Good News for the Good Guys
Farming ain’t easy. Raising animals with respect and care requires loads of effort. And one of the biggest hurdles facing many small farms is at the end of the cycle. There is a growing waitlist for animals to be processed at USDA-inspected facilities which have limited openings and capacity. The increased waits means farms are providing the good life to their animals for longer and longer periods, driving up costs. Additionally, in Maine, some facilities may only be approved to process meat to sell within the state or are only approved to sell certain types of meat.
A few weeks ago, the USDA awarded a pretty serious chunk of change aimed at addressing the need for more animal inspection and processing facilities to two operations in ME that are near and dear to our hearts.
For Fork Food Lab, where our ME/NH business is based, from the Portland Press Herald:
The grant will allow Food Fork Lab… to develop the first shared-use kitchen in New England with dedicated space for meat processing covered by a Federal Grant of Inspection. The funds will also let Food Fork Lab buy specialized equipment; help five processors obtain their own federal grants for wholesale distribution; assist as many as eight meat and poultry processor startup businesses; and establish training and technical assistance protocols for future wholesale processors.
And for our friends at Olde Haven Farm, who not only make some of the most delicious preserves we’ve had (strawberry basil, anyone?), but also raise pigs on pasture and make incredible sausages (and porchetta 🤤). This grant will go towards building out their new processing opportunities and allow us to soon get our mitts on those sausages. Says Kelby from Olde Haven:
We are humbled and honored to be selected for each one of these programs and want to use this funding wisely to increase the production and availability of local products, create more good paying jobs in our community and continue to be good stewards of the land that we are blessed to farm. This is an exciting time for us here at the farm and we are looking forward to the future and where it is taking us!
Increasing access to great food from great producers is at the core of Family Dinner and we’re thrilled to see steps being taken that will make it easier.
Shannon’s Context for MA: State to state, there are different regulations based on different handling, processing, and numerous other factors for meat. While I am totally fan-girling here at the incredible impact these funds will have on local animal processing in Maine (if you build the facilities to process local animals, more farmers will be able to truly grow local meat), there has yet to be seen opportunities like this in Massachusetts.
WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (MA)
Delivery dates: Saturday, 9/10 and Tuesday, 9/13
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 - Whole Wheat Pullman from Iggy's
Add-on Cheese of the Week - East Meadow Cheddar from Plymouth Artisan Cheese
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Fresh Herb Pappardelle from Valicenti
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - English Muffins from Something Sweet Without Wheat
Add-on Grain of the Week - Bagels from Iggy's
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Muhammara from Magic Bites
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Jam Bars from A&J King
Add-on Vegetarian Salad of the Week - White Bean Salad from Forge
Add-on Fruit Share Fruits of the Week - Peaches from Kimball Fruit Farm; Grapes from Autumn Hills Orchards
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein -Salmon from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Salmon from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Protein - Tandoori Spiced Tofu from Forge; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Protein - Salmon from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Cabbage from Fire Fox Farm; Apples from Kimball Fruit Farm; Carrots from Brookford Farm; Lettuce from Gotham Greens
Grain - Multigrain Bread from A&J King
Special Treat - Cinnamon Chocolate Cookies from A&J King
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein -Salmon from Red's; Sausage from Clark Farm, Broad Arrow Farm, Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Butter from High Lawn Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Salmon, Cusk from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Butter from High Lawn Farm
Vegetarian Protein - Tandoori Spiced Tofu from Forge; Ravioli from Valicenti; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Butter from High Lawn Farm
Paleo Protein - Salmon from Red's; Sausage from Clark Farm, Broad Arrow Farm, Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Cabbage from Fire Fox Farm; Apples from Kimball Fruit Farm; Carrots from Brookford Farm; Lettuce from Gotham Greens; Celery from Clark Farm; Spaghetti Squash from Moose Hill Farm
Grain - Multigrain Bread from A&J King
Special Treat - Cinnamon Chocolate Cookies and Whole Wheat Coffee Cake Muffins from A&J King
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein -Salmon from Red's; Sausage from Clark Farm, Broad Arrow Farm, Feather Brook Farms; Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Butter from High Lawn Farm; Pesto from Clark Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Salmon, Cusk, Sword from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Butter from High Lawn Farm; Pesto from Clark Farm
Vegetarian Protein - Tandoori Spiced Tofu from Forge; Ravioli from Valicenti; Tamales from TexMex Eats; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Butter from High Lawn Farm; Pesto from Clark Farm
Paleo Protein - Salmon from Red's; Sausage from Clark Farm, Broad Arrow Farm, Feather Brook Farms; Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Cabbage from Fire Fox Farm; Apples from Kimball Fruit Farm; Carrots from Brookford Farm; Lettuce from Gotham Greens; Celery from Clark Farm; Spaghetti Squash from Moose Hill Farm; Pluots from Autumn Hills Orchard; Beets from Iron Ox Farm
Grain - Multigrain Bread from A&J King; Pizza Shells from Iggy's
Special Treat - Cinnamon Chocolate Cookies and Whole Wheat Coffee Cake Muffins from A&J King
RECIPES (MA)
(from Shannon)
One - Pan Salmon and Cabbage - You know I love a one pan meal! Try it with your cabbage OR try a One-Pan Salmon and Carrot with Carrot Top Pesto Recipe.
