What's Coming on Saturday 10/17/09

We expect organic PA red thumb fingerling potatoes, acorn squash, NY Swiss Chard, cilantro, red leaf lettuce, yellow onions, poblano peppers, tomatillos, cherry tomatoes, ecologically grown Devoe pears, Empire apples, a Floria Booth Avacado, California carrots, plums, peruvian bananas.

Fruit share: red grapes, a pomegranate, a pineapple, and spartan apples

What's Coming on Wednesday, 10/13/09

We are expecting to get: PA Edamame, Red Thumb Fingerlin potatoes and Acorn Squash, Swiss Chard, Red Leaft Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Ecologically grown Devoe Pears (great with Cheddar Cheese - this variety was developed by the farmer's uncle), empire apples, Georgia green beans, yellow squash, a Florida Booth avocado, California carrots and plums, Peruvian bananas, Grapefruit or Poblano peppers.

Fruit share: red grapes, a pomegranate, a pineapple, and Spartan apples

What's Coming on Saturday 10/03/09

We expect organic PA lacinata kale and white mushrooms, NY butternut squash, green onions, romain lettuce, zucchini or yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, ecologically grown Gala apples, and IPM Concord grapes (indigenous to our region), California broccoli (not enough local yet), cantaloupe, carrots and garlic and Peruvian Bananas.

Fruit Share: Green grapes, grapefuit, black plums and Valencia oranges.

What's Coming on Wednesday 09/30/09

We expect organic PA Lacinata Kale and White Mushrooms, NY Butternut Squash, green onions, romaine lettuce, zucchini OR yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, ecologically grown Gala Apples and IPM Concord Grapes (indigenous to our region). California Broccoli (not enough local yet), cantaloupe, carrots, and garlic, and Peruvian Bananas.

Fruit Share: Green grapes, grapefruit, black plums and Valencia oranges.

What's Coming on Saturday 9/19/09

We expect organic PA Sweet potatoes (with some blemishes and odd shapes - very good last year), NY Beets with greens, celery, collard greens, escarole (a bitter green good in salad, or sauteed with garlic), fennel, leeks, butter lettuce, parsley, tomatoes, Ecologiclaly grown McIntosh Apples and Bartlett Pears (both with little holes caused when hail hit them), and IPM corn, California carrots, pluots, and Peruvian bananas.

Fruit Shares: A honeydew melon, a Keitt mango, red seedless grapes and a pineapple

What's Coming on Wednesday 9/16/09

We expect PA Sweet Potatoes (with blemishes and odd shapes - last year they were so good!), NY beets with greens, celergy, collard greens, escarole (a bitter green good in salad, or sauteed with garlic), fennel, leeks, butter lettuce, parsley, tomatoes, Ecologically grown McIntosh apples, and Bartlett pears (both will have little holes where the hail hit them), and IPM corn, California carrots, pluots, and Peruvian Bananas.

Fruit Shares: a honeydew melon, a Keitt mango, red seedless grapes and a pineapple.

What's Coming on Wednesday 09/02/09

We expect NY basil, Swiss chard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, red leaf lettuce, yellow onions, green or frying peppers (not hot), red potatoes, Carolina gold and Juliette plum tomatoes, ecologically grown Ginger Gold apples, nectarines & peaches, IPM corn, California carrots, and peruvian bananas.

Fruit shares: Bartlett pears, black mission figs, strawberries and a cantaloupe.

What's Coming on Saturday 08/01/09

Check out the post for Wednesday 07/29/09 - it appears that both my groups are going to get the same items this week.

Thanks and enjoy!
Paula

What's Coming on Wednesday 07/29/09

NJ blueberries, NY arugula, NJ Collard Greens, NJ Cucumbers, NJ Garlic, NJ Green Onions, NJ Red leaf lettuce, NJ Zucchini Squash, NJ IPM Corn (very difficult and expensive to grow corn organically and if often ends up with worms, this excellent grower uses alternate methods and is a neighbor of one of our organic farmers who recommended them to us), NJ Ecologically grown peaches, Maryland grape tomatoes, California Cantaloupe, California Carrots, California Cherries, California Plums and Peruvian Bananas.

FRUIT SHARE: Pluots, Valencia oranges, blueberries and a pineapple.

Food will be available after 9am.

Purple Dragon Update - Wed & Sat Groups

This is a quick note to let you know about a couple of things....

Remember that in August PD is closed for a week and that causes the dates to slide. Here are the actual pick up dates for the Wed and Sat groups - please mark your calendars!

WEDNESDAY:
July 29
August 12
September 2, 16, 30
October 14, 28
November 11 & 24 (This is a Tuesday, not a Wednesday)
December 9 & 23

SATURDAY
August 1 & 15
September 5 & 19
October 3, 17 & 31
November 15 & 28
December 12 & 26

For those long stretches you can order additional items as a special order. To receive Janit's weekly newsletter and special order sheet, please send an e-mail to pdemaillist1@verizon.net and let her know that you are in Paula Roper's New Providence POD and which day.

What's Coming on Saturday 07/18/09

Review the blog post for 07/15/09 - items are the same!

