Week #17 Sept. 24, 2015

Happy National Organic Harvest Month and Happy Autumn!

CSA Weather Report…lovely!

Keep in mind that our last chance to get a tour of our farm this season is Saturday, October 17th! It’s in the events calendar below but there’ll be more info to follow as soon as I get it!

Still got your Lima Beans in the fridge? Read this…
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=59
And then read this and follow the recipe (though I don’t peel the outer coating like she did unless it’s really tough…Favas - yes, Limas - no)…
http://www.restaurantwidow.com/2007/09/yet-another-rid.html

Apology…sorry for misinforming you about the CSA members whose daughter was singing at the Sky Room Café last week. Not the Weavings! I could swear it was them but hey…mistakes do get made. When in fact, it was the Garvey’s (publishers of Creations magazine) daughter Kirsten Maxwell, and if you didn’t make it to the concert last week after the CSA, you can listen to her music here…
http://www.kirstenmaxwell.com/music-1/

Tomato info…the first time we got our “Stuffing” Tomatoes (red and yellow striped Heirlooms), no one at the farm told me about them so after that CSA one person contacted me and thought they were faulty, and another instinctively stuffed them and was happy at her creativity of making Lemonade out of what appeared to be the Tomato equivalent of a Lemon. The next week I was told what they were and we’ve been spreading the word ever since. I learn something new every year even after 18 years of CSA experience.  Here’s a good article on Stuffing Tomatoes with recipes…
http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/stuffing-tomato-varieties-zmaz02fmzgoe.aspx

Basil info…anyone wonder why we don’t have Basil Shares anymore? Or Basil in the Herb Share? Or Basil in our regular CSA Share? Then read this…
If you see the extent a plant pathologist went to for her Basil at home, you’ll see why this is not doable on a farm…
http://livegpath.cals.cornell.edu/gallery/basil/how-gardeners-can-manage-downy-mildew-in-basil/
For more info…
http://awaytogarden.com/basil-pressure-fight-devastating-downy-mildew/
The farm (and you) may need to wait till there are resistant varieties (not-GMO bred but old school hybridized).

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.Notes from the Farm
5. Food saving tips!
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7.The downside of Green Smoothies…
8. What you actually got last week
9. Store Salad Greens vs. Local Salad Greens
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)…

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 24, 2015
Week #17

1.Tomatoes*
2.Lettuce
3.Squash, Summer**
4.Kale
5.Soy Beans OR Okra***
6.Squash, Winter

Total Items: 6

Herb Share – September 2B
Marjoram AND Sage

*
Tomatoes 23 ways…
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/07/fresh-summer-tomato-recipes.html

**
Zucchini Parmesan (or Costata Romanesco, or Golden, or Kousa, or Yellow…keep repeating the CSA mantra “Squash…is Squash!  )…
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/dining/roasted-zucchini-makes-a-fresh-parmesan-dish.html?_r=0
Summer Squash Noodle Salad…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/DailyDose/archive/2015/07/31/Summer-Squash-Noodle-Salad.aspx?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740

If you don’t have a spiralizer yet, the Cleveland Clinic (headed by Dr. Oz’s buddy Dr. Michael Roizen) sells one…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Pages/CCWProductDetails.aspx?category=Tools&cat=WellnessCatalog&pid=781723971012&utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740#

**Quick and slow Okra recipes…
http://www.tastingtable.com/cook/national/how-to-cook-okra-recipes-fried-okra-bollywood-theater?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=Quick_vs_Slow_Okra_Edition_2015_07_23&utm_content=Cooking_editorial



4.Notes from the Farm

Mid-September 2015

Our summer drought has ended!!! After less than 2” of rain all of July, August and into the 2nd week of September (what we ideally should be getting is 1” of rain every week so we were 9” short), we got 4” of rain in 3 days. This was greatly needed for our fall crops, which have been planted into dry, dusty soil. Our fall greens: Tat Soi, other Chois (Choy/Choi basically means green vegetable in Chinese), Arugula, Mizuna, Spinach, and others all needed some water to start growing. Turnips (Gold, Red, and White), as well as several varieties of winter Radishes, all had been dormant until the rains arrived. It will be another month before we start harvesting them, but will have them into December.

Our Kales, Cabbage and Broccoli greatly benefited from all the rains.

We’re still picking much of our summer crops…Peppers, Eggplants and Tomatoes, Beans and Summer Squashes. We will only have all of these another month or so. Winter Squashes are now being picked and put into storage for distribution over the next weeks until the end in December. Next week we plan on digging our Sweet Potatoes and will have them until our final delivery as well.

Happy Fall, enjoy the season’s bounty…Winter is around the corner!

Organically yours,
Farmer Bill (Halsey)



5.Food saving tips!

