A Lesson on PFAS
Pun-Free, Serious Newsletter
(From Joe)
Earlier this year, the state of ME identified over 700 sites it would investigate for elevated levels of PFAS. This group of chemicals, great at making things fire/grease/stain resistant, has been used for decades in myriad applications from ski wax to non-stick pans. They’re also very, very slow to break down, earning them the name “forever chemicals”, and research is showing that, at elevated levels, they can cause serious health issues.
One way PFAS was introduced to these 700+ sites was through the spreading of sludge, which is the charming and on-the-nose name of the repurposed waste from wastewater treatment facilities that is sold as fertilizer. Sludge, applied to one field, can find its way into the water table and, as it’s used more, the PFAS build up, creating unsafe levels which impact neighbors' wells, the drinking water at the local school, the hay fed to cows.
This is a gut punch to small family farms, folks who take immense pride in the stewardship of the land they farm and their ability to produce healthy food for their neighbors. It has put their livelihood and the health of communities at risk.
The situation is far from hopeless, though. Farmers and legislators have been working to find solutions and mitigate losses but help is needed.
At Family Dinner, we're taking a two pronged approach. One, as a stopgap, helping to directly support folks that have already experienced hardship, like Misty Brook, who replaced their herd after finding PFAS in their cows’ milk, traced to organic hay they had used as feed. And two, taking a longer view and donating to relief funds, like the MOFGA/ME Farmland Trust PFAS Emergency Relief Fund, which will encourage more testing and provide a safety net to those who need it. We'd love it if you're able to follow suit. And, whether or not you’re able to help financially, please write to local legislators.
WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (MA)
Delivery dates: Saturday, 3/26 and Tuesday, 3/29
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Share" you will receive just the meats listed, not the "dairy" items (i.e., eggs, yogurt, etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Share" you will receive the fish listed, not the dairy items.
Add-on Bread of the Week - Garlic Cheddar Bread from Great Harvest Bakery
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Camembert from Bell and Goose
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Fusilli from Seven Hills Pasta Co
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - English Muffins from Something Sweet Without Wheat
Add-on Grain of the Week - Pizza Dough from A&J King
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Baba Ganoush from Magic Bites
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Kouign Amann from A&J King
Add-on Vegetarian Soup of the Week - Tuscan White Bean with Kale from Forge
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chicken from Yankee Farmer's Market; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House
Pescatarian Protein - Haddock, Sea Bass from Red's; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House
Vegetarian Proteins - Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie from Forge Baking Co.; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House
Paleo Proteins - Chicken from Yankee Farmer's Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Arugula from Queen's Greens; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Potatoes from Heron Pond Farm and Brookford Farm; Mushrooms from Fat Moon Farm
Grain - Pizza Dough from A&J King
Special Treat - Honey Lavender Cookies from A&J King
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chicken from Yankee Farmer's Market; Haddock from Red's; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Haddock, Sea Bass from Red's; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins - Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie from Forge Baking Co.; Bean Salad from Topsfield Bakeshop; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Paleo Proteins - Chicken from Yankee Farmer's Market; Haddock from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Arugula from Queen's Greens; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Potatoes from Heron Pond Farm and Brookford Farm; Mushrooms from Fat Moon Farm; Radishes from Brookford Farm; Greens from Oasis Spring Farm and Brookford Farm
Grain - Pizza Dough from A&J King
Special Treat - Honey Lavender Cookies and Chive Scones from A&J King
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chicken from Yankee Farmer's Market; Haddock from Red's; Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Yogurt from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Pescatarian Protein - Haddock, Sea Bass, Monkfish from Red's; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Yogurt from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Vegetarian Proteins - Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie from Forge Baking Co.; Bean Salad from Topsfield Bakeshop; Tamales from TexMex Eats; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Yogurt from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Paleo Proteins - Chicken from Yankee Farmer's Market; Haddock from Red's; Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Arugula from Queen's Greens; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Potatoes from Heron Pond Farm and Brookford Farm; Mushrooms from Fat Moon Farm; Radishes from Brookford Farm; Greens from Oasis Spring Farm and Brookford Farm; Kabocha Squash from Greenwood Orchard; Lettuce from Spring Works
Grain - Pizza Dough from A&J King; Whole Wheat Round from Iggy's
Special Treat - Honey Lavender Cookies and Chive Scones from A&J King
RECIPES (MA)
(from Shannon)
PIZZA WEEK!!! -
- Arugula Pizza - My favorite topping for pizza! Pair with a tomato sauce or I love to do a lemony, garlic sauce with chicken, yum!
