Happy Summer!
CSA Weather report…81 and sunny (don’t leave your CSA share
in the car…it will be very unhappy because it’s still WAY too hot in there)!
Keep in mind…any time you try a food you’ve never
eaten before…
1.
Do some reading about what it is, and find out
if there are medical contraindications if you’re on medication or have health
issues
2.
Eat a single serving size and give it 24 hours
to see how your body reacts (some might be fine, a lot might not)
3.
When in doubt how to cook something, look to the
countries that have been using it for decades/centuries, and see what they do
and don’t do
4.
Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask
What happens if you don’t get any CSA emails and
Thursday rolls around and it’s time to go to the CSA? GO ANYWAY! There
have been times over the years when various things have prevented a CSA email
from being sent…computers, storms, health emergencies, etc. However, the thing
to do is to come to the Cinema and in all probability, your CSA share will be
there (unless there’s weather that’s so treacherous travel would be extremely
ill-advised and even then, the farm will show up and drive from Water Mill to
Huntington before some CSA members would drive from Huntington…to Huntington).
And if not (which I doubt…there was only one snowstorm where the farm showed up
on Friday instead of Thursday because no one could drive anywhere), there would
be a sign on the door saying something, or you could call me (though with
Hurricane Sandy, even my land line was down because of the Verizon battery it’s
hooked up to….grrrrrrr…I need to get that detached so I can get phone calls
during those times when the power goes out).
Parking suggestion…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 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!
If you are going to show up at the CSA later than
7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (can be
different every week but 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 (do NOT leave a
message to be given to the CSA because there have been occasions where we
didn’t get the message and someone showed up to get their food and was not
happy their food wasn’t there) 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.
If you’re sharing a CSA share with someone…it’s
possible they’re not on this email list yet (if not email me their full name
and email address…or have them do it), so check with them and then forward this
if they didn’t get it (and always check the junk/spam folder).
Keep in mind that anything you read in this email (unless
it’s directly related to the functioning and operation of the CSA) is
subjective and like they say in the 12 step world…take what you like and leave
the rest!
This week’s email includes…
1. The
CSA doesn’t need you this week (but we will soon enough J )
2. CSA
101 – Bring Bags!!!
3. We
started weighing our produce last week…not rocket science but there are things
to be mindful of!
4. Help
change the world with a click…
5. The
List- subject to change without notice because…farming is like that!
6. Foods
you might be surprised to learn will dehydrate you!
7. Ten
REALLY good reasons to be eating organic…
8. Donald
and food…
9. Event
Listings…both near and far
10. It’s
not all bad news!
11. What
you actually got last week
12. And
now for something completely different
1.The CSA doesn’t need you this week (but we will soon
enough)
We’re talking about working at the CSA.
We have the help we need for this week. Whoo-hoo!
If you didn’t already get an email from Rene 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.
HOWEVER, 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).
2.CSA 101…Bring Bags!
CSA basic, for this CSA anyway, is that you need to
bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now
till December 8th!
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.
And if you send someone to pick up your CSA share for
you, you need to tell them to…BRING BAGS!
3.We started weighing our produce last week…not rocket
science but there are things to be mindful of!
It’s time to weigh our food!
A.
Please be aware that it may take a little more
time for you to collect your CSA share when weighing is part of the experience
so plan accordingly.
B.
Check the CSA Wall Chart that our farmer brings
in every week before taking any food so you know what you’re taking and how
much to take…assume nothing and please feel free to ask questions! J
C.
Bring your reading glasses or ask someone to
help if you can’t see the numbers on the scale clearly.
D.
PLEASE DO NOT GO OVER THE AMOUNT STATED on
the Wall Chart.
Please err on the under side of the weight posted…NEVER
over. It may not seem like much to you, but we have 56 CSA members this week,
and if every person is over by ONE OUNCE (for crying out loud! It’s only an
ounce!!!) …that means we’ll be short over 4 1/2 POUNDS of produce and 5 CSA
members (and one of them could be you) won’t get the food they paid for.
E.
IF you are asked to weigh more than one food
item at the same time (and you probably will at some point in the CSA
season)…please follow the directions given to you, and weigh in the order you
are asked (you might not think there’s any good reason to be doing this but our
farmer does, and that should be enough of a reason right there but if you want
a further explanation – ask someone working at the CSA or contact suzanne…there
is always a method to the madness)
4.Help change the world with a click…
Fix our country’s aging water infrastructure. We all need
clean water to drink!
5.The List - subject to change without notice
because…farming is like that!
August 4, 2016
Week #10
1.Lettuce – 1 head
2.Beets – 1 bunch
3.Peppers: Green AND Purple – 2 Green AND 1 Purple
4.Tomatoes – 2 lbs
5.Squash, Summer – 2 lbs
Total Items: 5
Flower Share – maybe, maybe not!
6.Foods you might be surprised to learn will dehydrate
you!
Even though it’s cooled down, it’s still summer and there
may be hotter days ahead (Indian summer anyone?)…
Our CSA provides us with Asparagus and Parsley but Asparagus
season is over (we didn’t get any this year at the CSA due to an
oversight…darn! L …next year I’ll
try and make sure we do), and as long as you don’t eat massive quantities of
Parsley (which one shouldn’t do anyway…all things in moderation), you should be
ok!
