2022 CSA Season Week Eighteen

October 4, 2022

We’re almost there! We’ve reached the last two weeks of the Standard Season, and we cannot tell you how appreciative we are that you’ve been with us this year! It’s been a year of transitions with the new website and office system, plus this was my first season without Linda in the office. I so appreciate all the kindness and understanding as we work out technical glitches with these two systems, and I navigate the season’s unforeseen complications. You all have been amazing! 

Special Announcements

I will be out of the country for the rest of this week, so if you have any questions or vacation needs, I will take care of them when I’m back in the office next Monday. I can still make changes to next Friday if they come in 7 days in advance, but because I won’t be in the office, I cannot make any more changes to the Tuesday/Wednesday schedule of next week (October 11/12). If you are only signed up for the Standard Season, we aren’t able to switch delivery weeks in the Extended Season if you aren’t able to pick up your box.

Next week is the last week of the Standard Season, and your pickup dates for the LAST WEEK OF THE STANDARD SEASON are as follows:

  • Tuesday: October 11
  • Wednesday: October 12 (Last day for Eugene Farm Stand and Portland residential sites)
  • Friday: October 14
  • Saturday: October 15
  • Sunday October 16

The following week after the above dates, the Extended Season will begin. Please note, we will not have any Tuesday/Wednesday deliveries in the Extended Season. If you currently pickup on Tuesday/Wednesday and you’re signed up for the Extended Season, you will switch to Friday/Saturday/Sunday (October 21/22/23) the next week. You will NOT pickup on Tuesday/Wednesday of that week. More information on the Extended Season further down.

We Have Apples this Week!

We’ve partnered with Mt. Hood Organic Farms to bring you apples these next two weeks! Mt. Hood Organic Farms is located at the base of Mt. Hood in the Upper Hood River Valley. They’ve been around since the turn of the century, and their gorgeous grounds are perfect for both growing fruit and hosting beautiful wedding venues. Their pear and apple orchards boast near one hundred different varieties, and we’re so thrilled we get to offer you a taste of their magnificent, organic, biodynamic produce. If you’d like to know more, visit their website to learn more about their awesome operation!

Extended Season Information

We’re almost to the Extended Season! If you’ve signed up to join us for the last five weeks between October and November, your delivery site may be changing. Coast drop offs will be on Fridays in Florence or Mapleton. Portland deliveries will be on Sundays at the King Market, and Eugene deliveries will either be on Friday at a residential site, or on Saturday at the Lane County Farmers’ Market. More information has been sent to you by email. Please reach out and let me know if you still have any questions. (Please note, the Eugene Farm Stand at 18th and Polk is only open through the Standard Season.)

For those Portland folks who may have missed all the emails and blogs earlier this season, we had to pull out of the Hollywood Market this year because we couldn’t find enough staff to work the booth. We are so sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, and we completely understand that it does put some of you out during the Extended Season. The decision was a hard one, and we wish it could have been otherwise. Believe me, we looked hard. At this time, we have no plans to join the Hollywood market next year.

Interested in joining us for the 2023 CSA Season?

As the 2022 CSA Season is winding down, we’re starting to think ahead to the 2023 CSA Season. Are you interested in joining us next year? Let me know! Right now, I’m just making a list, so shoot me an email at [email protected] and I’ll get you on the list. If you want to change your share type or pickup location for next year, be sure to note that in your email. Otherwise, I’ll put you on the list for the same share and location as you have this year. Reservations are only open to current members right now, and they’re still first come, first serve. (Please note: because so many things change in our members’ lives, we are not doing any kind of automatic signup. You will need to reach out and let me know, then complete the signup process after the new year to be included in next season.) Let me know if you would like to join us for the Standard Season or the Extended Season in 2023!

Come See Us to Celebrate the Harvest this Year!

These past few years, we’ve been super bummed to not be able to celebrate the season with you all in person. But this year, that’s all changing! On Saturday, October 22nd, we’re having a Harvest Festival Potluck! Bring your favorite dish, grab your friends, and come see us out at the farm! We’ll have cider, hayride tours, and lots of great people to hang out with. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

What’s in your box this week:

  • Delicata squash
  • Carrots
  • Turnips
  • Leeks
  • Swiss Chard
  • Apples
  • Onions
  • Stir Fry mix

Some sites only:

  • Cauliflower

We aren’t always able to harvest our veggies in equal share, but we are doing our very best! With only this week and next week left for the Standard Season, we are trying as hard as we can to get everyone as many veggies as we can fit in your boxes this week. (Please note: some of the veggies did change from Monday’s email, but hopefully for the better! Because I will be out of town, there will be no estimate email this Thursday.) Thank you all so much for your understanding!

Handy Tips

  • Turnips: Cut turnip greens from their roots and store separately. Keep dry, unwashed greens in a sealed plastic bag in your fridge. Thicker greens will keep up to two weeks. Tender greens should be eaten within a week. To store turnips, place them (unwashed) in a plastic bag in the crisper bin of your fridge. Due to high water content, turnips may deteriorate quickly, but most should keep for a week.
  • Apples: Apples are an incredibly versatile fruit. They can be eaten plain, made into juice or sauce, or turned into ciders, vinegars, or alcohols. They can be dried and saved for later, or baked into your favorite treats. Apples can be stored at room temperature for a short amount of time, but check on them frequently to make sure they haven’t begun to rot. For the best results, sprinkle your apples with water, place them in a perforated plastic bag, and then store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator. They should keep for 2 to 3 weeks.

What We’re Making this Week:

  • Sometimes, you don’t really need the meat, but you still want tons of veggies. This Root Vegetable Gratin may do the trick!

What are you making?

Last week, I posted this Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe, and boy was it delicious! It had just enough spice to keep it interesting, and the flavor was great. What are you making? Send us a picture ([email protected]) and you might see it on our blog or social media! You can find us on Instagram (@wintergreenfarm) or on Facebook (Winter Green Farm). We would love to see what you’re cooking up!

As we round the corner to the end of the Standard Season, we just want to wish you all the best with your holiday season. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so much fun to work with. We can’t tell you how grateful we are that you’ve allowed us to tag along on your food journey with you this season.

Many blessings,

Chelsea and your Winter Green farmers