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, April 21, 2010

This Week's Food (4/23/10)

Orders are due by noon friday! This delivery cycle is normal, for monday evening. Next week's orders will be delivered by my good friend Rose, since we will be visiting with friends.

NEW! Fresh, raw, local goat and cow milk from Locust Grove Farm in Mechanicsville. Katie Byler, a sweet Amish woman, runs this goat dairy with lots of love. Her neighbor runs a cow dairy. Between the two, most of your dairy needs should be satisfied.

From Locust Grove Farm:
*fresh goat milk @ $8/gallon, $4/half gallon, and $2/quart
*goat milk cheddar cheese @ $6/lb (can request any amount)
*cow milk colby cheese @ $4/lb (can request any amount)
*goat blue cheese @ (not sure of price) (can request any amount)
*goat hot pepper and garlic cheese @ $6.75/lb (can request any amount)
*goat cream (unknown price)
*goat yogurt (unknown price)


From the Cow Dairy:
*fresh cow milk @ $4/gallon, $2/half gallon, $1/quart
*butter @ $5/lb block
*buttermilk (unknown price)
want something you don't see? Let me know and I'll ask about it.

From Good Fortune Farm:

*certified organic asparagus @ $5/lb


From Next Step Produce:
The following are all certified organic

* parsley @ $2.50/bunch
* spinach @ $3/bag
* lettuce mix @ $3/bag
* mesclun mix @ $3/bag
* arugula @ $3/bag
* stinging nettle @ $3/bag (young and tender stinging nettle, highly regarded as a superfood, especially high in iron. this plant does sting, although it loses its sting when cooked. Can easily be used to replace any green called for in a recipe - cooks down tender and smooth much like spinach.)
* 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 siberian or lacinato
* collard greens @ $3/bunch
* dandelion greens @ $3/bunch
* 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!)
* green garlic @ $3/bunch - young whole tender plant with fresh garlic flavor, use entire thing for excellent flavor
* carrots @ $3.60/lb
* sweet potatoes - large @ $2.25/lb

From It's Only Natural 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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