Tuesday, November 24, 2015

WEDNESDAY, November 25, 2015 Week #25 **PLEASE NOTE: PICK UP is WEDNESDAY not Thursday (Thanksgiving)!** Happy Organic Thanksgiving!



Greetings!

The CSA is back in the Sky Room Café at the Cinema Arts Center BUT the day and hours are different.

You’ll be able to pick up your food this WEDNESDAY (Thursday is Thanksgiving in case it’s slipped your mind) from 2:30pm to 7:30pm.

If you’re not going to be picking up your food this week (and not having someone pick it up for you) it would be nice if you let us know, so we don’t have to wait for you to show up and could leave early.

In the email ONLY…(not posted to the web)

1.       HELP!!! We need people this week to work various shifts (please read for details)

2.       Updated reminder as to who hasn’t worked at least 2 hours at the CSA this season, and who has some hours left to get their Work Deposit returned (or maintain their Working Member CSA status)…

 
1.HELP!!! We need people to work various shifts this week (please read for details)

We need a people to work this week the following times (and there’s 3 weeks left to put in any CSA work hours so you can take certainly advantage this week) …

2:30pm to 4:30pm
3:30pm to 5:30pm
4:30 to 6:30pm
5:30pm to 7:30pm

Or even from 2:30pm to 7:30pm

And if you can only work 1 hour (maybe you share with someone so you want to get your 2 hours by working the one hour together with your CSA share partner) we’ll take you from 2:30 to 3:30pm or 6:30pm to 7:30pm

If you’re available, please..

  1. Respond to this email from now till noon, Wednesday, November 25th
  2. Call 631-421-4864 from now till noon, Wednesday, November 25th
  3. Call the Cinema Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm on Wednesday, November 25th, and make sure you talk to someone from the CSA to let us know that you’re coming to work and when
  4. Just stop by the CSA a little before 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 or 5:30pm and see if we still need help.

This week you can show up a little before 2:30pm, or 3:30pm, or 4:30pm, 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 (2:30pm to 4:30pm) or the Late Shift (4:30pm to 6:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.

If you want to schedule time for the remainder of the season (12/3 and 12/10), reply to this email or contact our CSA work coordinator, Hayley Wiggins, at hayley113@verizon.net



2.A reminder as to who hasn’t worked at least 2 hours at the CSA this season, and who has some hours left to get their Work Deposit returned (or maintain their Working Member CSA status)…

This year for the first time, we “asked/requested” every CSA member to put in ONE two hour shift over the course of their CSA membership for 2015 (they’ve done this for years at the Green Thumb CSA in Brooklyn).

So far, not sure “asking” is working.

The latest stats are…

76 CSA members (one member has 2 shares so the number of CSA shares is 77)

23 CSA members have completed at least 12 hours of service (or 6 hours if they joined on September 10th), and the CSA is VERY grateful

23 people have put in at least 2 hours (and kudos to you too), and may or may not be in some stage of putting in 12 hours (or 6…see above) to get their Work Deposits back, or to maintain their Working CSA Member status which allows you to not pay the Work Deposit and only pay the $25 Administration Fee.
Without working at the CSA, our CSA is basically the same price (possibly a little cheaper..it’s been a while since I did the figures so I forget, but I think that’s the case) as the other major CSA in the Huntington area (Golden Earthworm), but if you work the 12 hours (or 6)…it’s a GREAT deal AND you get to make choices, which you don’t get in a pre-packaged box CSA share (which is what the other Huntington area CSAs are).

30 people haven’t put in the 2 hours requested (VERY grateful you have chosen to be CSA members, and still hope you’d consider contributing 2 hours of your time)

We still have 3 weeks left and could easily fit everyone in for the 2 hours…and even the 12 or 6 (and if we did, we might even be able to have an Exchange Table…take my word for this – it’s a cool thing…which we haven’t had in years).

And working at the CSA can actually be enjoyable and the time goes by because we ARE having fun, and is important to the functioning of the CSA.

We understand with life and work that time is limited, but it’s…

1.One shift of two hours within a six month period (or whatever the length of your CSA membership is depending on when you started)

2.And, it doesn’t have to be the CSA member listed who shows up to work. That would be great but if it can’t, anyone who’s over the age of 17 and can drive (there have to be some requirements/restrictions though no driving is required to work) can come and work at the CSA. So, anyone you know is fair game…family members, co-workers, friends. You can ask someone who might be interested in joining the CSA and have them work your shift and give them the food for that week. Just a thought.

