Vegetable Highlights Asparagus has finally made it's arrival and how delicious it is! Asparagus or sparrow grass as our ancestors 
who harvested it wild in the British Isles called it, was first used medicinally. It was bitter and used as an excellent diuretic. The asparagus we eat today has lost it's bitterness and reflects centuries of selecting for sweeter varieties. In cultures around the world, this harbinger of spring is routinely included in celebratory feasts of renewal. Grown by 4th generation farmers Jim & Deborah Durst at the mouth of the Capay Valley. They strongly believe in farming techniques that build soil fertility while balancing wildlife and insect ecology. The farm practices are based on the maxim "Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants." With Washington Navals coming to a close for the season, we joyfully welcome the "summer orange" Valencia. Typically Valencia's are used for juicing, but these are just as good peeled and eaten as a snack. We are always looking for new farmers and Didar Khalsa from Guru Ram Das Orchards in Esparto is our latest addition. Here's a link to a great article featuring his farm and philosophy. From our farm this week we have gorgeous "bouquets" of spinach, tatsoi and bunches of green garlic. We've finally got in quantities of Nantes carrots that you've all been waiting for. Greens, onions, artichokes, lettuce and radishes will grace our produce tables this week. CSA/Grain Shares - we are continuing our campaign to bring grain to our region both in the form of food and seed! LATEST UPDATE: So far we are about a HALF way to our goal of 30 committed supporters to participate in our CSA/Grain share. We need more supporters to make this thing really fly and have decided to lower the $ amount of the shares to $250. We have a unique opportunity to partner with John DeRosier of With The Grain, a certified organic and bio-dynamic grain farmer, and bring local grains and beans to our community. (See his bio below). We are really excited to bring this important component of food security and sustainability into Outer Aisle. We hadn't realized until this past weekend with John how crucial and important it is to act now! We hope you will respond with enthusiasm too and trust that our judgment alone will be enough of a guarantee. To demonstrate our commitment to the success of this relationship Outer Aisle is purchasing 10 shares! Here's how it works: Following in the footsteps of our recent success in community financing, where we raised enough upfront capital to put solar on our store by selling "futures" and paying participants back in Outer Aisle purchases, thereby creating a win-win situation. The CSA/Grain Shares will cost $500 (or special offer $250). This will buy you a $200/$100 share of grain seed and beans received in 3 increments over the next three years. The grains that would be included would be a combination of heirloom wheats, oats, barley, rye, millet, corn, lentils, peas, and dry beans in 10, 20 and 20lb increments. The other $300/$150 share will be in Outer Aisle purchases with no time limit. This is available to existing CSA delivery customers, CSA members that shop at our store and the general public. Win-win-win benefits for all: - You receive the full $500/$250 back in food (a portion in grain over a period of time and the other in Outer Aisle purchases with no time limit)
- John receives upfront money during a time of difficulty
- Outer Aisle receives your continued commitment
- We together create a model financing system.
Multiple benefits abound: - Pioneering a micro-loan financing model that will not only help John continue his important work, but provide a sound model for future projects/businesses.
- Establish a direct supply connection between Outer Aisle and With the Grain. We'll have his grains and beans on our shelf and other customers get the health benefits too.
- Provide a local source of hard-to-find heirloom varieties of grains and beans that are adapted to human scale production (ie. home gardening) and adapted to our regional climate. These seeds will be used to increase local production of grains and beans on a larger scale bringing back this important crop closer to home.
- Provide a source of bulk seeds for distributing through our store and seed share events for everyone in the community to grow.
- John's extensive knowledge will bring an important educational element to our community.
INTERESTED IN FRESH UNPASTURIZED GOATS MILK?
Leslie Cardoza from Angels Camp has a goat dairy and supplies milk in glass quart jars. It is delicious and does not have the "goaty" flavor you may think! She has volumes to spare on a weekly basis and we urge you to contact her directly for more information and to set up a regular milk pickup. Although we can't sell it legally, we can store it in our refrigerator for you to pick it up on a weekly basis. Convenient, local and yummy!
Leslie Cardoza, phone: 770-2222
ORVIS GRASS-FED BEEF has arrived! click here for the pricing sheet .
Twain Harte Market is processing Orvis Beef and it comes to us in 25 lb boxes, frozen. Place your order with us by emailing according to the following directions. (Please email questions). Choose what you want and how many pounds for a total of 25 or more pounds. Specify how many to a package, ie. two steaks or 1lb ground per package. Once your order is placed, we will let you know when you can pick it up from Outer Aisle. (Up to two weeks wait).
Daylight Saving Hours: Back to normal hours: Thursday 11 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm.
Please recycle your clean egg cartons and large paper sacks!
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Outer Aisle FOODS & GOODS "Essentials for the 21st Century".
Our mission is to facilitate a speedy transition to a sustainable
economy by offering the essential tools, ingredients and knowledge to
prepare us for the 21st century.