Week #12 August 20, 2015

Happy Summer!

CSA Weather Report…hot and muggy, maybe thunderstorms, maybe not! 

We could use some help at the CSA this week from 3:30pm to 5:30pm (see #2).

**CSA Parking suggestion…if you’re coming to the Cinema Arts Centre to pick up at the CSA between 3:45pm and 4:15pm, be aware there will be YMCA camp pickups going on till August 28th. Tell the people directing traffic that you’re not picking anyone up at the YMCA and they’ll let you go around the line of cars to be able to park in the back by the day care center for the CSA.
Try parking all the way around the building in the upper parking lot where the day care center play area is. You hopefully will find a spot, and it’s a short walk down the stairs to the entrance of the Cinema where the CSA is located from there, and most people don’t seem to think of parking up there. If you park illegally you can get a parking ticket, it does happen!

CSA Basics 101 –
Please read the Wall Chart that the farmer brings in every week, follow the direction on the Wall Chart, and it’s not a bad idea to refer to it before you leave the CSA to make sure you haven’t taken too much OR too little before you leave the CSA.
I can’t tell you how many times I have left the CSA, gotten home, and realized I THOUGHT I took everything in the share for the week, didn’t, and it’s too late to do anything about it as anything left over at the end of the night is donated and gone at 7:31pm (unless prior arrangements have been made by CSA members for late pickups).

If you are going to show up at the CSA later than 7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (may be different every week but will probably be open till at least 10pm) and it’s the last minute and you’re running late…call the Cinema Arts Centre Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 and ask them to transfer the call to the café so we can pack a bag for you, put your name on it and leave it at the Box Office. If you don’t get to the Cinema before the Box Office closes, your food will NOT be there the next day. The Cinema is under no obligation to store your food, and we don’t want to be the cause of bugs being attracted to our wonderful CSA food.


This email contains (and keep in mind as far as any info/opinions that are not directly CSA related, you can always take what you like and leave the rest  )…

1.We bag our own!
2.HELP!!! At the CSA this week we are looking for ONE (1) person to help out from 3:30pm to 5:30pm …
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4. Click away and help change the world!
5.Better cooked than raw…
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7.Who’s eating enough vegetables?
8. What you actually got last week
9.The Dirty Dozen and our CSA…
10.And now for something completely different…


1.We bag our own

CSA basic, for this CSA anyways, is that you need to bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now till December 10th!

And if you ask anyone to pick up your CSA food for you, please let them know that they need to bring bags to pack the food in.

So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in!  Put them in the trunk, or the glove compartment, or in a bigger bag somewhere in the car, or whatever you think will work for your situation. That way, you don’t even have to remember, they’re just there.

The CSA is under no obligation to provide you with bags for your food.

I also recommend a selection of canvas, paper and plastic. I bag my CSA share up in my paper (Strawberries) and plastic bags (most everything else) and put it in my bigger canvas bag so when I get home, everything’s pretty much (with some exceptions…like herbs) ready to be put right into the fridge.



2. HELP!!! At the CSA this week we are looking for ONE (1) person to help out from 3:30pm to 5:30pm …

If you’re available, please..

1. Respond to this email from now till 1pm, Thursday, July 23rd
2. Call 631-421-4864 from now till 1pm, Thursday, July 23rd
3. Call the Cinema Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 from 3pm to 3:30pm on Thursday, July 9th, and make sure we get the message at the CSA (ask them to put the call through to the Sky Café) that you’re coming to work and when
4. Just stop by the CSA a little before 3:30pm and see if we still need help.

You can always show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and offer to help out just in case someone doesn’t show up (stuff happens  ).

If you didn’t already get an email from Hayley or/and suzanne talking to you about being at the CSA on the Early Shift (3:30pm to 5:30pm) or the Late Shift (5:30pm to 7:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.



3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!

CSA #101 – The Basics – when trying any new food item, start small and start slow. See how your body and palate reacts. And if you aren’t crazy about the taste, texture, smell, something…try at least SIX completely different ways of preparing it before you give it the heave-ho (raw, steamed, stir-fried, fried …maybe not so healthy but ANYTHING usually tastes good fried, in a salad, in a soup, in a sandwich, in a stew, in a smoothie, and on and on)!  Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

August 20, 2015
Week #12

1.Tomatoes, Mini – 1 pt
2.Lettuce
3.Beans, Shelling: Cranberry
4.Melons (not sure if we’re getting Watermelons or Cantaloupes so you have both info sheets)
5.Eggplant
6.Peppers, Sweet

Total Items: 6

Flower Share – Week #10 (not sure about this one…it’s pretty hot and dry at the farm)



4.Click away and help change the world!

A.Ask some big food companies to support FDA mandatory labeling of GMO foods/ingredients…
https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50202/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17209&tag=20150818COR

B.Petition from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide better scientific information in its latest report on the impacts of fracking on drinking water: https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4835.
If this doesn’t make you want to know where your food is coming from (and eating local), I don’t know what would!  Food from California can be grown with fracking water (I know these are desperate times but…)…
http://www.grubstreet.com/2015/08/fracking-label.html?om_rid=AADNgX&om_mid=_BV03mqB9ErBSRc



5.Better cooked than raw…

Some of our CSA food is more nutritious cooked than raw (Kale, Carrots, Tomatoes, Spinach…and if we get a Mushroom Share next year, those too)…
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-foods-that-are-healthier-cooked.html

However, better to eat them raw than not at all. 



