Purple Dragon Update

A few important updates for this week:
1. Napa cabbages will need to be cut in half as they grew too big; farmer could only fit 8 in the boxes he bought for them. Please make sure there is a cutting board and knife and plastic wrap or bags for the dividers to use.
2. Snow peas have been replaced by sugar snap peas this week at the farmer's request.
3. Blueberries need to be ever-so-gently divided. We recommend wearing plastic or rubber gloves and packing them into yogurt containers or something somewhat firm to prevent squishing. Please do not use a scoop as they will definitely squish! You can very gently pour them, however. We buy bulk because we get 25% more this way for the same money.
4. Hepworth Farms is sending spinach as a gift, but not enough for all the groups. If you get spinach, please know that it is a gift from Hepworth Farms. If you don't, the next time a farmer or supplier does something generous like this, we will make sure that the groups that did not get it this time get whatever it might turn out to be the next time it happens.

Some people have been wondering when the local produce will start, or why we are not getting only local produce at this point. The local farms are just starting to harvest some items now, so we can't get more items than they have available! This week, we are getting blueberries, basil, Napa cabbage, red Russian kale, garlic scapes, lettuce, zucchini and sugar snap peas. That is all that is available from the new crop. So stick with us and you will enjoy a great variety of local, organic summer produce once it becomes available. We work with over 100 small area farmers.

The NJ blueberries are ready now, and more local fruits and vegetables will be coming soon. We are lucky to have a co-op that buys from many farm sources rather than from just one farm as some farmers are getting very low yields due to all the rain. People who are in groups buying from only one farmer who is having low yields will be getting almost nothing right now.We will get peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, apples and pears, and all kinds of greens, squash, tomatoes, corn, herbs, broccoli, caulflower, etc. as the season goes on.

Late in the fall, everything will be harvested and stored, such as apples, potatoes, hard squash, pears and onions, and we will continue to buy those local things as long as they are good. This is what we have done for over 20 years and we will continue to provide a great value in local and organic groceries all year round. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and see what new items arrive in your shares each week!