3.Advantage of the Early Shift – first dibs on choices, advantage of the Late Shift – if there’s food left over…you can get extra goodies (the holiday season is upon us and that could come in handy), and if you share with someone and it’s not your week to pick up – that could be a good thing.


If your name is not on the list, emailed only (privacy concerns), it’s because you put in 2 hours (thanks!), but we hoped you would put in 12 hours (or 6 if you joined on Sept. 10th), and still could if you wanted. Just a thought! 

If you want to schedule time for this week, respond to this email and contact suzanne (or call the number below). If you want to schedule time for 12/3 or 12/10, contact our CSA Work Coordinator, Hayley Wiggins by email at hayley113@verizon.net .

Thanks!
suzanne
631-421-4864

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Week #24 Nov. 12, 2015 **PLEASE NOTE: Today only! A temporary location, at the same building, DIFFERENT ENTRANCE!!!**



Happy Autumn!

Quick mystery…did anyone find a light grey wool knit cap lined in fleece at the CSA last week? If so, it’s mine! Last had it while setting up the CSA…remember throwing it on a chair with my coat…and that’s the last I saw of it. Checked every bag, etc., that I had that day and came up with bupkis (nothing). If you have it, or any clues, let me know. I miss it! L Have another one in blue but I like that one better. Tried to find it online but the company that makes it requires verification to even look at the catalog (I’ve emailed them to see if they either will sell me a hat…if they even make this style anymore…or let me know who’s selling their stuff if it’s wholesale only).

This week the CSA is NOT IN THE SKY ROOM CAFÉ AT THE CINEMA ARTS CENTRE!!! If someone is picking up your food for you, please let them know. The CSA is the same time (3:30pm to 7:30pm), but we’re going to be in the Cafeteria at the Senior Center located in the same building as the Cinema Arts Centre BUT you need to go to a different entrance to get in. Park either along the first parking area you get to when driving in the driveway of the Cinema Arts Centre, OR the second parking area when you go to the left and enter a larger parking area (there’s an entry way there with an awning but that won’t get you where you need to go). You want to enter the building at the 2nd entry way down the initial driveway. There’s a small ramp there and sliding glass doors. Go thru the doors, make the first right down a hallway and then a quick right down another mall hallway/entryway to get in to the Cafeteria.

Since people are asking…
December 10th - last day of the CSA.
November 25th - Wednesday CSA pickup day for the week of Thanksgiving. It will start at 2:30pm (normal start time is 3:30pm), closing will still be at 7:30pm and call (see below) if you need to pick up later than 7:30pm (and if you can’t make it, and someone won’t be picking up for you, it would be nice if you let us know so we could possibly leave early).

CSA Weather Report…mild, windy, rain.

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 in the Cinema Arts Centre 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 J )…

1.We bag our own!
2. We don’t need your help this week but…
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4.Local food news
5.Notes from the Farm
6.Seafood lovers alert!!!
7.Events (things to do both near and far) – let’s start with these and see if the email universe will let me send them…
8.Foods that play better in your body when they’re with friends…
9. What you actually got last week
10. Do you live alone, or know someone who does (and we’re not just talking older folks)?
11.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! J 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 but…

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 J ).

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 J…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)! J Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

November 19, 2015
Week #25

1.Broccoli
2.Sweet Potatoes
3.Mibuna* (use Mizuna Veggie Info Sheet)
4.Garlic
5.Jerusalem Artichokes (aka Sunchokes)
6.Squash, Winter

Total Items: 6

*
Mibuna info (which the lazy gourmet in me mostly puts this raw in a salad)…
About…
Recipes…
Easy Stir fried…
Another easy Stir fried that also mentions using other CSA stuff like Radish Greens, Kale and Pak Choi…
Salad with Quinoa, Mibuna and a Lemon Pistachio Dressing (oh yum!)…
Quiche…
Million Japanese recipes for Mizuna/Mibuna…
and for the more ambitious…Mibuna Kimchi…



4.Local food news…

Tonight I saw that Panera (at least the one at the Walt Whitman Mall…or whatever they call it now J ) is now carrying Blueprint Juices! I think they’re organic. Looked quickly as I was on my way out after dinner. Will definitely be going back to check it out. The cost is $5 to $6, which is cheaper than the $10 I pay at Fairway BUT they’re also half the size (which is what I usually drink in one sitting anyway as juices are pretty high in sugar).



5.Notes from the Farm

Mid-November 2015

Our last delivery week will be the 2nd week of December, which is rapidly approaching. Fall is here, and summer crops are gone for another year, but we still have plenty of homegrown certified organic produce in our fields!

