CSA 12/17

Hello CSA Members,

It is so wonderful to have you all as members.  As competition for CSA’s increases we are constantly trying to find ways to serve you better.  We have heard at the recent workshops about how CSA’s should be made easier for the farmer and that choice should be limited for the member.  That has never been my philosophy.  I wanted to get into farming because I love the interaction with the customer and sharing what I do with my members.  Yes, ordering adds about 6 extra hours of labor me each week and no we do not charge for that labor.  But, it all goes back to what I want to get from this business and I want to be connected to my members and my clients.  I love knowing what each of you like and dislike.  And if I had my choice I would give you all every kind of vegetable or fruit you wanted each week in any quantity you wanted. 

We have this week of delivery and then the last delivery will be December 23^rd, which is a Tuesday.  Please mark the change on your calendar.  We are delivering early due to the holiday. 

This will be the last egg delivery week of the season. 

If you are a new member we encourage you to read this whole email to see instructions for ordering.  Please contact us with any questions.  It may seem like a lot to begin with but you will get the hang of it.  We appreciate all communication to make it easier on you.   If you choose not to order or forget to order don’t worry you will still be getting produce.  We will pack a nice box for you each week. 

We will post the weekly email on our blog: http://bhorganics.blogspot.com/ if you cannot check your email or erase the email feels free to check the blog for the week’s list.  The blog can be linked through our website www.bhorganicproduce.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.

The Hartz pick up is at 211 Twin County Rd (RT10) Morgantown, PA from 2 pm till 6 pm.  The West Reading Pick up is at 330 Franklin St 3pm till 8 pm. 

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.

If you are unable to pick up your box please text or call 484-955-1098 or email us. 

When:

You can order by replying to the email or by emailing bhorganicscsa@gmail.com.  The orders must be in by Tuesday at 1 am.  Processing the orders takes some time so I would appreciate no late orders.

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 6 items from this list.

·      Potato –Kennebec (White) – 2 lb. You may order 4.

·      Salad Mix – 6 oz. OR Spinach – 7 oz

·      Radishes, Watermelon. – 1.5 lb (May be without greens.) You may order 2.

·      Collard Greens – 1/2 lb. You may order 2.

·      Carrot, orange or mixed colors – 2 lb without greens. You may order 4.

·      Beet- Chioggia or Red (May be without greens.)– 1.5 lb. You may order 4.

·      Braising Mix (A mix of mustard greens in a bunch.) – ¾ lb. You may order 2.

·      Cabbage, Green, Savoy or Napa – 1-2 heads depending on size.  You may order 2.

·      Rutabaga – 1 root.  Some roots are very large. (We purchased these from a local organic farm.) You may order 3.

·      Radish, Daikon – 1 lb – no greens. 

·      Winter Squash- Red Kuri, Acorn, Butternut or Blue Hokkaido– 1 fruit. We may not be able to guarantee which variety because we have small amounts of each.  (We purchased these from a local organic farm.) You may order 1.

·      Tatsoi (similar to boc choi) – 1 head

·      Kale – ½ lb – This could be Red Russian, Lacinato or Curly or a mix.  We can’t guarantee which variety. 

Extras:   You must order “Extras” however they are free.  All extras are on a first come first serve basis. 

·      Napa Cabbage – 1 head. – You must order Napa in your original order. 

·      Radish, Daikon – 1 lb – no greens.  You must order Daikon in your original order. 

·      Radishes, Watermelon. – 1.5 lb (May be without greens.)  You must order Watermelon Radishes in your original order. 

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:

·      Potatoes

·      Tatsoi

·      Collards

·      All radishes

·      Braising Mix

·      Carrots

·      Beets

·      Cabbage

·      Winter Squash

·      Kale

Recipes:

Winter Squash:

We have several types available this week.  I thought I would give you a little description. 

We ran out of our winter squash in the first 3 weeks of the Late Season CSA so we ordered in more from our really good friend Wayne Miller from Epic Acre Farm in Mertztown.  Wayne was the person who inspired me to be a farmer.  He never wants to take credit but I met Wayne when I was 17 and I had a large garden.  He told me he was a vegetable farmer.  And huge light bulb went on over my head!!!  I asked “Do you get paid for that?” and he said, “Yes.”  I decided then and there that I wanted to try farming and 20 years later I still love playing in the mud!  Thank you Wayne!

·      Acorn – I am sure this one needs no description.  A small green skinned fruit with a yellow flesh.  It is very versatile and light in texture.  Acorn squash is usually ready to eat after harvest.  Many of the other squashes need storage time to develop a sweet flavor. 

·      Red Kuri – This is actually a type of Hubbard squash.  I love this one.  It has a dark orange skin and flesh.  It may not be as sweet as a butternut but I like a more savory squash for making curry or soup.  The flesh is also firm so it holds up well as chunks in soup.

·      Blue Hokkaido – This is a kabocha squash.  Thought of as the one of the sweetest and also has a firm flesh.  The skin is a blue grey and the flesh is bright orange.

·      Butternut – self-explanatory.  I do and do not like this one because it is so sweet.  Butternuts are the most disease resistant which is why we usually have so many of them. 

·       

Enjoy!

We really appreciate you and could not do it with out you.

Thank you,

Erica