Happy Autumn!
CSA weather report…cool (low to mid 60s)
And while our weather is fine, the same can’t be said for
the people of south Florida. And if you personally want to do something to feed
people in need (besides not picking up your CSA Shares and having them donated
to Community Solidarity 😊), consider a
contribution to Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen. I KNOW they’re going to be
helping to feed those folks in southern Florida after Hurricane Ian does its
damage (as they’re already on the ground from Puerto Rico to Canada, and in
Pakistan, feeding those devastated by these recent unprecedented
storms/floods)…
https://donate.wck.org/give/417669/#!/donation/checkout
To learn more about this amazing organization…
CSA member (and Director of Development at the Cinema
Arts Centre) Rene Bouchard is celebrating her birthday by performing in a
concert on Friday, October 8th, (details in our CSA Events email)
and it’s FREE, so stop by if you’d like to join the party (and/or just to say
thanks for the wonderful work she does for the Cinema Arts Centre 😊).
Important…if you send anyone to the CSA to
pick up food for you, please tell them to BRING BAGS!
This email includes…
- What you need to know
- Food safety and
COVID-19…
- Our government to
possibly provide healthy meals for those in need either financially or
healthwise, and end hunger in America by 2030
- Emergency situations at
the CSA (hurricanes/electronic communication glitches/medical emergencies,
etc.)
- Don’t want to eat
plastic? Check your closet…
- What you actually got
last week
- And now, for something
completely different…
*Anything in any of our CSA emails not directly related to
the functioning of the CSA, feel free to take or leave at your discretion, and
anything related to health issues always consult with your physician(s) before
taking any action.
1.What you need to know (will be either new info to
first time CSA members, or reminders/old hat to returning CSA members)…
Most immediate helpful hints…
- Bring at least TWO bags to the CSA EVERY WEEK
for wet and dry food items (and never the twain should meet)
- When packing up your CSA food, start at the left side
of the long table and work your way to the right and out the garden door.
Why? We set out the food to be packed in that order so the heaviest food
items will be on the bottom of your bag, and your food won’t get squished
(another way to make your food go bad faster), and if you separate the wet
from the dry foods you’re doing pretty good on having your food last
longer! 😊
- When you get your food home, if it’s in a plastic bag
take it OUT of the plastic bag and store elsewhere…even if it’s in another
plastic bag (the original bag will be too wet and your food won’t be happy
there for long)
- Plan on using your food in the order of how long it
will reasonably stay fresh (if stored properly). Any questions regarding
what this would be…ask. 😊
Before you leave the house…BRING BAGS
to pack up your food (CSA members are responsible for packing up their own
shares) – canvas/plastic/paper…bring whatever suits your fancy. The CSA does
NOT provide bags for CSA members.
Time – 3:30pm to 7:30pm
Place – Sky Room Café in the Cinema Arts
Centre at 423 Park Ave, Huntington
Parking – park in the all the way around at
the back of the building by the day care center (you’ll see a fenced in playground
area with a sandbox)
When you arrive at the CSA –
- Check in at the desk with our friendly CSA worker
- Read the CSA Wall Chart that tells us every
week what we’re getting, how much we’re getting, and what the farm charged
us for it…some weeks it’s take one of everything but SOME WEEKS IT’S
NOT!!! So you have to make sure you read the Wall Chart every week, and
not assume anything. You can also ask your fellow CSA members that are
working that day what the story is for the day (they should have name tags
on).
Before you leave the CSA – Make sure you have
everything on the list (like the story of the 3 bears…not too much, not too
little, but just right 😊)! If you get to talking
with people, have kids with you, etc., it can be easy to be distracted and if
you get home and find out you don’t have everything that was on the list,
you’re out of luck because at 7:31pm the food is donated to a local food
organization that’s waiting to pick it up and get on their way.
