Farmer Reuben wants you to read the instructions below. The second week of a great season of eating vegetables from Willow Haven Farm is finally here! Our every other week members are getting their FIRST farm share. I hope it was worth the wait. You'll be eating great this week! It's a BIG DEAL to have organic strawberries for the first weeks of the season - mostly for fruit shares. I'll write more about this later.
Try the Kohlrabi this week! Don't be afraid of it, even though it might look alien-ish. After trying it for the first time many members last season discovered it to be a new favorite vegetable. That's even one reason for joining a Farm Share CSA - to try new foods! I'll be sending one of my favorite recipes for Kohlrabi in an email next week.
Turnips might be a vegetable you think you don't like but try these and taste the difference. These white Haikuri Turnips are tender and sweet. I love to eat them raw - something I don't prefer with the larger purple and white turnips. If you want ideas of how to prepare Haikuri Turnips - join the Harvie Member Facebook Group. It's full of CSA Members who have lots of experience with uncommon CSA veggies. Just post a picture and ask "What do I do with these?" and you'll get a ton of comments and suggestions.
Reserve your table for Pizza Night on Saturday, June 12. You'll experience "The best place to eat in the Lehigh Valley!" as farm member, Susan, said last week. It's a great way to see the farm, get inspired by local food, and meet your farmer in a relaxed atmosphere. *Info & reservations here*
TAKE CARE OF THE BOX (if you are getting a delivered box)
Be careful when opening your box. You shouldn't need to tear the flaps when you open. Just slide the top one back. WATCH THIS VIDEO to show you how.
RETURN THE BOX & PACKING MATERIALS - We intend to reuse every box we send out for the majority of the season. Keep the box safe until your next veggie delivery, then do this:
1. For St. Stephen’s: bring your empty box back to your site when you pick up your second box.
2. For Farm pick up: bring your empty box back to the Farm when you pick up your second box or just use your own container.
PLEASE LET YOUR HOUSEHOLD (spouse, partners, children) KNOW NOT TO THROW AWAY, DESTROY, DAMAGE OR RECYCLE THIS BOX, COOLER BAGS OR ICE BRICKS.
WHAT ELSE TO SAVE?
- ICE PACKS & ICE BRICKS - when thawed, keep dry until returned.
- GREEN CARTONS (square pints, quarts, etc.)
- EGG CARTONS (cardboard)
We will re-use or recycle these items. You may return them with your waxed produce box. Please discard or recycle any plastic or paper bags that your veggies come in. Each year we work to improve, reduce and recycle the necessary packing. Thanks for your attention and assistance.
CUSTOMIZE OR NOT?
We would like Saturday Farm Pick up members to customize your list of veggies before coming to the farm (if there are any changes you'd like to make.)
- Much more organization has to happen on our end because of increased membership and varied share sizes.
- Please bring your list on paper or on your phone to the farm. (If you forget, we'll have a copy for you.)
- You may bring your own box, bag or basket if you'd like. Otherwise we will provide a farm share box to you.
- You will choose your veggies from our wagon based on your list. The veggies will be placed generally in your list order. (Yep, we can do that.)
- At the end of the wagon if you'd prefer to make a swap with something else, we will try to accommodate you. (It will be best to make swaps in your email/Harvie account to guarantee your selections.) SELECTION AND SWAPS will be LIMITED in the first few weeks until the harvests become more abundant.
- All our veggies are counted and we hold back veggies that are reserved for members that come later than you.
>>>Be sure that you've taken a few minutes to rate each vegetable that we grow according to how much you like them. You'll get the most out of Harvie's customization process that way and you won't have the pressure of having to use the swapping process when you get our customization email each week. Log in to your account www.harvie.farm/login. Read help doc How Swaps Work and How Preferences Work help doc.
SWAP WINDOW
You'll be able to make swaps and changes until 5 pm Thursday. Then the lists will be finalized so we can go pick and pack the right amounts of each vegetable for all our members.
WHAT WILL YOU GET?
This is your first email from Harvie, letting you know that you may customize your box. On the first weeks there may not be a lot of extra variety for swapping because mostly greens are ready. You can expect to see lettuce, kale, Bok choy, and scallions. Stir-frys are a great way of using these spring veggie boxes.
Also, your box will be light and may not look full, depending on what you've chosen. Be assured that variety will grow week by week but your preference choices will determine what you ultimately get.
ADD ON SHARES
Fruit, cheese, bread, smoothies and eggs are available to be picked up in the market store. Let the farm staff know so they can check you off their list. Flower shares do not start until the end of June.
Thanks for supporting local food and local farmers!
We'll keep farming for you,
Farmer Reuben, Tessa, WHF crew, and the local farmer community
** If you have any questions about customizing your box, billing or your account, contact Harvie support. Any other questions, contact me!
** Be sure to check out these FAQs to help you learn to navigate your Harvie profile and see how many options you have with your Subscription.
