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CSA Farm Share CSA/Farm Market FarmStand Local Food Recipes

DC Farmers Markets – more chanterelles, watermelons, peaches and berries

watermelon

Mark has some truly inspired local goods for you this week! Our Thursday Market is still on hold,please visit our other Markets: Tuesday – Eastern Market, 225 7th Street SE 4-7pm, Wednesday – Patriots Plaza, 315 E Street, SW 11-6:30 pm. If you have questions regarding the markets, please call or text Mark at 804-397-7337.
Please know that Mark will be away for the next two weeks. There will be NO Patriots Plaza drops or market next week 8/17, or the week after, 8/24, resuming the week after, 8/31 – If you get your CSA at Patriots Plaza, your share pickup is moved to Tuesday at Eastern Market, 4-7pm.  PLEASE VISIT US AT EASTERN MARKET ON TUESDAYS!
here are some highlights:

Produce

  • raspberries
  • watermelon
  • sugarcube cantaloupes – these  have been outstanding!
  • white peaches – oh these should be lovely. For the drinking crowd, try turning these into your summer favorite cooler.
  • carrots
  • Tuscan kale
  • spinach
  • paddy pan/mexican squash — these go really well on the grill and are super tasty. They are also fun to stuff. These are old-timers favorites, so have Grandma over for dinner.
  • pablano peppers
  • sweet banana peppers
  • chanterelles  – these are known as the Queen of the Forest and are really a tasty treat. Our West Virginia forager got these for us. We have been having fun with them all week. To clean, lightly brush debris off with a brush or towel, no need to wash with water unless they are really dirty, then only wash what you have to and drain. You can cook as with any mushroom, but they do have a very delicate flavor so keep that in mind — our favorite is simply just to sautee in butter, and season with salt and pepper. Here are some ideas from Food + Wine to get you started.
  • tomatoes – we’ll have red, but maybe green too. Naturally we think of fried green tomatoes, but you can use them in a lot of really cool ways.

FRUIT

  • Blackberries
  • blueberries
  • peaches

CHEESE

  • Peachy Family Mozzarella

MEAT – its all about Southernmost Maple this week and they are renowned for their maple syrup, sausage, apple butter, barbecue and sauce! We love the Puffenberger family from Bolar, VA (in Highland Country near Monterey), and Mark’s stepdad has been friends with Mike for 30 years. We love how they integrate maple syrup into everything. They provide wonderful hospitality, are a stop during the annual Maple Festival, and have their own Fall Harvest Festival. If you are just in the area you can shop at their Country Store. They also have cozy cabins you can rent (we spent last Thanksgiving with them and it was wonderful.) They are a Mennonite family, so are NOT open on Sunday – but you are welcome to worship with them, as they have services open to all on Sundays.

  • Puff’s (Southernmost Maple) pork BBQ – these are pulled and ready to heat and eat.
  • Puff’s (Southernmost Maple) chicken BBQ – these are pulled and ready to heat and eat.
  • maple sausage – ridiculously tasty.

PANTRY
Jam, sorghum molasses, Virginia peanuts, local honey, maple syrup, hot sauce, soaps and other local goods!

All items are subject to availability! Get there early to get the best stuff! For more info on specifics, Call Mark at 804-397-7337 or email farmshares@thefarmbus.com

Happy Cooking!
Suzi

We’re Hiring for a Farmer’s Market Assistant + Interns

Farm to Family, based in Richmond, VA, has an immediate part time JOB opening for Farmer’s Market Associate/Customer Service for our well-established pop-up markets + CSA on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. Interships also available.

Schedule is currently Tuesday 2-7pm; Wed 9-7pm, Thursday 10-7pm (25-30 hrs/wk). $12/hr to start based on experience – advancement opportunities exist to grow with our company.

Job duties include but not limited to:

. Market management including customer service and sales, staffing, forecasting, reports
· Educating and interacting with community members at CSA pick-ups, farmers markets, and more.

· Marketing experience including social media and events

· Must be able to do heavy lifting

· Setup, breakdown of farmer’s markets

· Assist with CSA delivery
Skillset and Experience:

· Experience with retail, CSA model as well as farmers markets a+ including inventory management, ordering, interaction with farmers and vendors.

. Excel, Microsoft word, Square, Powerpoint, graphic design a plus.

· Excellent customer service skills required

· High level of responsibility reliability, motivation, passion about local food and a willingness to learn required

· Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with staff = Required

· Must be able to do heavy lifting – Required

· Clean driver’s license/ability to drive a box truck a +
This is a year-round position for someone who is enthusiastic about growing the CSA and Farmer’s Market experience with us.

For more info about us: www.thefarmbus.com

Please forward resume to mark@thefarmbus.com or call 804-397-7337

Categories
CSA Farm Share CSA/Farm Market FarmStand Get Educated Get Involved

DC FARMERS MARKETS – BEST WEEK EVER! CHANTERELLES, WATERMELON, PEACHES, BERRIES!

