Dear CSA Members,
Greetings! We hope this email finds you well and that you've had a fantastic week so far.
We've noticed that many of you have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of our delicious strawberries, and we truly appreciate your enthusiasm. However, we've encountered a bit of a challenge lately—rain. Yes, you heard it right. The weather just won't seem to let up, and unfortunately, this affects our strawberry picking process.
You may be wondering, what does rain have to do with strawberries? Well, when it rains, the berries get wet. And if we were to pick them while they're wet, they would turn to mush and wouldn't hold up well in your CSA baskets. We're committed to delivering the highest quality produce to you, so we want to avoid giving you mushy berries at all costs.
Here's the plan: we're excited to announce an exclusive Upick event for CSA members only! Join us on Friday, May 17th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and on Sunday, May 19th, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am for an opportunity to pick your own fresh strawberries. We'll also be adding more dates soon, and we'll be sure to email them out to you.
Additionally, after assessing the fields on Sunday afternoon, we'll determine how many strawberries we can pick to include in your CSA baskets for the week. Rest assured, we'll keep you updated every step of the way.
As for what's been happening on the farm, it's been a busy week indeed! Sadie had an impressive performance at the State Middle School Track meet, finishing 6th in the mile. With her sports activities wrapped up for the next couple of weeks, we're looking forward to spending more time together as a family.
Daniel has been busy with baseball games, while Josh has been prepping the hay equipment for a window of dry weather coming up. We've also been busy hauling animals to the butcher shop—beef, pork, and chicken—to restock our freezers.
This week, we're highlighting Swiss chard as our featured vegetable. Swiss chard is not only nutritious but also incredibly versatile. Here are some tips on how to store and prep Swiss chard:
1. Storage: Remove any rubber bands or ties, and place Swiss chard in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. Store it in the refrigerator crisper drawer for up to 5-7 days.
2. Preparation: Wash Swiss chard under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Trim off any tough stems and discard. You can use both the leaves and stems in your recipes.
And now, here are seven delicious recipe ideas to help you make the most of your Swiss chard:
1. Swiss Chard and Mushroom Frittata
2. Sautéed Swiss Chard with Garlic and Lemon
3. Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup
4. Swiss Chard and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
5. Swiss Chard and Bacon Quiche
6. Swiss Chard and Potato Gratin
7. Swiss Chard and Chickpea Stir-Fry
Before we sign off, a few housekeeping reminders for those who are just starting this week. Please ensure that your delivery spot is correct. Home deliveries will be on Tuesdays, and drop-offs at the FMC parking lot will be from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. For those picking up at Keller Market House or Preston Family Farms, please refer to the designated locations and times mentioned in our previous emails. And for Wednesday pick-up at the farm, simply pull up to the top driveway and knock on the door. Sadie or Michael will be there to assist you with your bag.
Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!
Warm regards,
Farmer Josh
