Wednesday, October 30, 2013

STARBRITE FARM END OF SEASON “STOCK UP”


Starbrite will be offering one additional share to be delivered on Friday, November 22nd or Friday, November 29th (or maybe Monday, December 2).  This will be a “stock up” share and will include various vegetables that store well, so that you will be able to enjoy produce from the farm well into the winter months. The total weight of this share will be between about 50 lbs.. Approximately a third of the share will be an assortment of butternut, acorn, buttercup (kabocha), delicata, and sweet dumpling squash. The share will also include an assortment of root vegetables such as carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, celery root and radishes. John expects that the root crops will comprise about 10 lbs. of the share. They had a great potato harvest this season but the onion crop has not kept well.  He has made arrangements to buy some organic onions from a farm in NY State. There will be about 20 lbs. of potatoes and onions in the share. The potatoes will include some fingerling, all blue and all red potatoes. Also included will be cabbage, and whatever greens they still have in the field at this time, such as arugula or other mustards, and spinach. It is possible that there will be broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts, but he cannot guarantee their availability at this time. The cost of this final share will be $70, which is an excellent value, equivalent to a wholesale price for the produce included.
The potatoes, onions and squash can be stored in a cool dry place such as an attached garage or enclosed porch, where they will not freeze. The root vegetables and cabbage will best be stored in your refrigerator. 
John knows that this final share will not work for everyone, but he hopes that many of you will be able to participate. Doing so will help him to make use of the produce that he has in storage, as well as utilize what remains in the fields, and will help him with the funds that I need for the pending farm purchase. 
If you are interested in supporting the farm but cannot use so much squash and potatoes, you may want to consider purchasing a stock-up share to be donated to a food bank or soup kitchen. Also if you would like to donate a lesser amount, Starbrite will donate one lb. of potatoes or squash for each dollar donated. 
As always, Farm John thanks you for your support and patronage.   
If you are interested, please email millburnshorthillscsa at gmail.com. (Non-members can participate, if you have a friend who is interested.)