6.Events

Thursday, August 20th

10am to 11pm

Founder of CSA in USA, Elizabeth Henderson today’s guest on…
iEat Green Online Radio
www.PRN.org
To call in during the show:
888-874-4888

If you don’t catch it live, you can hear it in the archives…
http://prn.fm/category/archives/ieat-green/

3pm

Outstanding in the Field at Beekman 1802
6725 State Road
Sharon Springs, NY
$210
For more info and to get tickets:
http://outstandinginthefield.ticketmob.com/event.cfm?cart&showTimingID=66245

There were other Outstanding in the Field events on Long Island and NYC but they’re sold out, and this is the only one left in the area. The chef at this event used to work at WD-50 in NYC, and Beekman 1802 is the farm featured on the TV show called The Beekman Boys starring owners Brent and Josh.

7pm to 10pm

Vegan Ethiopian Cooking Class by Bunna Café!
Fine & Raw Chocolate Factory
288 Seigel St
Bushwick, BK
$85
To purchase tickets:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/cook-with-bunna-ethiopian-cooking-class-and-dinner-with-chef-kedega-srage-tickets-17416966616

Hosted by Chef Kedega Srage, learn how to make 6 delectable dishes, and also learn how to make injera, Ethiopian flatbread, and get an immersion into the culture behind the food and Bunna, Ethiopian coffee. Finally, stick around and celebrate your newfound knowledge and skill with a candlelight dinner. BYOB. Recipes and literature will be provided for all guests to supplement the class. Dishes will be announced the week of the class
https://www.facebook.com/bunnacafe


Tuesday, August 25th

6:30pm (distribution starts at 7pm)

Food Not Bombs Huntington Food Share Distribution
E 6th St and Fairground Ave
Huntington Station
For more info and to get on their email list:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

If you want to help the group that we’re donating our CSA leftover food to this year, this is when and where you’d go. You can go any Tuesday…they’ll be there.


Thursday, August 27th

6:30 pm

“Yoga in the Walled Garden” with Erica Settino
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
Huntington
FREE

Submitted by new CSA member Joy Truxson…Please join us for an extraordinary experience as instructor Erica Settino leads us through a rejuvenating hour of peaceful yoga and meditation in the lovely Walled Garden. This program is appropriate for all levels, including beginners. Come experience the healing power of yoga practiced in nature. Please bring your own mat and water, and wear comfortable clothing. The event is free to the public.


Saturday, September 19th

12pm to 8pm

7th Annual Gaia’s Essence Women’s Wellness Conference
Islandia Marriott Long Island
3635 Expressway Drive North
Islandia
$25
For more info and to get tickets:
http://gewwc.com/

Their mission statement for this event is be empowered…be inspired…your perception…your reality. This year they’ll be having a kid’s room with special programs just for kids! Sponsors include Fit Healthy Mamas, LI Dietetic Association, Natural Awakenings magazine, So Delicious, Vitamix, and Whole Foods.


Wednesday, September 30th

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 1st

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 29th

8pm

Conversations: Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Rd
Westbury
$63
For more info and to buy tickets…
http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004E75D4FC4D1F?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141

An in depth talk with questions from you! For the past 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agricul¬ture, gardens, drugs and architecture. He is the author of the best-sellers In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Join us in a moderated conversation with audience Q&A and a book signing to follow. This is a new project in association with Book Revue of Huntington!



7.Who’s eating enough vegetables?

NY is at 8.8% of the population eating the MINIMAL standard for eating produce (2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of veg…the 5 a Day campaign)…many health advocates recommend TEN cups of fruit and veg a day with the majority being vegetables since as good as fruit is, it’s still sugary goodness…
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/do-people-eat-enough-fruits-and-veggies-your-state



8.What you actually got last week

August 13, 2015
Week #11

1.Tomatoes: Heirloom (heart shaped Red and bi-color Red and Yellow), Pink, Red, Yellow; Paste: Red, Yellow – up to 2 lbs - $6.00
2.Carrots* – 1 bunch - $3.50
3.Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
4.Eggplant: Japanese – 2 - $2.75
5.Cucumbers – up to 1 lb – PLUS
6.Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Eight Ball, Kousa, Patty Pan – Green, Yellow, Zucchini – up to 1 lb (Cucumbers + Summer Squash up to 2 lbs total) - $4.00
7.Peppers, Sweet: Green – 2 - $1.25

Total Items: 7
Total Amount: $20.50
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $2.00 more than we paid for. Doesn’t sound like much but see how every little bit extra he gives us adds up over the course of the 28 weeks! So far it’s $11.45 total extra.

Flower Share – Week #9
Flamingo Feathers (Celosia Spicata)

Herb Share – August 1A
Chives AND Sage



9.The Dirty Dozen and our CSA…

Of the 12 Dirty Dozen foods (and the 2 extras) listed (the foods one should prioritize to buy organic first), our CSA provides us with 8 out of the 14.

5 of the ones we don’t get are fruits, which our farmer either doesn’t grow or doesn’t grow in enough quantities for us to get at the CSA (Blueberries), and they don’t grow Potatoes…Green Thumb Farm has chosen to grow Sweet Potatoes instead which are more nutritious and are easier to grow organically on Long Island.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP05638/Are-You-Eating-the-Dirty-Dozen.html



10.And now for something completely different…

Ever spill some coffee?

Did it ever end up looking like this? 

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/07/30/427540161/coffee-art-when-a-spill-turns-into-a-masterpiece

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