Farm Message for Saturday, April 3, 2010

Star Hollow Farm News

For the week preceding Saturday, April 3, 2010

Hi folks,

First of all, I think I should thank all of you for helping us get through another winter. As for the every-other-week schedule, I don't think I could have taken many more stressful driving trips to and from DC due to weather. Most of you eventually got onto track with the schedule, and it certainly gave us a little break from the routine. Thank you!

We do have some new CSA members joining us, folks that ordered online as COD members during the winter. Welcome to you all! (But please remember, no COD orders now except for long-standing customers in that category!) We will have our hands full with the farmers market, and don't want to add complications.

Schedule: We're starting a new season this week, with our outdoor farmers market opening in Adams Morgan at 9 AM this Saturday. That means several things will change at the truck in Adams Morgan. First, you will be able to pick up your orders beginning at 9 AM instead of the 10 AM that it is during winter. Second is that CSA volunteers will be handing out the CSA boxes at the truck instead of me! This is your chance to meet other people in the CSA and have a reason to hang out at 18th and Columbia for awhile (in the daylight!). Please consider volunteering for a two hour shift. A calendar for sign-ups is at the truck-- ask a volunteer!

Produce in general: We are right on that cusp between the end of the winter storage crop season and the start of a new year. Before you get all excited and think strawberries will be in the store, realize that it's still very early in the season, and the things that are making their annual return are either the very first perennials or items that have been wintered over in the greenhouse. Nothing is planted outside yet, and zucchini and corn are still a good while off. That said, it's a pretty nice list for the beginning of April. Ten years ago, before the emphasis on storage crops and greenhouse production began, we wouldn't have even felt it was possible to do a market at this time of year!

Apples are just about all done. There were only a small number in the store to begin with, so don't be surprised if you come in later and the page is blank!

The list: (New or Back on the list items in red.)

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Greens: arugula, Asian greens mix, braising greens mix, cabbage, chard, claytonia, catalogna dandelion, mesclun, microgreens, lettuce (bibb, green leaf, red leaf, Romaine), pea shoots, spinach.
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Veggies: beets (red and mixed), mixed carrots, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, parsnips, dried cayenne peppers, potatoes, oyster root, scallions, Yellow shallots, turnips, butternut squash.
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Herbs: basil, chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme.
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Mushrooms: crimini, oyster, portabella, shiitake, white.
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Apples: Fuji, Pink Lady, Red Delicious.
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Other items: eggs (no free range this week), butter, cheeses and preserves. Back on the list are pickles and chow chow.



CSA-Specific Information

CSA volunteer sign-ups beginning: We will have a calendar at the truck from now on for folks to sign up for a two hour shift handing out CSA boxes at the truck. The shifts are 9 to 11 and 11 to 1. All CSA members are asked to do one shift per year: some happily sign up for several shifts and a some act like they have never heard of such a thing. Please consider it! Bring your own calendar so you can figure out a date that will work for you.

Planned CSA produce for this week:

This week's box includes an Asian greens mix, miners lettuce (Claytonia), heads of bibb and Romaine lettuce, mixed carrots, parsnips and onions, fingerling potatoes, and three apples (Golden, Granny and a small Honey Crisp).


Thanks for your support!

Randy, Chris and all at Star Hollow Farm

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