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, April 1, 2010

This Week's Food (4/2/10)

Orders are due by noon friday!

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

* parsley @ $2.50/bunch
* mache @ $3/bag (European winter-hardy salad green. Florettes of silky-smooth leaves harvested individually. The flavor is reminiscent of roses! Just cut florettes at base for a loose-leaf salad - excellent with creamy dressing! Truly delicious salad green!)
* cress @ $3/bag (pepper-like heat to this green, which makes a great addition to a salad)
* spinach @ $3/bag
* lettuce mix @ $3/bag
* mesclun mix @ $3/bag
* stir fry mix @ $3/bag (tender mix excellent for quick sautee, consisting of mustard and asian greens. washed and ready to go.)
* herbe stella @ $3/bag (tender salad green in the shape of a serpents tongue (long blade and forked at the tip). extremely high in vitamin C. Crispy texture.)
* swiss chard @ $3/bunch
* kale @ $3/bunch - choose from the tender red russian, standard curly, or robust lacinato variety)
* leeks @ $3.60/lb (tender from white shaft to green tips! eat it all - don't mind what recipes say - they are used to poor quality stuff. you'll find these tender and sweet and not at all tough!)
* cherry bell radish @ $2.50/bunch (asian turnip. exceptionally sweet and tender. great for raw-eating or cooked briefly.)
* carrots @ $3.60/lb
* sweet potatoes (large @ $2.25/lb or small @ $3/pt)

From It's Only Natural Farm (formerly listed as Fresh Start Farm):

* free range, organically fed medium eggs @ $2.50/dz
* if you place an order with ION Farm for meat, I can pick it up for you when it is ready. Just let them and me know!

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

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