There are many types of Kales, Oriental Greens, Italian Greens, Beets, Carrots, Summer and Winter Radishes, Turnips and Rutabagas.  Lettuce is also making a return for our last few weeks of CSA deliveries. We still have lots of Sweet Potatoes and Winter Squashes in storage until we finish for the year. Jerusalem Artichokes, and some herbs will be brought in over the remaining weeks. There is SOME Broccoli, though the deer have begun eating it (along with most of our Cauliflowers and Romanesco Broccoli).  

Because of the summer drought, our Spinach got off to a late start and wouldn’t be ready until Spring of 2016…unless the geese eat it during the winter. But that’s the way farming goes!

Organically Yours,
Farmer Bill (Halsey)



6.Seafood lovers alert!!!

People dying from eating raw Oysters (50% fatality rate) but same bacteria (Vibrio) effects cheap Shrimp too (you get what you pay for L )…another effect from climate change…
Vibrio info…
More Vibrio info…

When eating local becomes deadly…California Dungeness Crabs now contain Domoic Acid (another bacteria caused by climate change that can lead to death) so local Dungeness Crab season has been closed down due to health concerns…



7.Events (things to do both near and far) – let’s start with these and see if the email universe will let me send them…

Sunday, November 22nd

1:30pm to 6:30pm

Healthy Planet’s 22nd Annual Turkey Free Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner and Lecture
Featured speaker is Joel Kahn, MD…America’s holistic heart doctor
Sustainability Institute at Molloy College
7180 Republic Airport
Farmingdale
$10 – Members/$15 – General Public (add $10 if not bringing dish to share)/under 12 - FREE
For more info and to make reservations:

You’re more than welcome to show up for part or all of this event. Some people skip the food and come just for the lecture. There will be a raffle (usually with GREAT prizes including restaurant outings) and one of the prizes is a gift basket from our farm, Green Thumb Farm!

1:30pm – Door open…live music and complementary soup course
3pm – Potluck begins
4:30pm – Lecture starts


Thursday, December 3rd

10am to 4pm

Deck the Halls Holiday House Tour & Luncheon…to benefit North Shore Holiday House Camp
$50 (tour only)/$85 (tour with lunch)
For more details and to purchase tickets…

CSA member Vickie Muller has gotten involved with this worthwhile local charity. Lunch is being provided by Honu Kitchen & Cocktails in Huntington Villlage, and there will be raffle tickets available and some of the prizes will be on view during lunch.


Tuesday, December 15th

7:30pm

Holiday Vegetarian Dinner to benefit Slow Food North Shore’s School Garden Program
Danyell’s Kitchen
225 Main St
Northport
$45 – Members/$50 – General Public
To make a reservation and for more information:
631-757-6700

Vegan and gluten-free options available. Cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, house wine & local craft beer, salad, choice of entrée, family style sides (potato/rice/veg), choice of dessert from Café Portofino.



8. Foods that play better in your body when they’re with friends…

Out of the 16 foods mentioned, our CSA provides us with half of them (when in season, and when available)…Black Beans, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens, Garlic, Kale, Red Bell Peppers, Tomatoes…



9.What you actually got last week

November 12, 2015
Week #24

1.Broccoli – 1 head - $3.00
2.Sweet Potatoes* - 2 lb bag - $4.75
3.Turnips: Golden Globe, Purple Top White – 2 lb bag - $4.50
4.Arugula – 1 bunch - $3.00
5.Radishes: French Breakfast OR Red – 1 bunch - $3.25

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $18.50
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $00.00 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 $21.95 total extra (that’s more than one extra CSA share’s worth of food that we didn’t pay for…yeah! J ).

Herb Share – Nov 1A
Cilantro AND Marjoram

*
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili…



10.Do you live alone, or know someone who does (and we’re not just talking older folks)?

Study shows those living alone not eating enough fruits, vegetables and fish, not eating a diverse enough diet, and relying more on ready-made meals…researches are concerned that it may impact health in a negative manner (ya think? J )…
Original study source…
Recipes for one…since cooking for one isn’t impossible and doesn’t have to be expensive or overly time-consuming…

Anyone living on their own deserves to eat well (for taste and for health). And being a CSA member is certainly one way of helping that happen! Since we have a matchmaking service…there’s no excuse just because someone feels a CSA share might be too much food just for them. We can help make a match to split the CSA share on a weekly or bi-weekly basis!



11.And now for something completely different…

This holiday season…maybe you want to try making a Cherpumple…or not…
One COULD even do this by making homemade/organic everything…or not!!! J

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