Save food, save money, less waste, more food for you! 
http://www.drjohnlapuma.com/wellness-and-health/saving-money-and-setting-an-example-for-kids-10-food-waste-tricks-to-do-now/



6.Events

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 4pm

17th Annual Long Island Naturally Environmental Fair
Manor Farm
210 Manor Rd
Huntington
FREE
For more info about this event:
http://www.starflowerexperiences.org/

Starflower Experiences presents its annual Fair and Community Yard Sale. There will be live music, games for the kids, and info about green living.

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)


Sunday, September 27th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)

10am to 6pm


Monday, September 28th, to Monday, October 5th

Holistic Oral Health Summit…online
FREE
To register…
http://holisticoralhealthsummit.com/

If you don’t have teeth, it makes it more challenging to eat!  Listen and watch 34 experts talk about alternative ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy and get your mouth healthy if it’s not. And just for registering, you get some free info. I noticed one of the speakers was holistic dentist, Dr. Len Fazio, from Smithtown.


Tuesday, September 29th

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.


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)


Tuesday, October 6th

6:30pm to 9:30pm

The Fall Gala for the Coalition for Healthy School Food presents…Great Chefs Cook for Healthy School Food
Midtown Loft
267 5th Ave
NYC
$125/$300
To get tickets:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ebey8bun4f070028&oseq&c&ch
For more info about the event:
http://www.healthyschoolfood.org/events.htm

This is a wonderful organization headed by ex-Long Islander Amie Hamlin. Participating restaurants include Vedge (famous vegetarian restaurant in PA), Candle Café, Franchia, V-Spot, and chefs including Fran Costigan and Bhavani Jharoff (from Long Island) and many more. There will be live jazz, gift bags, a raffle and a silent auction.


Sunday, October 11th

9am to 12:30pm

Food Justice from Seed to Market
Omega Institute Online
FREE to $30
To register…
https://www.eomega.org/online-workshops/food-justice-from-seed-to-market?source=ePromo.OM.HB#-workshop-description-block

CSA member Joy Tuxson let me know about this wonderful online event featuring Vandana Shiva, a heroine of the global environmental movement, along with Winona LaDuke, Will Allen and other inspirational speakers. Once you’re registered, this will be available to be viewed till November 11th if you can’t watch it on October 11th.


Saturday, October 17th

Time (TBA)

Green Thumb CSA Annual Pumpkin Picking Farm Tour
Green Thumb Farm
Water Mill
FREE

Open to all Green Thumb CSA members and immediate family only. Must RSVP to attend. Detail to follow as soon as we get them.


Saturday, October 24th

8:30am to 6pm

12th Annual Holistic Mom’s Network (HMN) Natural Living Conference
New Jersey Institute of Technology
150 Bleecker St
Newark, NJ
$55 (members/$50 General Public/$35 (ages 5 to 12)
For more info and to register:
https://hmn-nlc.squarespace.com/

Keynote speakers are Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting, and Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth. Holistic Moms Network has 100 chapters nationwide (and there’s one in Huntington) and this year the conference is close to Long Island. For more info about HMN…
http://www.holisticmoms.org/


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!


Friday, October 30th

6:30pm

MysTEArious Halloween Tea Pairing
Sip Tea Lounge
286 New York Ave
Huntington
$25
To buy tickets:
631-683-5777

Enjoy a 5 course tea pairing with sweet and savory vegan treats! Feel free to come costume and bring your Halloween spirit! 


Sunday, November 8th

NAVEL Expo
For more info:
http://navelexpo.com/

Major all day holistic health event usually held in Huntington. Info TBA.



7.The downside of Green Smoothies…

There aren’t many in this video BUT if you drink these (or Hibiscus Tea) I do advise you watch this and learn what they are…
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-downside-of-green-smoothies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-downside-of-green-smoothies&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=ccbf213f9d-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-ccbf213f9d-23639013



8.What you actually got last week

September 17, 2015
Week #16

1.Tomatoes, Mini: Cherry – Red OR Pear – Yellow OR Sungold – 1 pt - $4.75
2.Lettuce: Leaf, Red OR Oak Leaf, Green – 1 head - $3.00
3.Radishes – 1 bunch - $3.00
4.Eggplants: Neon, White – up to 1 lb (and then left in bowl and weighed with Peppers)
5.Peppers, Sweet: Bell, Romanian Was – up to 1 lb (Eggplants and Peppers together totaling up to 2 lbs) - $4.50
6.Beans, Snap: Green OR Romano OR Yellow/Wax OR Beans, Shelling: Lima – 1 lb bag - $3.50

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.75
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $.25 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 $16.95 total extra.



9.Store Salad Greens vs. Local Salad Greens

Local wins every time (go CSA salad greens  )…
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/08/salad-greens-water-nutrition



10.And now for something completely different…

Pizza farm? Riiiggghhhtttt….
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/b3e57df4eb/pizza-farm-with-nick-offerman?_cc=__d___&_ccid=etwh8a.nri503

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