Good afternoon Members - Happy Wednesday! Glad to see the rain - provided a good drink for the veggies!
Thought I would give you a view of the inside of the barn and a part of our packing line - most Thursday mornings we have enough volunteers for each person to pack one vegetable - and that is preferred - for it makes for the shortest packing time. At the beginning of the line is the corn in large storage bins - and also at the beginning of the line is Ronnie - a retiree and also a master gardener - she is one of our regular volunteers at the Farm and an integral person on packing day! On Wednesday night - we prepare the boxes - constructing them - cleaning - wiping down - printing the labels and placing them on the boxes - clustering them by site - and in order of the delivery schedule. Also on Wednesday night, we weigh or count the vegetables and place them in the bags. We have two large coolers at the Farm to store the vegetables after they have been picked and washed and bagged if necessary. We start our packing day about 5:30 am and usually (with all hands on deck) finish around 9 am - trucks are packed and we are on our way to deliver your vegetables!
Some updates concerning the shares - we have substituted red potatoes for the white - quantities of the white were not sufficient - for the broccoli crowns - we base each bag on weight - approximately 1 lb. - some bags will contain one crown - and some two
Fruit Shares - the next delivery will be Thursday Sept 10th - and I will let you know in the weekend customization email what will be included in the share
The forecast looks good for Saturday Sept 5th for our first Pick Your Own - vegetables that will be available are Cherry Tomatoes, Okra, Green Beans, Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Parsley, Tomatillos and beautiful sunflowers and zinnias for you to take home - quantities will vary from pint to quart - have lots of beans - Okra - tomatillos - and herbs - tomatoes some what limited - lots on the vines in their summer green - the time is 9 am to 12 noon - you may bring your children or another family member or friend - We do ask you to observe a couple of our policies for pick your own that we have put in place for the well-being and safety of everyone who visits - please do not bring any pets - and if you bring your children, we ask that you remain with them at all times for their safety - we have containers and bags which you may use for picking - you are welcome to bring scissors or small clippers to harvest the veggies or herbs - please bring a mask - you might want to bring a pair of gloves - if you have questions please email me - bobb@regionalfoodbank.net Thank you!
Directions to the Farm
The Patroon Land Farm is located at 132 Ketcham Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186.
From Schenectady
- Rt. 890 east to Exit 9B (Rt. 146).
- Left onto Rt. 146 (Carman Rd.).
- Go about 4 miles to intersection of Rts. 20 & 146.
- Left on Rt. 20 & 146 for .5 miles.
- Right onto Rt. 146.Stay on 146 about 5.5 miles into Altamont.
- Go straight through Altamont bearing right up the hill onto Rt. 156 at the Stewart’s Shop. Go 2.7 miles and turn left on Rt.157 (Thompson’s Lake Rd.).
- Go 1.7 miles.Turn left on County Route 256 (Ketcham Rd.).
- Farm is 1 mile down the road.
From Albany
- Take I-90 to Exit 4, merging onto Rt. 85S toward Slingerlands.
- Enter next roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rt. 85 W.
- Pass through 2 roundabouts, staying on Rt. 85W.
- Enter next roundabout and take the 1st exit onto New Scotland Rd / Rt. 85.
- Turn slight right onto Rt. 157 / Thacher Park Rd.
- Turn right onto Ketcham Rd.
- #132 is on the right.
Alternative from Albany
- Take Rt. 20 (Western Avenue) to Rt. 146.
- Left onto Rt. 146 – following through Altamont (Main Street Altamont turns into Rt. 156).
- Follow Rt. 156 to Rte. 157 Thompson Lake Road (first left past Highlander Restaurant).
- Follow Thompson Lake Road to Ketcham Road.
- Take Left onto Ketcham Road.
What to do with the boxes - for many reasons this year - sites are not holding the boxes for us - Options - if the box does not appear to be in good shape - please just put it in your recycle at home - if it is OK - My suggestion is - you store them at home and when you have a good amount and happen to be heading toward the Food Bank - please drop them off - Monday - Friday - 8 am - 5 pm - Thank You to everyone continuing to return your boxes each week!
We appreciate your support of the CSA and Farm. Still sending cukes and zukes into the Food Bank -and this week that will include cabbage too! As you well know - many have not returned to work - and your partnership allows us to continue to feed those in need in our community! Thank You!
Look forward to seeing you at the Farm on Saturday -
Hope your weekend includes some special time with family and friends -
Very best, Bob
