Winter CSA 2010-11

Hello all,

I can't believe that I'm writing to you announcing the winter CSA! Summer flew by, and this cool snap is only accelerating the flight. We are making some significant changes to the winter CSA this year, so please, read on even if you think you know what it's all about. The veggie list for this week's CSA is at the bottom of the page. Also, please remember, payment for the summer share is due in full by Columbus Day, October 12th.

Winter CSA 2010-11:

• This winter the share will be set up almost just like the summer csa is set up in the shed. There will be a "1 bag side" and an "itemized side". This means that members, as in the summer, can fill one grocery bag with anything they want from the "1 bag side". Most of the produce listed below will be on the 1 bag side. We will itemize some items, for example, greens, and garlic. So, to make the obvious point, there will be A LOT of flexibility in contents of the winter share. No more turnips for you if you don't like them. Lots of carrots, potatoes and onions for you if that's all you want. A little of everything? You got it. We hope that continuing with the 1 bag side will keep everyone as happy as possible!
• Distributions will be at the farm. We are moving a wood stove into the shed after the last summer pick up, so it will be heated during winter distributions. We'll have a good kid fence around the stove. The drive and parking lots will always be plowed for distribution.
• Distributions are every other week, and supply 2 weeks worth of food.
• We are creating more pick-up options. Distribution (in the cozy wood stove heated barn) is from 2-6 pm on the main distribution days. (see dates below) Can't make it? We'll box a share for you and you can pick it up from 9-5, Thurs, Fri, & Sat following the main day. This costs extra due to the extra work involved.
• There are 7 distributions and a share pays for 6, so choose the 6 dates that work best for you. We hope this accommodates your winter travel plans and a snow date. You may certainly come to all 7 distributions, it will just cost more.
• Main distribution days are: 12/1, 12/15, 12/29, 1/19, 2/2, 2/16 & 3/2
• A regular winter share (6 distributions, on the main days) costs $275. This price has stayed the same for 3 years now.
• A boxed winter share, 6 distributions, costs $310.
• A regular winter share, 7 distributions, costs $320
• A boxed winter share, 7 distributions, costs $361.66

Here's what will most likely be in the share:

potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, kale, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, leeks, beets, celeriac, turnips, radishes, rutabagas, winter squash, celery, and greens (spinach and braising greens) from the 3 passive solar greenhouses.

If you are going to join the winter CSA we'd really like to know soon. We spend most of October and November pulling in food from the fields and storing it in the cooler for the winter CSA. We do our best to estimate how many members will join for the winter, but hard facts make it much easier to decide how much to harvest and store. To make it easier for you to join early the winter deposit is only $40.Join soon and lessen the guesswork. Payments can be mailed or dropped off in the shed. Please include your email on your check when you join, even if I already have it.

Now I may as well wax poetic for a moment about all of the wonders of eating locally in the winter in Central NY. Marvellous! Far out! Revolutionary!

Thanks all, and see you around,

Evangeline

Veggie Forecast:

arugula, broccoli raab, pac choi - around for a while

potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, celery, fennel - around for a while

tomatoes, sweet peppers - almost gone

hot peppers - around for a while

chard - til frost

kale, collards, escarole, parsley - around for a while

U-pick:

paste and cherry tomatoes, basil, kale, chard, hot pepper, tomatillo, flowers, edemame, beans, and berries