Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Spring!

Let’s see what happens when I send these out this time!

We have 46 intrepid CSAers for the third week of the CSA season and we have room for 18 more members for the Spring Session…and then starting June 2nd, room for 100 CSA members for the rest of the year. If each CSA member were to find 4 more members…we could fill the CSA. Attached is the CSA “kit” consisting of the contract for new members, brochure and fee sheet. Let’s do this thing! The sooner I don’t have to beat the bushes for members, the more time I have for things like managing the CSA better, finding cool new things to add to the CSA mix (Mushrooms, Tempeh, a Winter CSA Share?) and doing the extra work it would entail.

I’d be happy to place brochures, do a lecture, call, email…do whatever’s needed to spread the good word about CSA. If you have suggestions, please make them known. So far this year we’re going to put an ad in the program for an auction at a local Montessori School. Next, will be an ad placed in the UUFH bulletin called The Beacon (never done before…silly CSA). Both should be reasonably priced. $40 for the Montessori ad and not sure about the UUFH one yet but I don’t imagine it will be very expensive (that one we may want to run a few times).

Any ideas for recruiting new members will be considered… how about jumping out of a van, putting a bag over some random person’s head, taking them to a warehouse in a discreet industrial area, feeding them amazing salads, juiced veggies, soups, vegetable delights made with CSA produce, and Dines Farm grilled marinated chicken thighs, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs (if they’re not vegetarians), and let the food do the talking? Just a thought  .

This email includes…

1. What you actually got this week…
2. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff to Do (new events added weekly)



1. What you actually got this week…

Vegetable Info Sheets attached (keep in a notebook – by the end of the year you’ll have a cookbook!)

Week #3
May 12, 2011

1. Mizuna (greenhouse*)
2. Kale Rabe**
3. Tat Soi (greenhouse*)
4. Scallions
5. Kale: Curly
6. Greens: Mustard, Red (greenhouse*)
7. Chives

Total Items: 7

*Refers to being grown in their greenhouse as opposed to when we get it (whatever it is) after it’s been planted out in the field…go to the farm tours in June and October to see what I’m talking about
**Kale Rabe article…
I learn something new every day whether I want to or not! I thought it was a natural hybrid! Cool…
http://nymag.com/restaurants/recipes/inseason/kale-rabe-in-season-2011-5/



2. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff to Do (new events added weekly)

Saturday, May 14th

Morning

The National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive

All across the US, people can leave non perishable food at their mailbox and their letter carrier will do the rest. The food is then collected and combined with product collected, and given to the local food banks. Here on LI, they are hoping to collect more than 1 million pounds on that day which will benefit more than 200 LI food pantry’s who are part of the Island Harvest network. And, you can help the less fortunate eat naturally by leaving organic or natural food products (Trader Joes and Fairway are good places to find natural non-perishables on sale or very reasonably priced).

9am to 1pm (or 2pm…not sure)

G & G Long Island Winter Farmers Market
Sweet Hollow Hall (or outside in the picnic/dog park area…there will be signs if it’s outdoors)
Gwynne Rd
Melville
For more info:
http://www.winterfarmersmarketlongisland.com/

Free samples from Dines Farm (the rancher/farmer that should be starting their weekly visit to Green Thumb CSA – Huntington starting June 2nd) and other vendors. This is the last week at this location till further notice (maybe till the winter?).

9:30am to 4pm

2011 NYC Community Gardeners’ Forum
Youth in Gardens: Growing Peas and Justice
The New School
66 W 12th St
New York City
FREE (Suggested donation $5 for lunch)
To register and for more info…
http://nyccgc.org/nyccgc-community-gardeners-forum-2011/

Sponsored by the New York City Community Garden Coalition. Workshops include a range of topics, including Grant Writing & Fund Raising, Green Classrooms, Youth Empowerment, and Garden-to-School Café.

6pm (preview) 7pm (auction)

Love of Learning (LOL) Montessori School Spring Gala and Art Auction
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church
Corner of Prospect Road &Mill Dam Road
Centerport NY
$15 in advance/$20 at the door (Dinner, wine & dessert included in ticket price)
Information and advance tickets contact Love of Learning Montessori School:
631-754-4109

CSA members Hayley Wiggins and Tree DeZazzo have children going to LOL Montessori school. Hayley asked our Farmer Bill to donate some items (cookbook, t-shirt, mug) for a basket so they’re available at the auction.

Door Prize - Raffle baskets - Silent Auction (for details about the auction items see the attachments to this email…LOL Basket Donations and LOL List of Silent Auctions)
Food, Wine and Dessert all donated by local businesses and restaurants!

ALL ARE WELCOME! We are a not for profit School with all money going back to our school.


Sunday, May 15th

10:30am

Slow Food/Slow Money: Reconnecting with Mother Earth
UUFH
109 Browns Rd
Huntington
FREE
For more info:
http://www.uufh.org/
There is nothing more central to our lives than the food we eat. Fast food and industrial farming have disconnected our individual choices from their collective impact on farmers and the earth itself. CSA member, Ann Rathkopf and radio personality and chef Bhavani Jaroff, both co-founders of Slow Food Huntington, will lead us in an exploration of the physical, ethical, and ultimately spiritual power of returning to the slow pleasures of the table.
11am (assembly) Noon (parade)

Veggie Pride Parade
From Meatpacking District to Union Square
NYC
FREE
For more info:
http://www.veggieprideparade.org/

Huntington’s own Bob DiBenedetto, president of Healthy Planet, will be there and be one of the speakers!