7.Ten REALLY good reasons to be eating organic…
and also to be living a non-toxic lifestyle…
If you can’t do it all…do the best you can. Every little bit
is a good thing.
8.The Donald and food…
In addition to eating his chain franchise Pizza stacked and
using a knife and fork, he also eats Steaks well done, and KFC fried Chicken
with a knife and fork…
These food selections don’t bode well for a healthy food
national policy.
As well as loving fast food, fast food loves him back! KFC,
Taco Bell and Pizza Hut are all big contributors…
All teasing aside, now for the serious stuff…not sure who’s
worse…this guy or who Hillary might have in mind…
9.Event Listings…both near and far
Sunday, August 7th
10:15am to 2pm
Hazon Tribe Ride
Meet up at the Stony Brook train station
FREE
To register and for more info:
This is a 22 to 30 mile bike ride with the group Hazon. It’s
the Jewish version of Slow Food and a great group. MUST wear a helmet, bring
own snacks and water. This is a training ride for their 3 day ride and retreat
which is a kosher farm-to-table event in the Berkshires but I’m sure all are
welcome.
Monday, August 8th to Monday, August 15th
The Sleep Success Summit (online)
FREE
To register:
Featured speakers include – David Wolfe (Nutribullet anyone?
J ), Michale Breus (sleep expert),
Arianna Huffington (newly obsessed with sleep), Alan Greene, MD (pediatrician),
Donna Gates
Friday, August 12th to Sunday, August 14th
NOFA Summer Conference
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
For more info and to register (early bird prices till July
15):
NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association) is the group
that’s been certifying farms organic since the time before the USDA got
involved. They rock. We have a NY chapter that you can join…
There are 2 conferences every year. In the winter, each NOFA
member state (NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT) has their own winter conference (the
one that farmers can attend because…they’re not working). In the summer,
everybody from all the member states gets together for the summer conference
and about 1,000 to 2,000 people that are interested in health, organic farming
and gardening, healthy living and healthy eating get together for a WHOLE lot
of workshops, movies and parties, and cafeteria style eating of organic/local
foods that would accommodate most any dietary needs (gluten free, vegan, paleo,
raw). It’s great for families (they have workshops for kids from 5 to 12, and
13 to 17…and they have childcare available for ages 2 to 4), singles, seniors,
and just about anybody. If you go, a good time will be had by all! Feel free to
ask me any questions as have been to the summer and winter conferences, and CSA
member Vickie Muller has gone to the NOFA Summer Conference with her daughter
for a few years too.
This year’s keynote speakers…
Tuesday, August 16th
5:30pm
Vegan Thai Garden to Table Cooking Class with Chef Bhavani
Old Westbury
$89
For more info and to purchase ticket…
Sunday, August 28th
5pm to 8pm
Al Golberg’s 3rd Annual Clam Back and Potluck
Snail Supper
21 Three Mile Harbor Drive
East Hampton
$50 members of Slow Food/$60 General Public
To register and for more info…
Menu is raw Oysters, Fishcakes with Remoulade, Octopus bites
with White Bean puree, Clams with Chorizo/Tomato/Onion/Fennel, and Cheesecake
with Berry jam topping. It’s a potluck so you’ll be required to bring something
(check the website for details). This event sells out FAST as it’s limited to
50 people! It’s a benefit for Slow Food East End.
Saturday, November 12th
12pm to 5pm (optional health screening starts at 8am)
Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Breast Cancer Seminar
Hunterdon Central High School
84 Rt 31
Flemington, NJ
$59.95 (plus $29.95 if interested in optional non-invasive
health screening)
To register and for more info…
Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s slant is vegan and calls his
diet…nutritarian. Author of the book, Eat to Live, and many others.
10.It’s not all bad news!
Zika is NOT in our backyards so not to worry!
At least that’s one thing to check off the list. J
11.What you actually got last week (not always what was
in the email the week before because farming is like that regarding occasional
last minute changes)
July 28, 2016
Week #9
1.Lettuce: Leaf, Red – 1 head - $3.00
2.Mustard Greens - 1 bunch - $3.50
3.Cabbage: Red – 1 head - $3.00
4.Tomatoes, Mini: Grape, Yellow – 1 pt - $5.50
5.Beans, Snap: Green – 1/2 lb. bag - $1.75
6.Cucumbers – up to 1 lb. – weighed together with…
7.Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Eight Ball, Golden,
Kousa, Yellow, Zucchini – up to 1 lb. (up to 2 lbs. total with Cucumbers) -
$3.50
Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $20.25
(since we pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share, this week
we got $1.75 more than we paid, SO that means at the moment, our farmer has
given us $9.50 more than we paid for up to this point. Over the course of the
CSA year…and over the years…we have gotten at least one, and sometimes up to
two, share’s worth of food that we didn’t pay for…so keep reading this and see
how it plays out from week to week)
Flower Share – Week #6
Statice (everlast)
Herb Share – July 2A
Dill AND Basil, Lemon
12.And now for something completely different
Leave it to the English to turn a bar/pub into a big
pseudo-Faraday cage so customers have to talk to each other and can’t use their
electronic devices…
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