CSA words to live by…when trying any new food you’ve
never eaten before…START SLOW!!! Read up about it (make sure it doesn’t
interfere with any medications you might be taking or any health conditions you
might have), see what traditional/conventional ways it’s prepared (cultures
that have been eating certain foods for many years basically have a good idea
what they’re doing, and we can learn from that), try a small portion, see how
your body/digestive system reacts, and proceed from there. Then try preparing
in different ways and see what you come up with, and feel free to ask for
suggestion/info/recommendations!
Paraphrased wise words by a nutritionist that I read (and
don’t remember where I read it or who said it), BUT it’s pretty smart info
regarding eating seasonally in our part of the globe…
Spring… is all about detoxing (what we get
from the CSA at this time is a lot of green things that are really good to help
clean us out from whatever we accumulated during the winter)
Interesting piece about spring greens (out of the 14 listed,
we get 12 of them with our CSA…watercress nutritionally and botanically similar
to Curly Cress/Peppercress) and detoxing…
http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2012/03/detox-with-spring-greens.html
Summer is all about being hydrated (the
popular summer foods are all full of water…Tomatoes, Lettuces, Summer Squashes,
etc.)
Fall/winter is all about storing energy (we
get all the dense vegetables…Sweet Potatoes, Winter Squashes, etc…. that are
energy powerhouses to fuel us through the winter) to get you through the winter
to make it to…Spring!
Week #18
September 29, 2022
- Squash, Winter: Delicata – 1 pc.
- Leeks – 1 bunch
- Squash, Summer – check the CSA Wall Chart
- Beans, Snap – 1 bag
- Peppers, Sweet – check the CSA Wall Chart
- Lettuce – 1 head
- Tomatoes, Mini – 1 pt.
Total Items: 7
2.Food safety and COVID-19…
Watch writer J. Kenji Lopez-Alt (son of a Harvard University
geneticist and immunologist, grandson of a chemist, and author of Food Lab:
Better Home Cooking Through Science), talk about COVID-19 and food safety…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkvw9lZ3v3I
And read in more detail here…
After keeping the CSA going thru 2020 and 2021 (with
everyone staying healthy using the simple practices of wearing face coverings,
hand washing, and social distancing), this is where we are now at this moment
in time…
- Face coverings are optional
- Hand washing upon entering the theater is STRONGLY
recommended (it’s always a good idea in preventing COVID as well as the
flu and colds)
Why COVID HATES soap (works better than hand sanitizer or gloves),
and we’re talking plain soap, NOT antibacterial soap (the use of which causes
antibiotic resistance which could kill us all ☹)…
https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-does-handwashing-with-soap-kill-the-coronavirus/
- We will try and keep the CSA area relatively uncrowded
- Enter near the Box Office entrance, and exit thru the
door that leads out to the Cinema garden and upper parking lot stairs
3.Our government to possibly provide healthy meals for
those in need either financially or healthwise, and end hunger in America by
2030
Of course, what’s defined as “healthy” is a whole other ball
of wax, and I hope our government has good advisors and doesn’t totally mess up
what could be a really good thing (but something will still probably be better
than nothing)…
I think this is a very doable goal as the longtime
organization dealing with world hunger issues, Oxfam, has been saying for YEARS
that there’s enough food RIGHT NOW on the planet to feed every single person
BUT it’s a matter of distribution, economics, and the political will to get it
done…
https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/world-food-day-there-enough-food-grown-world-everyone-op-ed
4.Emergency situations at the CSA (hurricanes/electronic
communication glitches/medical emergencies, etc.)
- It’s hurricane season till November 30th
(our CSA’s last day is December 8th)! Farmers are more hardcore
than postal workers so your food will be at the CSA between 3:30pm and
7:30pm on Thursdays, pretty much no matter what. Hurricane Sandy didn’t
stop our CSA. We were at the Unitarian Fellowship in Huntington, and there
was no power and there were tree limbs around the property BUT I checked
out the building to make sure there was no danger being in the building or
entering the property, and with flashlights brought by me, we had our CSA.
