Laboring on Labor Day
At Family Dinner, we often say that there is something for everyone in the story of local food. Whether you are passionate about the environment, food miles, the ethical and loving treatment of animals or simply delicious tasting food, there is a chapter for you in this tale.
A lesser-seen underpinning to all of this, perhaps the paper this story is penned on, is the topic of workers' rights. This is an issue of gnarled complexity in the National food system and in industrialized agriculture.
There are roughly 2,500,000 farm workers in the United States according to the 2017 census. 68% of these folks are immigrants and approximately 36% of them lack authorized work status under U.S Laws. This status comes with myriad predictable hurdles; mistreatment in the workplace, lack of time off, lack of access to consistent medical care, exposure to dangerous chemicals, insufficient housing and the list spirals onward.
We are proud to work with small farmers and producers who are on the right side of this important issue. We also want to share resources for you to learn more about what is happening at the national scale:
Please check out the folks at Farmworker Justice and Migrant Justice to learn about their fight and their many accomplishments.
Family Dinner has made a donation to support each on this Labor Day.
Happy Labor Day friends, we hope it's a beaut.
WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (MA)
Delivery dates: Saturday, 9/3 and Tuesday, 9/6
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 - Ciabatta from Iggy's
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Feta from Maplebrook Farm
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Shells from Seven Hills Pasta Co
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Cheddar Head Popcorn from Popzup
Add-on Grain of the Week - Brioche Buns from Iggy's
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Onion Dip from Magic Bites
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Brownies from Forge
Add-on Vegetarian Salad of the Week - Chickpea Salad from Forge
Add-on Fruit Share Fruits of the Week - Nectarines from Kimball Fruit Farm; Raspberries from Nourse Farm
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Hummus from Magic Bites
Pescatarian Protein - Fluke from Red's; Hummus from Magic Bites
Vegetarian Protein - Seitan Sujuk from Littleburg; Hummus from Magic Bites
Paleo Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Mushrooms from Fat Moon Farm; Onions from Langwater Farm; Tomatoes from Kitchen Garden Farm and Langwater Farm; Swiss Chard from Clark Farm
Grain - Crackers from Brewer's Crackers
Special Treat - Nuts from Q's
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Fluke from Red's; Hummus from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Fluke and Salmon from Red's; Hummus from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Protein - Seitan Sujuk from Littleburg; Empanadas from Buenas; Hummus from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Fluke from Red's;Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Mushrooms from Fat Moon Farm; Onions from Langwater Farm; Tomatoes from Kitchen Garden Farm and Langwater Farm; Swiss Chard from Clark Farm; Arugula from Clark Farm; Potatoes from Brookford Farm
Grain - Crackers from Brewer's Crackers
Special Treat - Nuts from Q's; Snickerdoodles from Forge
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Fluke from Red's; Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Hummus from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from Pineland Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Fluke, Salmon and Scallops from Red's; Hummus from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from Pineland Farms
Vegetarian Protein - Seitan Sujuk from Littleburg; Empanadas from Buenas; Hummus from Magic Bites; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from Pineland Farms
Paleo Protein - Chicken from Feather Brook Farms; Fluke from Red's; Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Mushrooms from Fat Moon Farm; Onions from Langwater Farm; Tomatoes from Kitchen Garden Farm and Langwater Farm; Swiss Chard from Clark Farm; Arugula from Clark Farm; Potatoes from Brookford Farm; Corn from Kimball Fruit Farm; Berries from Green Mountain Orchard and Kimball Fruit Farm
Grain - Crackers from Brewer's Crackers; Radiatori from Seven Hills Pasta Co.
Special Treat - Nuts from Q's; Snickerdoodles from Forge
RECIPES (MA)
(from Joe)
It's Labor Day weekend and we've got a whole lotta goodies for your cookout needs. And let's not loose sight of what we're celebrating. We owe a huge thank you to all the farmers and laborers out there who keep things moving. THANK YOU. 🙏
Cornell Chicken (Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce) - This is a staple summertime recipe in this house. Easy and incredibly tasty. Bonus: the sauce will give you a bit of leeway if you turn your back a bit too long while the chicken breast is on the grill.
Japanese Potato Salad - This is our absolute favorite potato salad. There's nothing overtly Japanese about it as all the ingredients have a very Western corollary. The addition of the cucumber and hard boiled eggs make this super addicting.
Arugula Salad with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Parmesan Cheese - Almost too basic to even call a recipe, this is dead simple and super tasty. It's a go to whenever top notch arugula is available.