- Arugula Pesto Pizza - Worried about greens on your pizza? Well turn that arugula into a pesto! (My second favorite way to have arugula!) It's great with pasta or mix with a little mayo to put on sammies!
- Mushroom Pizza - Because, it's delicious!
- Potato Pizza - yeah, try it. It's amazing.
Shall this list continue? Well yes, because the limit does not exist on pizza toppings but I will stop here.
Sea Bass over Wilted Greens - Dinner in 20 minutes!
Oven Fried Drumsticks - One of my favorite and most under-appreciated cuts of chickens are the drumsticks. Nothing is more comforting than roasting some drumsticks and veggies for a quick and easy dinner or lunch! Bonus they're usually very forgiving if you over cook them too :)
Watermelon Radish - An always appreciated bright pop of color when cooking with root veg! Try it in a Quickle or on top of Toast!
Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.
WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (ME/NH)
Delivery date: Saturday, 3/26
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Share" you will receive just the meats listed, not the "dairy" items (i.e., eggs, yogurt, etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Share" you will receive the fish listed, not the dairy items.
Add-on Bread of the Week - Focaccia from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Camembert Cubs from Bell & Goose Cheese Co.
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Tomato Basil Linguini from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Maple Potato Chips from Vintage Maine Kitchen
Add-on Grain of the Week - Popcorn from Popzup
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Hummus from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Currant Scone from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Vegetarian Soup of the Week - Tuscan White Bean with Kale from Forge Baking Company
Add-on Treat of the Week - Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein & Dairy - Beef Rib from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Paleo Proteins - Beef Rib from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Mixed Mushrooms from Fruit of the Forest; Spinach from Dandelion Spring; Rutabaga from Hall Brook Farm; Potatoes from Goranson Farm or Heron Pond; Pea Shoots from Goranson Farm*; Shallots from Checkerberry Farm*
Grains - Egg Fettuccine from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.
Special Treats - Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Beef Rib from Pine Ridge Acres; Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Jam from Olde Haven Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Jam from Olde Haven Farm
Paleo Proteins - Beef Rib from Pine Ridge Acres; Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Shells & Cheese from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Jam from Olde Haven Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Mixed Mushrooms from Fruit of the Forest; Spinach from Dandelion Spring; Rutabaga from Hall Brook Farm; Potatoes from Goranson Farm or Heron Pond; Pea Shoots from Goranson Farm; Shallots from Checkerberry Farm; Apples from Champlain Orchards*; Carrots from Brookford Farm*
Grains - Egg Fettuccine from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.
Special Treats - Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Peanut Butter Cookies from Two Fat Cats
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Beef Rib from Pine Ridge Acres; Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Jam from Olde Haven Farm; Butter from Casco Bay Creamery
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Arctic Char from Harbor Fish Market; Pollock from True Fin**; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Jam from Olde Haven Farm; Butter from Casco Bay Creamery
Paleo Proteins - Beef Rib from Pine Ridge Acres; Bluefish from Harbor Fish Market; Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Shells & Cheese from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Tuscan White Bean With Kale Soup from Forge Baking Co. Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Jam from Olde Haven Farm; Butter from Casco Bay Creamery
Fruits and Veggies - Mixed Mushrooms from Fruit of the Forest; Spinach from Dandelion Spring; Rutabaga from Hall Brook Farm; Potatoes from Goranson Farm or Heron Pond; Pea Shoots from Goranson Farm; Shallots from Checkerberry Farm; Apples from Champlain Orchards; Carrots from Brookford Farm
Grains - Egg Fettuccine from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.; Focaccia from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Special Treats - Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Peanut Butter Cookies from Two Fat Cats
*Paleo shares only
**Super frozen to -60ºC which means zero ice crystals rupturing cell structure while defrosting which means zero difference from fresh and zero issues searing. ❤️
RECIPES (ME/NH)
(from Joe)
Beef Noodle Soup - Although...
Fettuccine Alfredo - This is one of a small handful of Italian American classics amidst dozens of regional Italian specialties from Missy Robin's amazing book, Pasta: The Spirit and Craft of Italy's Greatest Food, with Recipes. It's insanely tasty.
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing - There is something magical about the collision of vinaigrette, egg yolk and mushrooms. Vegetarian/just plain tasty twist: sub the bacon dressing with a mustard-y shallot version.