How to Spaghetti Squash - A delicious meal in a squash ready to be topped with your tofu or sausage!
Lettuce Wraps - Utilize a recipe or clear out your fridge and pantry with lettuce wraps!
Celery Salad on Toast - This isn't your average Salinas Valley grocery store celery. Expect it to pack a punch flavor wise to delight your senses. Let it shine as a salad on toast or in an Apple and Celery Salad. And without fail, make your tastiest batch of broth ever!
New England Fish Chowder with Cusk - These few cold mornings have been making me dream of soups! Why not this one!
Roasted Beet Pizza - top your pizza shell with roasted beets!
Swordfish with Beet Root Mash - Another great way to try out your beets!
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, 9/10
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 - Sourdough Bread from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Alehouse Cheddar from Vermont Farmstead Cheese
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Parsley & Garlic Linguini from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.
Add-on Fruits of the Week - Nectarines from Kimball Fruit Farm, Plums from Abundance Farm
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - English Muffins from Something Sweet Without the Wheat
Add-on Grain of the Week - Bagels from Forage
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Lemon and Artichoke Pesto from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Raspberry Cheese Pockets from Big Sky Bread Co.
Add-on Sausage of the Week - Spicy Fennel Sausage from Colvard & Co.
Add-on Treat of the Week - Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Two Fat Cats Bakery
Add-on Vegetarian Salad of the Week - White Bean from Rosemont Market & Bakery
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Sirloin Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Sirloin Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Tempeh from Rhapsody Natural Foods; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery
Fruits and Veggies - Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes from Snell Family Farm; Fresh Yellow Onions from South Paw Farm; Savoy Cabbage from Jordan's Farm; Raspberries from Fairwinds Farm; Lettuce Mix from Goranson Farm (Paleo Shares only); Yellow Summer Squash from Snell Family Farm (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Oat Bran Bread from Big Sky Bread Co.
Special Treats - Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Two Fat Cats Bakery
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Sirloin Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Monkfish from True Fin*; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Sirloin Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Tempeh from Rhapsody Natural Foods; Four Cheese Ravioli from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes from Snell Family Farm; Fresh Yellow Onions from South Paw Farm; Savoy Cabbage from Jordan's Farm; Raspberries from Fairwinds Farm; Lettuce Mix from Goranson Farm; Yellow Summer Squash from Snell Family Farm; Starry Night Acorn Squash from South Paw Farm (Paleo Shares only); Nectarines from Kimball Fruit Farm (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Oat Bran Bread from Big Sky Bread Co.
Special Treats - Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Two Fat Cats Bakery; Blueberry Muffins from Big Sky Bread Co.
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Sirloin Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Ground Chicken from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Feta from Maplebrook Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Monkfish from True Fin*; Lobster Bisque from Red's Best Seafood; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Feta from Maplebrook Farm
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Sirloin Tips from Pine Ridge Acres; Salmon from Harbor Fish Market; Ground Chicken from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Tempeh from Rhapsody Natural Foods; Four Cheese Ravioli from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.; Pierogi from Jaju; Greek Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Feta from Maplebrook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes from Snell Family Farm; Fresh Yellow Onions from South Paw Farm; Savoy Cabbage from Jordan's Farm; Raspberries from Fairwinds Farm; Lettuce Mix from Goranson Farm; Yellow Summer Squash from Snell Family Farm; Starry Night Acorn Squash from South Paw Farm; Nectarines from Kimball Fruit Farm
Grains - Oat Bran Bread from Big Sky Bread Co.; Wild Blueberry Walnut Crisps from Maine Crisps
Special Treats - Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Two Fat Cats Bakery; Blueberry Muffins from Big Sky Bread Co.
*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)
Marinated Steak Tips - Scratch cooking with whole ingredients is pretty great. But there are some food memories that require... shortcuts. This is one of them. The sirloin tip steaks that most of you are getting will be very well suited to this method. Keep them whole or slice to the size of your choosing before marinating.
Grilled Nectarine Salad - Might as well grill some nectarines if you're grilling some steak tips. And I'd absolutely throw dem steak tips on top of this salad.
Burst Cherry Tomato Panzanella - We generally have some ends of crusty bread in the freezer and we generally will do something like this with 'em. Easy, tasty, satisfying. Bam.
Savoy Cabbage Rolls - Super fun cooking project. I'll also say that charred as heck cabbage is one of the best things on earth.
Raspberry Margaritas - Margaritas are the way I hang onto summer. And not only will this version not disappoint, it may also leave you with some leftover raspberry simple syrup that you can reduce https://www.foodnetwork.com/
Yogurt Pancakes - Speaking of pancakes...
Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.