Grilled Salmon With Chimichurri - I love chimichurri. It makes just about everything better and is easy as heck to prepare. Here, it's a great foil for the fatty salmon and dressing for the corn and tomatoes. Yes please/thanks.
Grilled Swiss Chard Stems - Grilling chard stems was a revelation to my household. If you're not into the anchovies, you could definitely sub with any vinaigrette (or chimichurri!).
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, 9/3
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 - Frozen Pizza Dough from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Brie from Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co.
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Egg Rotini from Terra Cotta Pasta Co.
Add-on Fruits of the Week - Plums from Uncle's Farm Stand, Strawberries from Fairwinds Farm
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Cheddar Head Popcorn from Popzup
Add-on Grain of the Week - Brioche Hamburger Buns from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Hummus from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Brownies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Sausage of the Week - Kielbasa from Clark Farm
Add-on Treat of the Week - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Vegetarian Salad of the Week - Chickpea Salad from Forge
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Pumpkin & Tofu Dumplings from Little Brother Chinese Food; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House
Fruits and Veggies - Mushrooms from Fruit of the Forest; Red Potatoes from Goranson; Bell Peppers from Goranson; Collard Greens from Dandelion Spring; Lucky Tiger Tomatoes from South Paw Farm (Paleo Shares only); Lettuce Mix from Dandelion Spring (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Conchiglie Rigate Pasta from Amolitta Pasta
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Hake from Harbor Fish Market; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Pumpkin & Tofu Dumplings from Little Brother Chinese Food; Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Mushrooms from Fruit of the Forest; Red Potatoes from Goranson; Bell Peppers from Goranson; Collard Greens from Dandelion Spring; Lucky Tiger Tomatoes from South Paw Farm; Lettuce Mix from Dandelion Spring; Corn from Warner Farm (Paleo Shares only); Bunched Carrots from Brookford Farm (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Conchiglie Rigate Pasta from Amolitta Pasta
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Nuttah Buttahs from Rosemont Market & Bakery
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Ground Beef from Pine Ridge Acres; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hot Sauce from Resurgam Fermentation
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Hake from Harbor Fish Market; Calamari from True Fin*; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hot Sauce from Resurgam Fermentation
Paleo Proteins & Dairy - Italian Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill Organic Farm; Halibut Steak from Harbor Fish Market; Ground Beef from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Pumpkin & Tofu Dumplings from Little Brother Chinese Food; Veggie Burgers from Blue Mango; Tofu from Heiwa; Mozzarella from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Hot Sauce from Resurgam Fermentation
Fruits and Veggies - Mushrooms from Fruit of the Forest; Red Potatoes from Goranson; Bell Peppers from Goranson; Collard Greens from Dandelion Spring; Lucky Tiger Tomatoes from South Paw Farm; Lettuce Mix from Dandelion Spring; Corn from Warner Farm; Bunched Carrots from Brookford Farm; Sweet Onions from Langewater Farm (Paleo Shares only); Orange Dew Melon form Wards Berry Farm (Paleo Shares only)
Grains - Conchiglie Rigate Pasta from Amolitta Pasta; Frozen Pizza Dough from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Rosemont Market & Bakery; Nuttah Buttahs from Rosemont Market & Bakery
*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)
It's Labor Day weekend and we've got a whole lotta goodies for your cookout needs. And let's not loose sight of what we're celebrating. We owe a huge thank you to all the farmers and laborers out there who keep things moving. THANK YOU. 🙏
Grilled Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions - One of the best summer time street meat meals out there. Oh... and it's Labor Day weekend. What could be more perfect?
Japanese Potato Salad - This is our absolute favorite potato salad. There's nothing overtly Japanese about it as all the ingredients have a very Western corollary. The addition of the cucumber and hard boiled eggs make this super addicting.
Caprese Pasta Salad - Caprese is magical. Three humble ingredients that, when combined, create one of the tastiest dishes that screams summer. Take that and cookout-ify it with some of the amazing conchiglie rigate pasta from Amolitta.
Grilled Halibut with Cherry Tomato and Corn Salsa - Just the combination of those words... damn, I'm hungry.
Sausage and Mozzarella Pizza - Labor Day is a good excuse for a pizza party, too. And with all the goodies in the shares this week, there're plenty of options for toppings. For the dough, defrost overnight in the fridge and then a few hours before you plan to shape it, let it rise, covered, on your counter. It'll be way easier to work with.
Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.