If there’s no emails…show up anyway. If there’s some problem/issue with
the food arriving there should be a note on the door of the Cinema letting
you know what’s up (if we’re not already in there waiting for you). In a
storm situation please bring a flashlight/lantern as it could be helpful
for you and those of us at the CSA. Again…show up, and at 3:30pm and
5:30pm if there were no emails please offer to work if you’re able and
available. If you feel it’s not safe/wise for you to venture out, know
that any food left at the end of the CSA will be picked up and donated to
the gang at Community Solidarity. They have NEVER missed a food
distribution day even in snow and ice storms (regardless of the
weather…hungry people will still be hungry if there’s no food to eat).
- Electronic communication is FAR from perfect. IF you
get no CSA emails or responses to your emails on any given week…come to
the CSA anyway. It could be a problem with my laptop, etc. Stuff happens.
- Anything else that might come up (these days…who
knows???)…no emails, etc., come anyway and will do our best to keep
everyone informed as best we can (look for notes on front door of Cinema
if nothing else). The CSA has always happened every week during our 20+
seasons…(lifted from the postal worker motto) - Neither snow nor rain nor
heat nor gloom stays these farmers & CSA crew from the swift
completion of their appointed rounds…to get you your CSA Shares! 😊
- If there’s an emergency
situation in progress, consider offering to help out at the CSA whether
you’re asked to or not.
5.Don’t want to eat plastic? Check your closet…
Bart Simpson’s famous phrase “Eat my shorts” has a new
meaning these days…
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-home/microfibers-do-to-humans-pollution-synthetic/
This article goes into the issue a little more and discusses
more solutions in the works. At this point EVERY washing machine should ALREADY
have a filter that can stop this stuff from escaping into the environment…and
into our stomachs!
Eat organic…live organic! 😊
6.What you actually got last week
Week #17
September 22, 2022
- Squash, Winter: Spaghetti* – 1 pc. - $3.00
- Beets: Chiogga OR Red – 1 bunch - $5.00
- Eggplant – 1 pc. - $2.00
- Squash, Summer (2 pc.): Costata
Romanesco/Gold/Kousa/Patty Pan/Yellow/Zucchini OR Bitter Melon (1 pc.)* –
$1.00
- Peppers, Sweet: Green AND Purple – 1 of each color -
$1.50
- Radicchio: Traviso – 1 head - $4.75
- Tomatoes: Red Paste/Plum/Roma (all the same thing) – 2
lbs. - $6.25
*See separate Bitter Melon email for more info
Total Items: 7
Total Amount: $23.50
We pay $20 per week for our CSA share…some weeks we get a
bit more, some a bit less. This week, it was $3.50 over $20.00. Doesn’t sound
like a whole lot, but it adds up over the course of the CSA season (so far the
total is up to $39.00 over what we paid). We seem to always get at least one
CSA share’s worth of food every year that we didn’t pay for (which we got 😊)…some
years two, and last year it was almost four weeks worth extra so we’re talking
almost $80 worth of food we got gratis…it’s all good! 😊
Flowers – Week #10 - THE END!
Statice (everlasts)
Herb Share – September – 2B
Dill AND Tarragon
*Tips for cutting up Winter Squashes…
https://www.cuisineathome.com/tips/easy-slicing/
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_peel_and_cut_a_butternut_squash/
And am loving this gal’s take on making large Winter
Squashes end up in manageable pieces 😊 (personally, I’d need
to use a clean covering of some sort so the pieces wouldn’t get yucky during
this process 😊)…
https://wholefedhomestead.com/how-to-roast-any-whole-squash-including-a-no-cut-method/
OR, how to cook the whole thing without any cutting or
peeling…
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/easiest-whole-roasted-winter-squash