Noon

Gallery Opening
UUFH
109 Browns Rd
Huntington
FREE

The Green Initiative at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington (a formalized process to “green” the UUFH) is hosting a gallery opening of nature photographs. There will be food, music and videos.


Monday, May 16th

2 to 7pm

Water Fight! Fracking, Food, Art & Economy
The New School
Tischman Auditorium
66 W 12th St
New York City
FREE (suggested donation $10)
To register…
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1519648309/efblike

Parsons The New School for Design and The Baum Forum present an action-oriented conference to energize and educate the public about industrial hydrofracking in our watersheds and regional foodsheds. The event will provide inspiration and tools to protect our ecosystem and build a green economy. By confronting, debating, strategizing and visioning, we will celebrate water, food, art and activism. The program will be moderated by Anna Lappé, author of Diet for a Hot Planet.

Hydrofracking, a dangerous, modern technology employed by gas and oil companies to extract hard to reach gas in the Marcellus and other low-permeable shales, is recognized for its potential to degrade the watersheds of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and beyond. The toxic effects of fracking on water, air, soil and health have been documented and measured, and will compromise the sustainability of farming, vitaculture, and tourism in this region and elsewhere.

7pm

Hungry Filmmakers V
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave
New York City
$15
To purchase tickets…
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/174100
For more info:
http://hungryfilmmakers.blogspot.com/

Admission includes the screenings/discussions of seven up and coming unique food related films, panel hosted by George C. Stoney (NYU Professor Emeritus and legendary documentary filmmaker), and recepton with Lagunitas beer, wine and snacks.


Wednesday, May 18th

5pm to 6pm

iEat Green with Bhavani
The Progressive Radio Network
FREE
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/bhavani-jaroff/

To listen to archived shows…
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/eating-green/

The guest will be Jared Koch, Founder of Clean Plates, a restaurant guide that features every dietary preference from delectable vegan dishes to juicy grass-fed burgers. Jared graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition with certification by Columbia University, Teachers College in 2005 and graduated from the Global Institute for Alternative Medicine in 2004. He is a health coach, nutritional consultant, and certified yoga instructor with expertise in meditation, and he speaks frequently on the topic of nutrition. Jared believes in offering individuals and groups that are committed to living a more conscious, healthier lifestyle the education, inspiration, resources, and support to be able to do so


Friday, May 20th

6 to 7pm

The Healthy Planet Radio Show
WUSB-FM / 90.1FM
For more info and to listen live or archived:
http://www.thehealthyplanet.org/


Tuesday, May 24th

7 to 9pm

Celebrate Spring with JUST FOOD
Whole Foods Market – Bowery
Culinary Center
95 E Houston St
New York City
$25 (Demonstration & Tasting)
To register…
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=218692

In this benefit class for Just Food! join Peter Berley, cookbook author (The Flexitarian Table, Houghton Mifflin) and former executive chef of the legendary Angelica’s Kitchen, as he shows you how to prepare seasonal and healthy dishes while highlighting some of the season’s tastiest offerings, such as early greens and herbs, radishes, and strawberries.
All proceeds from tonight’s class will benefit Just Food.
On the Menu: Potage of Spring Greens with Green Garlic and Mint; Dandelion and Goat Cheese Frittata; Butter-Glazed Radishes with Radish Greens; Warm Honey-Lemon Curd with Strawberries.
Instructor: Peter Berley, Chef, Cookbook Author, and Culinary Instructor
www.peterberley.com
www.justfood.org


Thursday, June 2nd

7pm

Holistic Moms Network Open House and Chapter Kick Off!
Western Suffolk NY Chapter
Elwood Public Library
1929 Jericho Tpke
E Northport
FREE
For more info and to get involved:
www.holisticmoms.org
Email: wsuffolkhmn@aol.com

Our CSA member Vickie Muller has helped organized this new group! Cool!!! It’s all about “Living Healthy, Living Green”


Sunday, June 5th

11am to 5pm

Bay Day
Beekman Beach
Oyster Bay
FREE

Slow Food Huntington will be tabling at this event. Come by and say hello! Bay Day is an annual festival, hosted by The WaterFront Center, to promote environmental awareness and stewardship. It's a free community event that strengthens the connection to Oyster Bay and the marine environment by providing exciting, water related activities. Live music will be on stage throughout the day for your enjoyment and food and refreshments will be served for your convenience. The WaterFront Center specifically will provide activities including: Anything That Floats Race (ATFR), Harbor Tours aboard the Christeen , free sails aboard our Sonars, free use of our kayaks, and touch tanks of local marine life. Other local not for profits and businesses that align with our vision have been invited to share with the public what they are working on, their goals, values and mission. Those groups will have various activities and information available and be on site to answer your questions.


Saturday, June 18th

Times: TBA

Annual CSA Member Strawberry Picking Walking Tour
Halsey’s Green Thumb Organic Farm
Rt 25
Water Mill, NY
FREE

MEET your farmer! SEE where your food is being grown! EAT the Strawberries! This is one of two opportunities we have to tour the farm and spend time with the people that make it happen…Farmer Bill Halsey, his family and co-workers. This event is for CSA members and immediate family only! If you are sharing a CSA share with another person or family…you have to choose who’s going and register under the name of the CSA member. There are too many CSA members between Long Island and NYC to accommodate more people.


August 12th to 14th

NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers Association) 37th Annual Summer Conference
For more info:
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/

I’m going this year…and you? It’s fun, educational, reasonably priced, and anyone who goes WILL have a great time. Whether you’re single, family, senior…whatever…a good time will be had!


Monday, October 24th

Food Day
For more info:
http://www.foodday.org/

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