Week #16 Sept. 17, 2015

Happy National Organic Harvest Month and Happy Summer (it’s still summer till September 22nd/23rd)!

CSA Weather Report…just lovely!

And remember, we’re going to be outside in the garden of the Cinema Arts Centre this week!

Here’s a quote I found about the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah (celebrated starting Saturday evening, Sept 12th) that I lifted from an email from another CSA (Homecoming Farm in Amityville…run by Dominican nuns) and it made me think of all of us and our CSA…CSA is about the relationship between you and the Halsey family at Green Thumb Farm, where they work long and hard to help sustain you (and your family) with the food they grow, and when you spread the word about your CSA you help do the same for others…
“Rosh Hashanah is about relationships. Whether between individuals and the God in whom they believe, communities and the traditions which define them, or simply between individuals, whether any God or tradition is part of their lives, it's all about sustaining relationships which sustain us and help us do the same for others.”
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, President of The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership

To all our CSA members celebrating this Judaic holiday season…L’Shanah Tovah! 

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. We don’t need your help this week at the CSA (but there’s a lot of time between now and December 10th that we will)…
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.Sushi Bowl recipe…
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7.Any teachers out there of grades K – 12? Know any???
8. What you actually got last week
9. How to stop farmers from polluting water (we’re not talking organic farmers)…
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. We don’t need your help this week at the CSA (but there’s a lot of time between now and December 10th that we will)…

The last email worked, and so we now have enough folks to help out tomorrow at our outdoor CSA!

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.

September 17, 2015
Week #16

1.Tomatoes, Mini
2.Lettuce
3.Radishes
4.Eggplants
5.Peppers, Sweet
6.Beans, Snap (same as String Beans)

Total Items: 6



4.Click away and help change the world!

A.Tell Congress…no cuts to food stamp benefits!
https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/tell-congress-no-cuts-to-food-stamp-benefits?cmpid=action-eml-recurring-snap

B.Help protect Monarch Butterflies and help yourself!

GMO crops require more of the pesticide Roundup, and that kills the plant called Milkweed that the Butterflies use as a food source, SO it’s another way Monsanto is helping these creatures become extinct. Monarch Butterflies are a pollinator insect and for food production, we need all the pollinators we can get!

So, help the Butterflies, help yourself…
http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18427

C.The same class of pesticides that are killing off Bees are polluting waterways and harming other wildlife.

Click here to tell the EPA to get rid of them…
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17453



5.Sushi Bowl recipe…

Contributed by CSA member Kim Battaglia…
http://cookieandkate.com/2015/vegetarian-sushi-bowl-recipe/?utm_source=Cookie+and+Kate+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7f20acdc8f-Email-New_posts_by_email1_12_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dc2361842c-7f20acdc8f-243065241

CSA foods that we get that are in the recipe include Cucumbers, Carrots and Soy Beans…though I’m pretty sure we didn’t get enough for 2 cups that the recipe asks for. However, in a recipe like this…improvise! 

And looking on this website, I found THIS one that looks really good…

Creamy Cherry Tomato and Summer Squash Pasta…
http://cookieandkate.com/2015/creamy-cherry-tomato-summer-squash-pasta/

You could make this with any Tomatoes and any of the many kinds of Summer Squash that we get.

And this recipe would be great with the heirloom stuffing Tomatoes we got this past week…
http://cookieandkate.com/2011/stuffed-tomatoes-with-quinoa/



6.Events

Saturday, September 19th

10am to 1pm

Island Harvest Food Drive
Walbaums
60 Wall Street
Huntington

A trip to Trader Joe’s can make organic or healthier food donations pretty darn inexpensive. Suggested items include donations of canned vegetables, tomato sauce, soups, peanut butter, pasta, cereals, baby formula, spices, coffee, tea, personal care items or nutritional beverages.

10am to 4pm

36th Annual Pickle Festival
John Gardiner Farm
900 Park Ave
Huntington
$5.00
For more info:
http://www.greenlawncenterporthistorical.org/

10am to 4pm

7th Annual Organic Apple Festival
Rodale Institute
Kutztown, PA
$5 per car
For more info and directions:
http://rodaleinstitute.org/organicapplefestival/
For the more ambitious and early rising, there’s a 5K race staring at 8:30am. To register ($30)…
http://rodaleinstitute.org/apple-a-day-5k/

Pick your own organic Apples, 40 organic food vendors, live music and stuff for the kids!

11am to 6pm

33rd Annual Queens County Fair
$9 Adults/$ Children 3 to 12/under 3 years of age FREE
FYI – no pets allowed
For more info and to buy tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/33rd-annual-queens-county-fair-tickets-18463714467

Irish music, pie eating, farm animals, corn maize, food and craft vendors, and fun for the whole family!

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.


Sunday, September 20th

10am to 4pm (can pick up tickets and map at Charnews Farm stating at 9am)

9th Annual North Fork Foodie Tour
Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm
3005 Youngs Ave
Southold
$25 (12 and under FREE)
For more info and to buy tickets in advance:
http://northforkfoodietour.brownpapertickets.com/
If you’re interested in renting a bike to do the tour for $36…
http://www.northforkreformsynagogue.org/foodie-tour-2015

It’s an amazing day to tour a large number of north fork farms, vineyards, etc., meet chefs, win prizes, eat food, milk goats and a whole lot more, organized by the North Fork Reform Synagogue!

11am to 6pm

33rd Annual Queens County Fair
$9 Adults/$ Children 3 to 12/under 3 years of age FREE
FYI – no pets allowed
For more info and to buy tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/33rd-annual-queens-county-fair-tickets-18463714467

German music, pie eating, farm animals, corn maize, food and craft vendors, and fun for the whole family!


Tuesday, September 22nd

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.


Friday, September 25th

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, September 26th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)


Sunday, September 27th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)


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


Friday, October 2nd

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, October 3rd

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Sunday, October 4th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


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. Any teachers out there of grades K – 12? Know any???
If so, there’s a program coming up thru the organization NY Agriculture in the Classroom to help teachers use to connect their curriculum to gardens and local food systems, all while earning 18 hours of Professional Development Credits.
For more info and to register (scholarship application deadline 9/22, registration deadline 9/30)…
http://agclassroom.org/ny/programs/literacy_academy_li.htm



8.What you actually got last week

September 10, 2015
Week #15

1.Tomatoes: Orange, Red, Rose, Stuffing Heirloom, Yellow – up to 2 lbs - $6.00
2.Lettuce: Leaf, Green – 1 head - $3.00
3.Beans, Shelling: Soy (Edamame) OR Okra: Green & Red – 1 bag (1/2 lb) - $3.50
4.Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
5.Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Eight Ball, Golden, Kousa, Patty Pan – Green and Yellow, Yellow, Zucchini – up to 2 lbs - $4.00

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $19.50
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $1.00 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 $16.70 total extra.

Herb Share – Sept 1A
Thyme and Savory, Winter



9.How to stop farmers from polluting water (we’re not talking organic farmers)…

Legislation being proposed to have non-organic farmers not pollute water due to use of large amounts of synthetic fertilizers and the lack of cover crops to absorb it…
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/des-moines-nitrate-water-lawsuit

And purchasing more organic foods increases the need for more organic farms which will also help this situation!



10.And now for something completely different…

Vegan reggae music!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIzAF1I7g8

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