Hello CSA Members,
We hope this email finds you well. July is here and it sure feels like it. July is crazy for farmers. The weeds grow several inches
overnight! The tomatoes are just
on the edge of turning. Quite a
few of the crops are maturing at overwhelming rates. We are about to enter into
a tough period when the crops are stunted by the heat and insects, but for now
we have an abundance of several items. How do we pass all this along to our
members efficiently?
Which brings me to the topic of “Extras.”
Most CSA’s will fill boxes with an abundance of produce or
set out a box filled with extra produce.
We tried the method of sitting the box out. It was almost always full at the end of the CSA pick and
then composted. It seemed like
such a waste. Most of our
customers are small families whom don’t want to be overwhelmed by produce. But what do we do when we have too much
of something? We can sell
wholesale but would prefer to give you the first opportunity to the produce
because you paid in advance.
So we created the “Extras” list. This is where we allow you to order extras of an item at no
extra cost. Yes, that means they
are free or at least already figured into your original payment. If something is in the “Extras” list we
want you to take advantage of these items and take them off our hands.
Why then do we require you to order them in the original
order? Because we want you to take
more of the item we have an abundance of instead of taking that item and more
of other items we do not have an abundance of. Wow, this sounds more complicated than it needs to be. In the end I want to say – “Please order more Chard, Kale, Lettuce and
Parsley this week. They won’t be
this beautiful for long.”
And if you have read this email this far we would like to
hear some feedback on how we offer herbs.
We have had a great season for herbs so far. We tried the mix bunches in order to give you more value for
your item. We know you may not
like the mix. It would be too
confusing to let you all mix your own.
So this week we tried offering them individually. We
would love feedback as to whether you prefer mixed bunches or individual
bunches.
Are you sad to see no baby greens this week? We had a problem with the heavy rain
last week that destroyed 2 plantings.
We have to let them re-grow this week and also the heat is stunting
them. We have lots of awesome head
lettuce!
We will post the weekly email on our blog: http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/
Don’t forget to pick up your box. It may help to set an alarm on your phone. At the West Reading site we have a
family that comes at 9 pm to clean up the porch. I had to do this so that I can get some sleep. I am crazy and I would worry about
those boxes all night. Sorry.
Help:
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at bhorganicscsa@gmail.com or call
484-955-1098. I also am available
to receive text messages at this phone number.
When:
You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com. The orders must be in by Tuesday at 12 am. Processing the orders takes some time
so I would appreciate no late orders.
This is a new time this year in order to have our pack house run a bit
smoother.
Notes about ordering:
·
We cannot guarantee orders. We will definitely do our best.
·
You may order from the list below. If you do not choose to order we will
select a well-rounded box for you.
·
If it states behind the item that you may order
2 (or 3) than this counts as 2 (or 3) of your items. If it does not state “You may order 2” behind the item than
you can only order 1 of this item.
·
We do not split items of make smaller
bunches. All sizes of the items
are stated below.
·
If you see “OR”
in an item list you can order one or the other from this list.
·
Yes, we definitely make mistakes. So please let us know so we don’t make
them again. We are striving to
provide great customer service.
This week’s Harvest:
Choose 8 items from this list for full
shares or 5 items for half shares.
·
Kale –3/4 lb - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly. You may order 3.
·
Red leaf or Butter head Lettuce or Romaine– 2
heads. You may order 3.
·
Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You may order 3.
·
Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 3.
·
Beets – Red, Golden or Chioggia – 1.5 lb. You may order 2.
·
Fennel – 1 bulb
·
Dandelion – 8 oz
·
Summer Squash – 1 lb (This could be green or
yellow zucchini, patty pan squash or yellow crookneck squash.) OR Cucumbers (Standard or Lemon or Asian
Long) – 1 lb
·
Carrots, Orange or Mixed Colors– 1 lb. You may order 2.
·
Green Beans,
OR Dragon (A yellow Italian type bean.) ¾ lb – OR French Beans ½ lb
·
Cabbage, Green – 1 head
·
Basil, Italian – 4 oz
·
Basil, Thai – 2 oz
·
Fresh Cut Flowers
·
Chives – 2 oz
·
Oregano – 2 oz
·
Marjoram – 2 oz
·
Mint – 2 oz
·
Garlic chive – 2 oz
Extras: You must order
“Extras.”
·
Kale –3/4 lb - Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly. You must order kale in
your regular order and this will be an additional kale.
·
Swiss Chard –3/4 lb. You must order chard in your regular order and this will be an
additional chard.
·
Marjoram – 2 oz.
·
Parsley, Flat Leaf – 2 oz. You may order 2.
·
Red leaf or Butter head Lettuce or Romaine– 2
heads. You must order Lettuce in your
regular order and this will be an additional Lettuce.
·
High Energy:
As a farmer, foodie and vegetable lover I am always
interested in the “energetics” of food.
Essentially this means when a vegetable is at its “peak.” If you are stuck in your ways but want
to try something new I highly recommend choosing something new from this
list. Here are the foods at their
highest energy level this week:
·
Basil
·
Kale
·
Chard
·
Lettuce
·
Fennel
·
Cucumber
·
Summer Squash
·
Beans
·
Parsley
·
Beets
·
Cabbage
Recipes:
Fennel
The other day I was walking down from the upper field and I
saw this white thing glowing from the lower field. It was brilliant among all the green kale. I was fixated. It was a fennel bulb perfectly
illuminated by the sun! Fennel
makes me so happy to grow. It is
fun to watch grow and so fun to pick.
This will probably be our last week of fennel till the fall. Here are some fun recipes to try:
·
This is best way to fall in love with Fennel:
Roasted Fennel with Parmesan: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roasted-fennel-with-parmesan-recipe.html
·
Best Fennel you will ever eat: http://putneyfarm.com/2012/04/05/caramelized-fennel-the-best-fennel-youll-ever-eat/
·
Classic Fennel – Orange Salad: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/orange-and-fennel-salad-recipe.html
·
Raw Grapefruit, Avocado and Fennel Salad: http://vegetarian.about.com/od/rawfoodsrecipes/r/raw-fennel-salad.htm
·
·
Enjoy!
We really appreciate you and could not do it with out you.
Thank you,
Erica
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