2023 CSA Season Week Five

July 4, 2023

We have officially made it to July, and it is hot, hot, hot! The Fourth of July is today, summer is ramping up, and our veggies have definitely gotten the memo. We hope you’re finding ways to stay cool and celebrating with family, friends, and great food.

Special Announcements

Please make sure you remember to check your name off the list, so we know you got your share! We only pack enough veggies for the names that are on the list, so if your name isn’t there, please do not take a box! Reach out to the farm at [email protected] and I’ll get back to you the next business day. I do understand it can be frustrating to not see your name on the list, and we appreciate you reaching out to us rather than taking a share. We definitely want to make it right, so please let me know so we can find out what happened.

On the same note, if you don’t see the shares, give your site host a call! The sun is hot, and there may be instances where they move the boxes to a shadier place to keep them cool. If there is a problem, that will alert the site host as well, so they can alert the farm.

Happy Fourth of July!

” We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”-Declaration of Independence, United States 1776

Did you know that the Declaration of Independence wasn’t actually signed on July 4th? Written by three of our founding fathers (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin), the Declaration was drafted in July and our freedom was adopted on the fourth, but the document itself wasn’t actually signed until August 2, 1776 by members of Congress. The first of the fifty-six delegates to sign was John Hancock, the president of the Congress. He signed his name in big, bold letters, and now, two-hundred and forty-seven years later, we say “Put your John Hancock there” when asking for a signature. Hancock was the first to sign, but not the last. The Declaration of Independence was finally made official after all delegates of the Continental Congress had signed on August 4, 1776.

July is a month of Independence Days the world over. Here in the States, the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Up north, Canada Day is July 1, celebrating the beginning of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. In France, Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14, commemorating the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. These days, we celebrate with fireworks and barbecues, rodeos and yard games, good food and great friends. Stay safe this Fourth of July as we celebrate being in the Land of the Free because of the Brave.

A big shoutout to everyone who came to see us at the markets!

Last week, we had strawberries to sell at market, since they’d finally stopped taking their nap. We sent out a call on social media, and boy, did you answer! The line formed and the veggies were enjoyed by all. For those who stopped in at the Eugene Farm Stand last Wednesday, we appreciate you!

We would love to see all of you at our markets! Let the vendors know you’re a CSA member, and you’ll get 10% off your purchase! We will be at the Eugene Farm Stand at 18th and Polk on Wednesday afternoons, the Lane County Farmers’ Market in Eugene on Saturdays, and the King Farmers’ Market in Portland on Sundays! Come on down and say hi!

Kate at the Lane County Farmers’ Market

Don’t forget to let us know if you’re going on vacation!

We understand things come up and people have vacations, especially in summer, so we’re more than willing to accommodate your schedule if we can. If you’re going on vacation or unable to pickup, we can send the box to a different location, donate the share to Food for Lane County, or issue a credit toward next season’s share. Please make sure to let me know at least 7 days before your regularly scheduled share. (If you pick up on Tuesday, but you’re changing to Friday that week, please tell me no later than the previous TUESDAY.) We plan for harvest and pull the lists well in advance, so to keep things going smooth, we’re unable to process requests made after that 7-day deadline.

        I will be in South Africa the last half of August, so please get your vacation days for Weeks 10 through 13 (August 8 through September 4) to me by August 1st so I can get them entered. If vacation requests for that time frame are submitted after August 1st, they will unfortunately NOT be processed. Thank you for your time and consideration! 

What’s in your box this week:

  • Raspberries
  • Broccoli
  • Onions
  • Beets
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Green Onions

Handy Tips:

  • Broccoli: Wrap the broccoli loosely in a plastic bag and keep it in the veggie bin or your fridge. Don’t use an air-tight bag, as broccoli continues to respire after being harvested and needs room to breathe. It will keep for over a week, but is firmest and tastiest if used within a few days. To make sure your broccoli is fully cleaned and not carrying any tag-alongs from the farm, soak broccoli immediately before cooking, head down, in cold, salted water for 5 minutes. Broccoli can be steamed, stir-fried, or eaten raw. For salads or veggie platters, try blanching in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, then chill. You can add broccoli to soups and stews in the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time.

What We’re Making This Week:

  • Broccoli is one of those veggies that people (especially kiddos) either love or hate, but these Air Fryer Broccoli Tots may just win them over!
  • If you’ve been with us the last couple years, you’ll know I love anything stuffed. With that in mind, these Stuffed Sweet Onions with Bacon look amazing!
  • Looking for a colorful side to add to your table? Try this beautiful Beet Risotto!

What are you making?

One of our members made this amazing bok choi salad, and oh, man! It’s making me hungry. What are you making? We would love to see the meals you’ve cooked up and maybe even share the recipes with our CSA family! If you’re making something fun, shoot me an email or tag us on social media. You can reach us at [email protected], or @wintergreenfarm on Facebook and Instagram.

The energy here at the farm is buzzing, and we’re working hard and early to beat the heat! We hope you’re enjoying your week and have a wonderful, safe, holiday.

Many blessings,

Chelsea and your Winter Green farmers