seeded red, heirloom seeded yellow, seedless red, seedless orange, seedless yellow (no watermelon will cost more than $10)
* cherry tomatoes (red or yellow) @ $3.50/pt (or $6 for 2)
* regular red tomatoes @ $3.00/lb or a 25 lb box for $25 (wow what a great price)
* heirloom pinks/purples/blacks tomatoes @ $4/lb (only $3/lb if you get 3lbs or more heirlooms)
* heirloom yellows/oranges/marbled tomatoes @ $4/lb (only $3/lb if you get 3lbs or more heirlooms)
* tomatillos @ $5/quart
* green bell peppers @ $2.50/lb
* ripe red bell peppers @ $5/lb
* italian eggplant @ $2.60/lb
* asian eggplant @ $4/lb
* zucchini (green and yellow) @ $2.50/lb
* summer squash (yellow straightneck) @ $2.50/lb
* slicing cucumbers @ $2.00/lb
* yardlong beans (green or purple) @ $3/bunch
* parsley bunch @ $2.50
* cilantro bunch @ $2.50
* dill bunch @ $2.50
* basil bunch @ $3
* sweet potato greens @ $3/bunch
* red malabar spinach @ $3/bunch
* purslane (golden) @ $3/bunch
* green cabbage @ $2.40/lb
* fennel bulb @ $1.50
* large red gold or carola potatoes @ $2/lb
* small red gold or carola potatoes @ $5/qt
* regular onions @ $3/lb
* garlic or elephant $8.50/lb (typical head is $1.75)

From Fresh Start Farm:
* free range, organically fed medium eggs @ $2.50/dz

From Me:
* kombucha starter and instructions @ $3 (ask for a taste if you've never had this fermented beverage)

From Westmoreland Berry Farm:
conventionally grown

* gala apples @ $1.75 Per LB, $7.60 a 1/2 Peck
* peaches @ $1.75 per LB, 1/2 peck = $8.25, 1 peck $15.00
* blackberries @ $2.20 a LB
* red raspberries @ $4.20 a 1/2 pint
* nectarines @ $1.75 per LB, 1/2 peck = $8.25, 1 peck $15.00


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

Monday, August 17, 2009

Earth Dinner #1

I will be hosting a monthly potluck Earth Dinner for LAF customers and anyone else interested in local food. I am willing to host all the Earth Dinners, but others can take a turn if you like. We will gather our families, eat yummy homemade food made from as local ingredients as possible, and otherwise play and hang out. Sound fun? Keep reading.


Earth Dinner #1 will be held Friday August 28, 2009 from 6-9 pm at my house (email or call if you don't know where I live yet). Please RSVP so I can have enough (real, no paper or plastic here!) dishes for everyone. Bring with you:

  • a homemade pot luck dish made with as many local sources ingredients as possible

  • the recipe to share!

  • drinks for your family

  • a game or activity to share

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* Processed as little as possible (raw milk instead of pasteurized and homogenized)
* Nutrient-dense (enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics)
* Free of additives and preservatives
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* Not genetically modified
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