https://cookeatpaleo.com/how-to-roast-a-whole-squash-or-pumpkin/
7.And now, for
something completely different…
Not crazy for Kale? Ask if your mother ate any while she was
pregnant with you! If not, that might be why (there was no opportunities to get
used to more bitter tastes)…
https://neurosciencenews.com/fetal-taste-smell-21480/
Saturday, October 1st
1:30pm to 4:30pm
Wildman Steve Brill
Belmont Lake State Park
625 Belmont Ave.
West Babylon
Adults - $20/Under 12 years old - $10
For more info and to register…
https://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/tour-calendar
Or call 914-835-2153
If you’ve never gone, do you self a favor and check this
out. A great event for the whole family. If you’ve gone before, you know Steve
is the biggest cornball on the planet 😊 but he’s BRILLIANT when
it comes to knowing his foraged foods. A goal I have is to take at least four
of his tours in one year for each of the seasons. If I get to one this year
I’ll be thrilled. 😊 And if you’re
going…read all his directions and follow all his recommendations! You’ll be
glad you did. 😊
Sunday, October 2nd
7:30am to 12pm
Huntington Village Farmers Market
228 Main St.
Huntington
From now till November.
Tuesday, October 4th
10am to 11am
Green Street Radio
WBAI-FM/99.5FM
To listen live or check out the archives…
https://www.wbai.org/program.php?program=365
Join Long Islanders Doug & Patti Wood (founders of the
Port Washington Farmer’s Market…the only all organic greenmarket in New York
State), in their weekly show featuring conversations on health and sustainable
living.
7pm – Volunteers
8:15pm – Drive-thru distribution
Huntington Food Share
Community Solidarity
Fairground Ave. & 6th St.
Huntington Station
FREE
For more info…
https://communitysolidarity.org/foodshares/huntington
To volunteer…
https://communitysolidarity.org/volunteer
Or to make a donation (they REALLY need a new truck)…
https://communitysolidarity.org/donate/funds
Community Solidarity (formerly Long Island Food Not Bombs)
is an amazing group, doing much needed good works. These are the folks our CSA
donates food to (and have for the last several years). If you’d like to
volunteer, make a donation (they REALLY, REALLY need a new truck), or have need
of their services (or know people who might)…get in touch/get information via
their website (listed above).
They also need/accept donations of the following…Bicycles,
Books, Clothing, Flowers (good for general mental health…taking care of the
mind AND the body), Food, Medical Care (is there a Doctor or Dentist in the
house? 😊), Plants/Seedlings, School Supplies, Toys
and more. For details on donating items, please go to the Home Page, scroll to
Donate, and read the appropriate listing (and scroll to Material Goods to see
the topics not initially listed)…
https://communitysolidarity.org/
Here’s founder Jon Stepanian’s TED Talk (TEDxNYU) on
Community Solidarity and Hunger Relief…
https://www.ted.com/talks/jon_stepanian_community_solidarity_hunger_relief
Friday, October 7th
8pm
TAPE (name of band) – Live music
in the Sky Room!
Cinema Arts Centre
Sky Room Cafe
423 Park Ave
Huntington
FREE
For more info…
Join TAPE featuring CSA Member
(and Director of Development at the Cinema Arts Centre) Rene Bouchard and Cliff
Ferdon with possible special guest(s). They will perform originals and select
songs from Rene's
covers project, including interpretations of songs from Gorillaz,
The Strokes, and Britney Spears! This free show is open to the public and is
also Rene's birthday party. Wine and beer available for sale. All are welcome!
Saturday, October 8th
10am to 3pm
ELIJA Farm 2022 Fall Festival
43 Foxhurst Rd.
South Huntington
General Admission: $15 (from 2 years old up)/FREE – 2 years
old and younger/up to $2,500 (sponsor)
For more info and to buy tickets:
https://shop-elijafarm.square.site/events
To learn more about ELIJA Farm…
https://www.elijafarm.org/about/our-story
Live music & entertainment, vendors, local artists,
farmers market, hay rides, storytelling, bounce castle, and food/drinks.
Saturday, October 15th
10am/11am/12pm (times to be confirmed closer to event)
Green Thumb Farm CSA Pumpkin Picking Farm Tour
Green Thumb Farm
829 Montauk Hwy.
Water Mill
FREE (to current CSA Members and their immediate family
members)
RSVP (watch for details closer to this event)
Pick your tour time, and let’s go! 😊This
is one of the two times we CSA Members get invited to tour our farm and get to
take something home to eat…for FREE! 😊 This is a tractor
pulled wagon farm tour for CSA members and immediate family only! Rain or shine
(unless we’re talking torrential rain/thunder storms).
