"Seeding" Hope

Good Afternoon Friends,

In the midst of the horror unfolding in Ukraine, we found ourselves desperate for something to latch our hopes and humanity to. We found it, hope that is, in the smallest glimmer, from Chef Jose Andres and his non-profit World Central Kitchen. Chef Andres, Michelin star chef and the winner of multiple James Beard Awards, started WCK in 2010 to address the humanitarian crisis in Haiti after an earthquake devastated the region.  They are now in Ukraine: 

"Working at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in southern Poland, WCK began serving hot, nourishing meals within hours of the initial invasion and are now set up at eight border crossings across the country. Additionally, we are supporting local restaurants preparing meals in five Ukrainian cities including in Odessa and Lviv. WCK teams are also on the ground in Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and arriving soon to Slovakia to see how we can best support.

As the situation continues to evolve, WCK will continue to help in the best way we know how, with a freshly prepared plate of food—and we're ready to expand our support for families in need."

This morning Family Dinner donated $3 for every share we will deliver this weekend, $1896, to this amazing effort. It's the smallest drop but it gives us hope. Thank you for allowing us to do this. 

If you have a moment of time, please check out their site. Let their heroism buoy your heavy heart.

Much Love,

Erin, Tim and the Family Dinner Fam

Seeding Hope

From Shannon and Joe 

When Joe came on as our GM for Southern Maine and Seacoast New Hampshire, I told him the two toughest times as a produce buyer would be during the Holidays, when half our vendors go on a much deserved break, and the drab month of March. At this point, we question if we could have made it in a time before refrigeration and the modern comforts that have given us access to pretty much any foods we want, any time of year. We look for signs of spring, the first pokes of daffodils coming out of the ground, and talk about the warmer days to come. But first we have to get through this seemingly longest of months. 

However, while we are faced with existential dread for any more storage crops, our farmer friends are hard at work seeding our future dinners! Greenhouses are filling with trays of new hope and possibilities for the coming season. This week, I caught up with some farmer friends to ask how their pre-season is going and what they are up to!

Alex and Stacey, Iron Ox Farm -  Hamilton, MA

• This past year Alex and Stacey (and baby Sebastian) started farming on a 99-year leased land from the Green Belt of Essex County where they are working "to conserve the land, protect the watershed, and provide access to trails to the public." While they are not seeding yet, once the plastic skin goes up on their new greenhouse they will be seeding greens and radishes "ASAP!"
• Stacey's favorite veg to seed is radicchio, especially the castlefranco varieties. For Alex, "Onions are definitely a favorite. They get seeded at the tail end of the winter get harvested in the height of summer and store through the winter. Gotta admire their resilience."

Elizabeth Stephens, Family Dinner VegLine Packer and Farmer at Cedar Rock Gardens - Gloucester, MA

• This week, at CRG, they seeded onions, shallots, and leeks! The picture above is of their greenhouse as of Wednesday!

• For Elizabeth, her favorites are: "calendula because their seeds look like little bones or antlers, but also love planting and watching tomato and seeds because there's so much variety!"

• Elizabeth is entering her 5th farming season and blessed us with many of her puns all winter while packing but her favorite farming one? "I mean I do love to say I'm getting up to some seedy business."

Beth Schiller, Dandelion Spring Farm - Bowdoinham, ME

• Right now at Dandelion Spring they are planting Gem lettuces, baby butter heads, lettuces for cut salad mix, bok choi, scallions, Fairytale eggplant, and lots of herbs!
• Beth's favorite plant to seed is "Ashwagandha! It is a slow starter. Tiny little seeds that can take 3 weeks to germinate. It grows very slowly. We get a single harvest from it in the Fall for its roots. It is a plant that many people experience as giving strength and balance and I think it also symbolizes that in its life cycle."
• Beth, is going into her 24th season. She "went to a farm for an apprenticeship in 1998 and didn't stop farming!  Dandelion Spring was founded in 2002, but our first season here in Bowdoinham was in 2018 so we feel both like we are middle aged and young at the same time!" You should definitely check out their Instagram for some really amazing shots of their farm! 

I can attest for the addictive optimism that comes from starting seeds. On my own farm I have already started over 15 varieties of flowers along with celery and the first peppers. Every handful of seeds, holds a multitude of possibilities. While we have to be patient for spring and the end of the frosts, know that our farmer friends are hard at work getting our summer plates ready. And Joe and I are scouring every availability list looking for the first bunched items of the year! 

WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (MA)

Delivery dates: Saturday, 3/5 and Tuesday, 3/8

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 - Wheat Bread frpm Forge 
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Feta from Maplebrook
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Garganelle from Valicenti
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Natural Spaghetti from Valicenti
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Original Hummus from Just Hummus
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Cranberry Cream Scone from Forge
Add-on Vegetarian Soup of the Week - Black Bean Chipotle Soup

HALF SHARE

Omnivore Protein - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Monkfish from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins - Masoor from Bombay Brunch; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Proteins - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Lettuce from Queen's Greens and Gotham Greens; Apples from Champlain Orchard; Sweet Potatoes from Brookford Farm and Heron Pond; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms and Long Wind Farm
Grain - Pita from Sharonna Bakery
Special Treat - Caramels from McCrea's