Hi Folks —  i think this is the BEST WEEK EVER in the history of our farmer’s markets. It is ridiculous what is in store for us this week. I think the universe (and Mark) went all out.
HAPPY COOKING Y’ALL!
Aaaaand drum roll please…..
PRODUCE

  • nectarines
  • sweet corn
  • sweet yummy peppers
  • mint
  • mini watermelons — hoo rah! — I know you just want to eat it, but watermelon salad with feta and mint is delicious. And save your rinds for watermelon rind pickles easy and tasty. kids will love them.
  • sugar cube cantaloupes – sweetness themselves
  • spinach – be like popeye
  • cherry tomatoes
  • russet potatoes
  • green peppers
  • white onions
  • CHANTARELLE MUSHROOMS !!!!!!! sautee in the cultured Mt. View Butter!
  • peaches
  • Hanover tomatoes
  • pickle cukes – small batch garlic dill pickles

FRUIT

  • blackberries
  • peaches
  • raspberries

MEAT

  • Edmonds Farm Bison steak – Ribeye, skirt or flank. If you get ribeye, you will NOT get smoked trout. I don’t know who that will be – Mark is not responding to me )-: If you have a no trout on your share, there will be something else for you.
  • Polyface breakfast links
  • Virignia Trout Company smoked trout — This is truly a decadent delicious treat perfect as an appetizer whenever you want to treat special friends, or just because. It reminds me of smoked salmon, only better. My dad used to smoke trout (and eel) when I was a kid, and this reminds me of his.

YOGURT/KEFIR UPDATE – no yogurt or kefir this week, but Mark thinks this will be sorted by next week. We are very sad that Old Church Creamery has suspended their yogurt and kefir operations. However, milk will continue, and it is super easy to make at home, and their milk is perfect for this.

DIY PROJECT: YOGURT and KEFIR are super easy to make at home in your oven, slow cooker, electric pressure cooker,  dehydrator or a yogurt maker. You can also make it on your kitchen countertop. But remember you don’t need fancy gadgets – just a steady temperature and time.  You also need good quality whole milk (like Old Church which is chock full of healthy fats that support your brain, heart and help you obtain healthy weight – for real! drink it and lose weight!  Jersey cow milk is the healthiest cow milk.) and good quality plain full fat yogurt that has live probiotic in it (did you save some from last week when I told you to?)
Here’s how to make it in your oven from yogurt, and here’s how to make it from a culture (also tips on how to make different types/styles of yogurts).  You can get culture at Hill’s Kitchen, 713 D Street SE (Leah will be looking for you, so let her know you are one of our members!) I also love Cultures for Health — Great recipes and great products and they have frequent sales. They also carry supplies for home brew, and more. You can purchase online, or at any Mom’s store and at Dawson’s Market.
What I like to do: Strain yogurt it to make it THICKER Greek style, OR strain it for a longer time to make yogurt cheese or cream cheese (save your whey to culture veggies or add to smoothies, pets like it too). So wonderful and easy to make, you will NEVER buy storebought creamcheese again. I also add grass fed gelatin to thicken my yogurt and add more nutrients (like Aussie style) – Great Lakes is cheaper, Vital Proteins (has a cold water soluble) and Perfect Supplements more expensive but smell and taste better. Thrive online has good price on the Vital Proteins brand. Our favorite yogurt toppings? our LOVE + GRATITUDE jam, raw honey, fresh fruit and Sheila’s addictive Thinking of You granola.
KEFIR – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOGURT AND KEFIR?  I like to think of kefir as yogurt’s tangy drinkable therapeutic cousin. I like both of them, but I find kefir makes my tummy work better, and boosts my immune system more. I love good quality kefir and like to drink it straight with no fruit or sweetener. When you use good quality milk, you can taste the sweetness of the milk. and don’t need to disguise the kefir with fruit or sweeteners (like store kind).
HOW TO MAKE MILK KEFIR – you need kefir grains for this, either a purchased variety or from a friend.

PANTRY
Jam, sorghum molasses, Virginia peanuts, local honey, maple syrup, hot sauce, soaps and other local goods!

All items are subject to availability! Get there early to get the best stuff! For more info on specifics, Call Mark at 804-397-7337 or email farmshares@thefarmbus.com

Happy Cooking!
Suzi

We’re Hiring for a Farmer’s Market Assistant + Interns

Farm to Family, based in Richmond, VA, has an immediate part time JOB opening for Farmer’s Market Associate/Customer Service for our well-established pop-up markets + CSA on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. Interships also available.

Schedule is currently Tuesday 2-7pm; Wed 9-7pm, Thursday 10-7pm (25-30 hrs/wk). $12/hr to start based on experience – advancement opportunities exist to grow with our company.

Job duties include but not limited to:

. Market management including customer service and sales, staffing, forecasting, reports
· Educating and interacting with community members at CSA pick-ups, farmers markets, and more.

