Going a little easy.

Taking it easy.

Happy New Year friends. It's 2026 and day 4,112 of school vacation. We are all doing the best we can and I will try my darndest to keep this newsletter on the rails.

I don't know about you but I'm not prone to making resolutions. I find the albatross of those annual expectations and potential failures too heavy to bear. (Eat more quinoa! Churn your own butter! Finally learn aramaic you lazy cow! No thanks.) However this year I'm giving into the trend and carving out a resolution to just be a little easier, a little lighter, maybe a bit slower.

Where's that sudden gear shift coming from? The inspiration, as it so often is, came from cheese.

The other day I had a perfect piece of cheese and it's been living rent free in my brain ever since. It was simply plated chunks of parmesan with the slightest drizzle of 18 year old balsamic vinegar. That was all, it was the prima donna of the plate. About the size of the tip of your thumb the invitation was to pop it in your mouth and just enjoy the one dynamic bite. And we followed the script to the letter. The bite kept unraveling, showing its depth. Nuttiness gave way to chunky crystals that set off fireworks of umami. It came together like one soulful, searing playlist you want to hear over and over. I closed my eyes. I may, embarrassingly, have giggled.

That's what I want more of. The space to pause and enjoy small simple things. Like kids sledding for the first time (the highlight reel is stunningly clumsy and awesome), a perfect bowl of soup made by a friend (thanks, Brian!) or one chunk of cheese.

At Family Dinner we hope we get to bring you that. Those moments of slow enjoyment in a loaf of bread from A&J King, or brownie bites from Forge, local microgreens that defy the winter's icy edge and impossibly sweet carrots that define what it means to be a carrot in the first place.

And none of this is a call to be Pollyanna-ish. We still want our eyes wide open this year to be able to fight for change, support the most vulnerable in our community and be a safe space.

But in the whir of expectations, negativity and overwhelm - if we can, in any way, be your tiny bite of cheese it would be a wonderful year indeed.

Much love,

Erin, Joe and the Family Dinner Fam

I need to skip this week!

Please email us by Sunday evening if you'd like us to skip the order that is due to process on Monday! This would not be for the items listed above but for the following delivery. It really, REALLY helps us if you skip BEFORE orders process early Monday morning.

I'm traveling this week/month/year!

You can take us with you! Get in touch and we'll put together a custom package of goodies to keep you sated while you're enjoying the Cape or Bar Harbor. If you're expecting to be away for several weeks or months we can put your subscription on hold.

I'm allergic and/or hate this item!

Send us an email with your name and we'll make a note to your account to substitute those items when they're a part of your share.

What do I do with these bags/ice packs?

Please leave them outside for our drivers to collect and return to home base. We'll get them cleaned up and back into rotation.

We want YOU... to email us

If something is amiss in your order, or you need to make a special request, we want to know about it. Email us—we love hearing from you and we're happy to help however we can!

Have a wonderful weekend!
—The Fam Din Team

Get In Touch About Your Order!

{% if person.location.region != 'Maine' and person.location.region != 'ME' and person.location.region != 'New Hampshire' and person.location.region != 'NH' %}

Massachusetts

Delivery dates: Sat., Jan. 03 & Tue., Jan. 06

Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Only Share" or "Fish and Seafood Only Share" you will receive just the proteins listed, not the fruits and veggies, dairy, grains or teats.

Add-on Bread of the Week - Pita from Sharonna's
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Boursin from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Spinach Pappardelle from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Add-on Gluten-Free Grain of the Week - Seed'nola from 88 Acres
Add-on Grain of the Week - Frozen Cream Cheese Biscuits from Healing Home Foods
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Baba Ganoush from Magic Bites
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Kouign Amann from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Add-on Ravioli of the Week - Cheese Ravioli from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Add-on Salad of the Week - Quinoa Salad from Forge Baking Co.
Add-on Sausage of the Week - Pepperoni Pizza Sausage from Vermont Salumi
Add-on Soup of the Week - Vegetarian - Peanut Chickpea Stew from Forge Baking Co.
Add-on Treat of the Week - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers

Omnivore Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farm; Mackerel from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hummus from Magic Bites
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Cranberry Orange Scone from A&J King Artisan Bakers

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farm; Mackerel from Red's Best; Shaved Steak from Cold Spring Ranch
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm; Radicchio from Iron Ox Farm; Watermelon Radish from Iron Ox Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hummus from Magic Bites; Plain Greek Yogurt from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Tortilla Chips from Mi Niña
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Cranberry Orange Scone from A&J King Artisan Bakers

Pescatarian Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Mackerel from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Mackerel from Red's Best; Flounder from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hummus from Magic Bites
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Cranberry Orange Scone from A&J King Artisan Bakers

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Mackerel from Red's Best; Flounder from Red's Best; Salmon from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm; Radicchio from Iron Ox Farm; Watermelon Radish from Iron Ox Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hummus from Magic Bites; Plain Greek Yogurt from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Tortilla Chips from Mi Niña
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Cranberry Orange Scone from A&J King Artisan Bakers

Vegetarian Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Tempeh from Tootie's Tempeh
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Tempeh from Tootie's Tempeh; Lentil Fingers from Magic Bites
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hummus from Magic Bites
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Cranberry Orange Scone from A&J King Artisan Bakers

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Tempeh from Tootie's Tempeh; Lentil Fingers from Magic Bites; Spinach Pies from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm; Radicchio from Iron Ox Farm; Watermelon Radish from Iron Ox Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hummus from Magic Bites; Plain Greek Yogurt from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Grain - Cornmeal Pumpkin Hearth Bread from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Tortilla Chips from Mi Niña
Special Treat - Pecan Shortbread Cookies from A&J King Artisan Bakers; Cranberry Orange Scone from A&J King Artisan Bakers

Paleo Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farm; Mackerel from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm; Radicchio from Iron Ox Farm; Watermelon Radish from Iron Ox Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farm; Mackerel from Red's Best; Shaved Steak from Cold Spring Ranch; Something Tasty from Somewhere Local
Fruits and Veggies - Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Marfax Beans from Baer's Beans; Spinach from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Langwater Farm; Pinto Gold Potatoes from Red Fire Farm; Kale from Red Fire Farm; Radicchio from Iron Ox Farm; Watermelon Radish from Iron Ox Farm; Something Tasty from Somewhere Local; Something Else Tasty from Somewhere Local
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm

{% endif %}

{% if person.location.region != 'Maine' and person.location.region != 'ME' and person.location.region != 'New Hampshire' and person.location.region != 'NH' %}

Recipes

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup - 'Tis the season, no? Big fan of egg noodles over here.

Maine Bean-Hole Baked Beans - Is it okay to plagiarize AI? Well... here's what it (they?) say: "Marfax beans are a beloved heirloom variety in Downeast Maine, famous for making rich, flavorful baked beans, often cooked slowly in traditional "bean hole" pits or pots with salt pork, molasses, and onion." And these beans come from a legend in the bean world, Charley Baer (yes there is a bean world and yes, there're legends within that world).

Chicken Florentine - We could all use some more fiber in our diets this time of year. But we still need some comfort food. Here ya go.

Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.

{% endif %}

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Posted on January 02, 2026

Joe Grotto

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