There will be a 10% discount to all CSA Members who take the
tour on all purchases made at the Green Thumb Farm farm stand after your tour.
Sweet! 😊
Dress appropriately for walking on dirt roads and in the
fields (sandals/high heels not recommended), and for being in the sun during
peak sun exposure hours (sunglasses/hat/sunscreen, etc.). I’ve never gotten
ticks on one of these tours yet, but I’d do a thorough tick check once you got
back home (they have a roving band of marauding Guinea Hens that take care of
eating most of them I believe 😊).
Planning on going to lunch after the last tour at Barrow
Food House in Riverhead (farm-to-table and reasonably priced for the area), and
everyone’s invited (they have indoor and outdoor dining options).
Sunday, October 16th to Wednesday, October
19th
Regenerative Healthcare Conference
Rodale Institute
Kutztown, PA
$2,500 (there’s only 50 spots left and there MAY be
scholarships available but not sure if it’s too late to apply or not)
For more info and to register…
https://rodaleinstitute.org/Regenerative-Healthcare-Conference/
This is an invitation to doctors, nurses, medical students,
nutritionists, health coaches and anyone in the healthcare field, to attend the
first conference of its kind, and first in the world, to connect soil health,
farming and health, bridging the disconnect between farming practices and
health. Some of the speakers that I’m familiar with are Dr. Mark Hyman
(functional medicine MD), and Dr. T. Colin Campbell (vegan superstar known for
his China Study). You will get your hands dirty! 😊
Sunday, October 16th
1pm to 4pm
Wildman Steve Brill
Sunken Meadow State Park
Rt. 908K
Kings Park
Adults - $20/Under 12 years old - $10
For more info and to register…
https://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/tour-calendar
Or call 914-835-2153
If you’ve never gone, do you self a favor and check this
out. A great event for the whole family. If you’ve gone before, you know Steve
is the biggest cornball on the planet 😊 but he’s BRILLIANT when
it comes to knowing his foraged foods. A goal I have is to take at least four
of his tours in one year for each of the seasons. If I get to one this year
I’ll be thrilled. 😊 And if you’re
going…read all his directions and follow all his recommendations! You’ll be
glad you did. 😊
Saturday, October 29th
9am to 1pm
Fig Sale & Swap
Restoration Farm
140 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Rd.
Old Bethpage
FREE
Have gig cuttings to sell or swap? Want to try growing Figs
in your yard/garden? Then this is the event for you!
Sunday, November 6th
11:30am to 2:30pm
Wildman Steve Brill
Belmont Lake State Park
625 Belmont Ave.
West Babylon
Adults - $20/Under 12 years old - $10
For more info and to register…
https://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/tour-calendar
Or call 914-835-2153
If you’ve never gone, do you self a favor and check this
out. A great event for the whole family. If you’ve gone before, you know Steve
is the biggest cornball on the planet 😊 but he’s BRILLIANT when
it comes to knowing his foraged foods. A goal I have is to take at least four
of his tours in one year for each of the seasons. If I get to one this year
I’ll be thrilled. 😊 And if you’re
going…read all his directions and follow all his recommendations! You’ll be
glad you did. 😊
Saturday, November 19th
12:30pm to 3:30pm
Wildman Steve Brill
Sunken Meadow State Park
Rt. 908K
Kings Park
Adults - $20/Under 12 years old - $10
For more info and to register…
https://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/tour-calendar
Or call 914-835-2153
If you’ve never gone, do you self a favor and check this
out. A great event for the whole family. If you’ve gone before, you know Steve
is the biggest cornball on the planet 😊 but he’s BRILLIANT when
it comes to knowing his foraged foods. A goal I have is to take at least four
of his tours in one year for each of the seasons. If I get to one this year
I’ll be thrilled. 😊 And if you’re
going…read all his directions and follow all his recommendations! You’ll be
glad you did. 😊
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