Construction in Downtown Millburn through November

Downtown Millburn has begun the first phase of construction of the Complete Streets initiative. The enhancements to the thoroughfares are intended to improve pedestrian walkways, optimize traffic flow, increase safety, boost economic vitality and create a more attractive downtown.

The first phase of construction is on Main Street between Millburn Avenue and Essex Street. In addition, they will be renovating the majority of the western section of Millburn Avenue and as well as Main Street. Then a new road adjacent to Town Hall will be built.  This phase will be completed by November 2016.

Upon completion, construction of another section of the downtown will begin.

Please allow extra time to get to pick-up as our hours will not change.

For full details on street closures and detours please visit the Millburn Township's website.

Farm & Fork Society News -- Trial Share, Demo Recipes, Star Ledger, Greenwood Gardens!

Trial Share

Do you have friends who have been eyeing all the yummy produce you’re bringing home or have you sent them to pick up your share and now they want to join? 

Did you just hear about us at one of our recent events and want to see what it is all about?  

Here is a chance to do a one week trial of a vegetable and fruit share for $40. Trial share includes exactly what our fruit and vegetable share members will get that week -- 10-12 different types of vegetables and 2 different types of fruit.  To see what members received last year at this time click here.  

Pick up date November 7, 2014 from 12pm to 3pm in Downtown Millburn pick up site. Contract MUST be received no later than November 3.  

All instructions and contract can be found on our website click the “Trial Share” tab.

Williams-Sonoma Cooking Demo --Recipes 

We had loads of fun cooking and sampling recipes made with our farmer’s produce at Williams-Sonoma, Mall at Short Hills this Saturday.  Our menu included Spinach Walnut Pesto on Pasta, Food in Jars Pear Vanilla Jam served on Frozen Vanilla Yogurt made with Williams-Sonoma Frozen Yogurt Starter drizzled with Williams-Sonoma Mission Fig Balsamic Vinegar and toasted hazelnuts and Blue Cheese/Roquefort and Triple Cream cheese on a Cracker with the Vanilla Pear Jam and the Mission Fig Balsamic. We also cooked up a batch of Butternut Squash Soup in the slow cooker.  

Star Ledger “In Season” Story on Farm & Fork Society 

If you missed the story on us in the Star Ledger last week, here is the link again.  Rachel Weston, Star Ledger “In Season” columnist stopped by the Farm & Fork Society pick-up site and joined us after for the canning class with Food In Jars Master Canner, Marisa McCellan. Read all about her experience in her latest column entitled In Season: Farm & Fork Society Extends the Season.

Greenwood Garden’s History & Harvest Celebration

On Saturday, October 18th, from 12 - 5 PM, Farm & Fork Society will be at Greenwood Garden’s History & Harvest Celebration. This is a fun day for the entire family with crafts, demonstrations, pony rides, apple hunt and more.  We will be sharing a booth with Sweet Jane’s Granola!

Facebook and Instagram

Show off what you have cooked; please post on Facebook and Instagram (@farmandforksociety) tagging us!

Attention Shoppers: Fruit and Vegetable Prices Are Rising

Being a member of the Farm & Fork Society this year will not only give subscribers access to organic vegetables and eco-farmed fruit grown by local farmers, it will also save members significantly on produce bills for the coming summer and fall.

Due to a three year drought in California, it is projected that produce will see massive price hikes that have already begun. According to a recent Wall Street Journal story entitled Attention Shoppers: Fruit and Vegetable Prices Are Rising, this year the cost of produce will skyrocket! It is projected that the three year drought in California could increase the prices of fruits and vegetables from 13% to 34%.

The article is based on a study compiled by Timothy Richards, an agribusiness professor at Arizona State University. Richards studied how the three year California drought has effected farms and consumer purchasing. Based on his studies the study found that a head of lettuce could increase in price as much as 62 cents to $2.44; avocado prices could rise 35 cents to $1.60 each; and tomatoes could cost 45 cents more at $2.84 per pound. 

While the $625 for a Farm & Fork Society vegetable share may seem like a lot of money to pay for lettuce, broccoli and beets (plus a ton of other veggies), on a weekly basis, a subscription is actually very cost effective. The season runs for 24 weeks from June to November and on a weekly basis costs approximately $26 per week for vegetables. For that each member gets enough vegetables to easily feed a family of four a few meals plus.

Putting aside the value of both organic veggies and sustainably grown fruits, supporting local farmers and being a part of a vital and growing community of likeminded people, the Farm & Fork Society will actually SAVE members a ton of money this season.  

A recent analysis of the cost saving of being a member can be viewed here in this in-depth chart based on 2013 prices. The analysis shows that a CSA saves members on average 30-60% per week. This year with the drought in California the savings is surely to increase as prices in Whole Foods, Kings or Shoprite rise.

By Lewis Goldberg