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.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

This Week's Food (4/16/10)

Orders are due by noon friday!

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
* 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!)
* 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.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

This Week's Food (4/9/10)

Orders are due by noon friday!

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
* 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 bagged mix or bunched lacinato
* 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

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.

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.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

This Week's Food (3/19/10)

Orders are due by noon friday! Deliveries/pickups will be on sunday this week. Please plan accordingly!

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

* cilantro @ $2.50/bunch
* spinach @ $3/bag
* arugula @ $3/bag
* lettuce mix @ $3/bag
* mesclun mix @ $3/bag
* herbe stella @ $3/bag
* swiss chard @ $3/bunch
* mizuna @ $3/bunch (mild mustard green)
* vitamin green @ $3/bunch (tender green rich in vitamins with thick stalks similar to chard)
* kale @ $3/bunch - choose from the tender red russian, standard curly, or robust lacinato variety)
* 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
* hot italian and sweet italian sausage links @ $3.49/lb
* Preorder your meat for the year by visiting ION Farm's Online Store

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

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Local, Free Range Poultry

Do you want to buy local, free range, chemical and hormone free chicken, turkey, or duck to eat? Do you scramble at the last minute to find a yummy, natural turkey for your end of year Holidays? Look no more. Two local farms that I frequent can meet your needs. Remember that there are links to the farm web sites down the left side of the blog under "Farms We Support".

It's Only Natural Farm in Nanjemoy is currently taking orders for holiday turkeys, the first of two batches of chickens, and muscovy ducks. They do more than poultry though. They raise goats, hogs, and cattle for meat (sorry but the cattle is sold out for 2010 already). This year, all animals or sides/quarters of animals are SOLD BY PRE-ORDER ONLY. Now is the time to get those pre-orders in. Just visit ION's online store. Be sure to put my name in the "referral code" area when you register. Payment is not done online right now - only ordering (then you send a check in).

Can't wait months to get some fabulous chicken? Good Fortune Farm in Brandywine has whole fresh chickens available right now. They are $3/lb and typically weight 6-7 lbs. They will need picked up within days after butcher since the farmer has no freezer space to store them for you. Let me know how many you want and I can get them or you can contact the farmer yourself (please tell him I gave you the info).

Want to taste some of this local food? Come to our Vernal Equinox Party.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

This Week's Food (3/5/10)

Orders are due by noon friday!

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

* spinach @ $3/bag
* herbe stella @ $3/bag
* mache @ $3/bag (hardy european salad green. rosettes of smooth textured, flowery flavored tiny leaves. Makes a great salad with a creamy dressing - truly unique flavor for an unforgettable salad.)
* lettuce mix @ $3/bag
* mesclun mix @ $3/bag
* mustard/asian green "stir-fry" mix @ $3/bag (tender mix of mizuna, tatsoi and other greens for quick sautee or soup or raw.)
* swiss chard @ $3/bunch
* mizuna @ $3/bunch (mild mustard green)
* vitamin green @ $3/bunch (tender green rich in vitamins with thick stalks similar to chard)
* kale @ $3/bunch - choose from the tender red russian, standard curly, or robust lacinato variety)
* 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
* Preorder your meat for the year by visiting ION Farm's Online Store

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