· Marketing experience including social media and events

· Must be able to do heavy lifting

· Setup, breakdown of farmer’s markets

· Assist with CSA delivery
Skillset and Experience:

· Experience with retail, CSA model as well as farmers markets a+ including inventory management, ordering, interaction with farmers and vendors.

. Excel, Microsoft word, Square, Powerpoint, graphic design a plus.

· Excellent customer service skills required

· High level of responsibility reliability, motivation, passion about local food and a willingness to learn required

· Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with staff = Required

· Must be able to do heavy lifting – Required

· Clean driver’s license/ability to drive a box truck a +
This is a year-round position for someone who is enthusiastic about growing the CSA and Farmer’s Market experience with us.

For more info about us: www.thefarmbus.com

Please forward resume to mark@thefarmbus.com or call 804-397-7337

Categories
CSA Farm Share CSA/Farm Market Get Involved

2013 Spring / Summer CSA Farm Shares – Richmond, VA, and Washington, DC

Join Today! Applications now being accepted!

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Strawberries, spring onions, bibb lettuce, apples and more!

We are now accepting applications for the Spring/Summer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm Shares in Richmond, VA, Washington, DC (Capitol Hill at Eastern Market/NW at Maret School) and surrounding areas to start the 2nd week of April running 24 weeks (6 months) through September.

Our CSA Farm Share program is a versatile, flexible program that includes locally produced food options, payment plans, and open enrollment/pro-rated join-anytime membership. Bi-weekly/weekly frequency will vary with location site and interest. Check out our dropsites on this map which include metro DC, Richmond, NoVa, Northern Neck, New Kent, Chesterfield and more. Note that not all sites are confirmed, as we need 10 members per site to make it work, so let us know your interest/commitment ASAP! For more info on our CSA Farm Shares, to download an application and join, visit our CSA page.

BusFarm, our Urban Farm, supplies fresh food for our market and CSA Farm Shares

We work with notable farms/producers like Polyface FarmsMt Vernon FarmsProspect FarmEdmond’s FarmMt. View FarmGoats r UsOld Church CreameryGreen Fence FarmPampatike Organic FarmPromise Land PasturesTuckahoe Lamb and Cattle CompanySausage CraftAgriberry and Twin Oaks along with our own non-profit urban farm and agricultural educational center, BusFarm. Your CSA farm share directly supports BusFarm. See BusFarm in action!

We are EBT, vegan, gluten-free, paleo, WAPF and food allergy friendly. We offer payment plans. Got an issue? Ask us and we’ll see if we can accommodate you!  We donate missed pickups (without prior arrangements) to needy families. You can also sponsor a family for one time, or the whole season. Contact us for info on being a sponsor.

Options include:

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Produce, Dairy, Meats, Soy, Bread and other good foods are available.
  • Seasonal produce – locally grown on small farms with no to minimum sprays, pesticides. Some of our farms have organic certifications, but others choose to grow with organic methods, without certification.
  • Grass-fed/pastured meats like beef, pork, bison, trout, oysters/clams, lamb, sausage, chicken. No hormones, antibiotics and we work with small, humane family farms.
  • Grass-fed dairy with milk, butter, yogurt, cheeses from Mountain View, Goats R Us, Old Church Creamery. No hormones, antibiotics and we work with small, humane family farms.
  • Package — Fondly called “The Whole SheBang” by our long-time members, this includes produce, meat, dairy (including eggs) and bread. Purchase and pre-pay the package, and receive a discount.
  • Bread/Gluten Free Bread
  • Eggs
  • Pizza/Pasta
  • Dog Treats
  • Body Care
  • Soy
  • a la carte items like honey, jam, baked goods, and more are available

Want to see what you might get in your share? Check out these pictures!

Get Involved/Earn Free Food — Be a Drop Site

Farm to Family Farm Share drop on Capitol Hill at Eastern Market

Want to get involved and earn free food by hosting a drop-site at your home, worksite, church or community center? Contact us for more info. Recruit friends, family, neighbors, church members and co-workers to make it happen. Create community! Eat fresh, local, healthy food!

BE HAPPY! EAT LOCAL!

For more info on our CSA Farm Shares, or to download an application and join, visit our CSA page.

Categories
CSA/Farm Market

Delicious Zesty Summer Veggies and Fruits now in Season at Farm to Family!

We are in the heart of summer fruits and vegetables and the market is overflowing: corn, tomatoes, peaches, plums, watermelons, cantaloupes, honey dews, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, figs, grapes, squash and eggplant — 8-10 varieties weekly! Peppers, onions, potatoes, beans, cabbagesGrab and Go boxes are available every day filled with the best the market has to offer.

Tomatoes of all varieties are in season grown right here at BusFarm — Heirlooms for salads and sandwiches, romas for sauces and to sun-dry, big red slicers for sandwiches (try our Henricos vs Hanover!), Sungold cherry tomatoes sweet as candy.

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