What's Coming on Wednesday 07/15/09

We expect the following NJ Produce: Blueberries, Japanese salad turnips with greens, NY Beets with greens, NJ Red Cabbage, NJ Cilantro, NJ Asian Cucumbers, NJ Swiss Chard, NJ Lettuce, NJ Yellow onions, NJ New White Potaties, and IPM Corn - this alternative method corn was excellent last year, Georgia yellow & Red grape tomatoes, Washington Granny Smith Apples, California Carrots, California white nectarines, and Peruvian Bananas.

Fruit Shares: Red grapes, strawberries, peaches and Packham Pears.

Please contact coordinator in 24 hours if there is a problem with anything.

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!

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!

What's Coming on Saturday 07/01/09

This is what we expect to be in the order. Please note that things can change at the last minute, so we expect these things but we cannot guarantee them. LOCAL PRODUCE IS STARTING!

.We expect organic NJ blueberries (Will be in bags in the red cooler so they do not mold. Pick up early!), PA Napa cabbage (1/2 each--they grew larger than expected and farmer can only fit so many in the boxes,) NY basil, red Russian kale, garlic scapes, romaine OR butter lettuce, snow peas and zucchini, California carrots, celery, lemons, peaches and red bell peppers, and Mexican hothouse tomatoes, Peruvian bananas and New Zealand gold kiwi.

Anything else is a make-up. Please let your coordinator know ASAP if you have any quality problems; we only have 24 hours to get supplier credits.

Fruit shares: I am planning to get green grapes, oranges, plums and a pineapple.

What's Coming on Wednesday07/01/09

This is what we expect to be in the order. Please note that things can change at the last minute, so we expect these things but we cannot guarantee them. LOCAL PRODUCE IS STARTING!

We expect organic NJ blueberries (Our will be in bags - and will be in the cooler on the porch so that they do not mold - come early!!!), PA Napa cabbage (1/2 each--they grew larger than expected and farmer can only fit so many in the boxes,) NY basil, red Russian kale, garlic scapes, romaine OR butter lettuce, snow peas and zucchini, California carrots, celery, lemons, peaches and red bell peppers, and Mexican hothouse tomatoes, Peruvian bananas and New Zealand gold kiwi.

Anything else is a make-up. Please let your coordinator know ASAP if you have any quality problems; we only have 24 hours to get supplier credits.

Fruit shares: I am planning to get green grapes, oranges, plums and a pineapple.

Saturday's Pineapple...

Had a call from one divider Sat. am who thought the pineapples looked iffy.
She cut hers right away when she got home and said it was excellent.
So don't be put off by a bit of surface mold, which is often caused by produce going in and out of refrigeration, but use your pineapple soon.
I suggest washing it (always wash fruit before you cut it) and cut and see how it is. If it is brown inside, obviously overripe and let your coordinator know.
If you think something is ripe or overripe, always a good idea to put in the fridge right away, and use as soon as possible.
It was not our intention to get fruits that were so ripe, but if we have them and they are good, we might as well use them, right?
Also, if you are not ready to use them,. you can freeze cup up fruit for later smoothies, ice pops, daquiries, etc.
Best-
janit

What's Coming on Saturday 06/20/09

This is what we expect to be in the order. Please note that things can change at the last minute, so we expect these things but we cannot guarantee them. LOCAL PRODUCE IS STARTING!

We expect NY Ecologically grown Jonagold apples, organic NY collard greens, dill, red OR green leaf lettuce, either English OR snow peas and red potatoes, PA mushrooms, Florida eggplant, California carrots, Valencia oranges and grape tomatoes, a Costa Rican pineapple and Peruvian bananas.

Anything else is a make-up. Please let your coordinator know ASAP if you have any quality problems; we only have 24 hours to get supplier credits.

Fruit shares: I am planning to get nectarines, peaches, Granny Smith apples, blueberries and a Tommy Atkins mango.

What's Coming on Wednesday 06/17/09

This is what we expect to be in the order. Please note that things can change at the last minute, so we expect these things but we cannot guarantee them. LOCAL PRODUCE IS STARTING!

We expect NY Ecologically grown Jonagold apples, organic NY collard greens, dill, red OR green leaf lettuce and either English OR snow peas, PA mushrooms, Florida eggplant, parsley and tomatoes, California carrots, Valencia oranges and russet potatoes, a Costa Rican pineapple and Peruvian bananas. Anything else is a make-up.

Please let your coordinator know ASAP if you have any quality problems; we only have 24 hours to get supplier credits.

Fruit shares: I am planning to get nectarines, peaches, Granny Smith apples, blueberries and a Tommy Atkins mango.

Here's what's coming Saturday 06/06/09

This is what we expect to be in the order. Please note that things can change at the last minute, so we expect these things but we cannot guarantee them. LOCAL PRODUCE IS STARTING!We expect NY organic cilantro, baby lettuce, spinach and radishes, Georgia blueberries, Florida eggplant, grape AND roma tomatoes and yellow squash, Washington Fuji apples, California carrots, celery, white peaches and romaine lettuce hearts, and Peruvian bananas. Anything else is a make-up.

Please let your coordinator know ASAP if you have any quality problems; we only have 24 hours to get supplier credits.

Fruit shares: I am planning to get red Bartlett pears, Valencia oranges, a honeydew melon and a pineapple.