WHOLE SHARE 

Omnivore Protein - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Monkfish from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from many farms
Pescatarian Protein - Monkfish, Haddock from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from many farms
Vegetarian Proteins - Masoor from Bombay Brunch; Tempeh Bacon from Forge; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from many farms
Paleo Proteins - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Monkfish from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Lettuce from Queen's Greens and Gotham Greens; Apples from Champlain Orchard; Sweet Potatoes from Brookford Farm and Heron Pond; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms and Long Wind Farm; Cabbage from Brookford Farm; Parsnips from Four Towns Farm
Grain - Pita from Sharonna Bakery
Special Treat - Caramels from McCrea's; Coconut Chocolate Macaroons from Do Good Kitchen

DOUBLE SHARE

Omnivore Protein - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Monkfish from Red's; Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from many farms; Yogurt from Sophia's
Pescatarian Protein - Monkfish, Haddock, Salmon from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from many farms; Yogurt from Sophia's
Vegetarian Proteins - Masoor from Bombay Brunch; Tempeh Bacon from Forge; Shiitake Pot Pies from Dunk's Mushrooms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Cheese from many farms; Yogurt from Sophia's
Paleo Proteins - Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Monkfish from Red's; Chicken Sausage from Tide Mill; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Lettuce from Queen's Greens and Gotham Greens; Apples from Champlain Orchard; Sweet Potatoes from Brookford Farm and Heron Pond; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms and Long Wind Farm; Cabbage from Brookford Farm; Parsnips from Four Towns Farm; Greens from Oasis Spring Farm; Shallots from Checkerberry Farm
Grain - Pita from Sharonna Bakery; Granola from Forge
Special Treat - Caramels from McCrea's; Coconut Chocolate Macaroons from Do Good Kitchen

WHAT'S IN THE BAG? (ME/NH)

Delivery date: Saturday, 3/5

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 - English Muffin Bread from Big Sky Bread Company
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Little Hosmer from Jasper Hill
Add-on Gluten Free Grain of the Week - Popcorn from Popzup
Add-on Grain of the Week - Sourdough Boule from Rosemont Market & Bakery
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Sticky Buns from Big Sky Bread Company
Add-on Vegetarian Soup of the Week - Chipotle Black Bean Soup
Add-on Treat of the Week - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Big Sky Bread Company

HALF SHARE

Omnivore Protein & Dairy - Bacon from Broad Arrow; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Tuna from Harbor Fish; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm
Paleo Proteins - Bacon from Broad Arrow; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Roasted Mushroom Jiaozi (Dumplings) from Little Brother Chinese Food; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Frozen Wild Blueberries from Burke Hill Farm; Sweet Potatoes from Snell; Kale from Oasis Springs Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Garlic from Alprilla Farm*; Watermelon Radish from Harvest Tide Organics*
Grains - Bagels from Forage
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Big Sky Bread Company

WHOLE SHARE 

Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Bacon from Broad Arrow; Tuna from Harbor Fish; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Tuna from Harbor Fish; Cod from True Fin; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Paleo Proteins - Bacon from Broad Arrow; Tuna from Harbor Fish; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Vegetarian Proteins & Dairy - Roasted Mushroom Jiaozi (Dumplings) from Little Brother Chinese Food; Tofu from Heiwa; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Frozen Wild Blueberries from Burke Hill Farm; Sweet Potatoes from Snell; Kale from Oasis Springs Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Garlic from Alprilla Farm; Watermelon Radish from Harvest Tide Organics; Kohlrabi from Harvest Tide Organics*; Shallots from Checkerberry Farm*
Grains - Bagels from Forage
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Big Sky Bread Company; Walnut Brownies from Rosemont Market & Bakery

DOUBLE SHARE

Omnivore Proteins & Dairy - Bacon from Broad Arrow; Tuna from Harbor Fish; Ground Beef from Pine Ridge Acres; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery
Pescatarian Proteins & Dairy - Tuna from Harbor Fish; Cod from True Fin; Mackerel from True Fin; Cream Cheese from Springdale Farm; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Yogurt from Silvery Moon Creamery
Paleo Proteins - Bacon from Broad Arrow; Tuna from Harbor Fish; Ground Beef from Pine Ridge Acres; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Frozen Wild Blueberries from Burke Hill Farm; Sweet Potatoes from Snell; Kale from Oasis Springs Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Garlic from Alprilla Farm; Watermelon Radish from Harvest Tide Organics; Kohlrabi from Harvest Tide Organics; Shallots from Checkerberry Farm; Parsnips from Two Farmers Farm*; Acorn Squash from Green Meadow Farm*
Grains - Bagels from Forage; Pasta from Amolitta
Special Treats - Chocolate Chip Cookies from Big Sky Bread Company; Walnut Brownies from Rosemont Market & Bakery

*Paleo shares only

RECIPES (MA)

(from Shannon)

Pita Sammies - If you can hold off on straight up eating the pita as soon as it comes in, they are an excellent way to use up leftovers or make a play on a steak and cheese with this week's ground beef and cheese or use the Mezze of the Week and leftover carrots? The possibilities are endless! 

Monkfish "Lobster Rolls" - A Staff favorite and one that I will always re-share when we have Monkfish in the shares! 

Napa Cabbage Wedge with Sesame Ranch - Over the past two years has become one of my favorite veg as it is so versatile and the leftover only seem to get better with time! Try this wedge recipe or as a slaw, you can't go wrong! 

Crispy Shallots - Add.on.top.of.everything.you.are.welcome. :) 

Baked Sweet Potatoes - These have become my dad's all time favorite dinner side and he keeps requesting I try to grow my own sweet potatoes. (It seems to be one of the few plants that I just can't crack.)

Baked Apples - Sometimes that sweet tooth kicks in and then it's the perfect time to pull out this recipe! 

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

RECIPES (ME/NH)

(from Joe)