geraldson logoLocal Food Buying Club logo Gamble Creek Farm logo
Florida West Coast RC&D Newsletter
December 4, 2011
In This Issue
Farms go to Market
Eat Local Article from TBT
Geraldson Author Book Signing
Share the Harvest with Local Food Banks
Buying Club News - Order this Week
Gift Certificates Spread the "eat local" Message
Scholarship Deadline Extended
Quick Links



Phillippi Farmhouse Market  
Farmers market stall
Check out our produce on Wednesdays from 9am until 2pm at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market in Sarasota. Both Gamble Creek Farm and Geraldson Community Farm participate in this local market.
The Beets are in at Geraldson Community Farm!
generous beet harvest at Geraldson Community Farm
Some sources tell us that beets have been in cultivation for over 4000 years! The beet root is eaten cooked or raw, and the greens are also quite tasty. Greens can be prepared similar to spinach or swiss chard; that is, either served raw in a salad, or blanched and/or sauteed, perhaps with some garlic and olive oil. 
 
Nutritionally beets are low in calories, low in fat, and the beet root is the vegetable with the highest sugar content. Beet greens provide carotenoids, flavonoid anti-oxidants, and vitamin A (all good for eyesight). Raw beets are an excellent source of folates. Beets contain lots of vitamin C and minerals including iron, mangesium and potassium. 
 
beet divider strip
Join Geraldson Community Farm and Eat Local
Published Saturday, November 5, 2011 2:05 am
CSA vegetables
There are few things that can benefit the local economy, reduce our carbon footprint and protect our ability to maintain a healthy and adequate food supply as buying local, sustainably-farmed foods. Read article
Red Peppers
Greetings!

All of us at the Florida West Coast RC&D wish you a joyous holiday season, and remind you to "buy local" to keep your dollars in our community. We want you to be aware of all that the Florida West Coast RC&D has to offer; in addition to our two CSA Farms and Buying Club, we also provide beginning farmer training and apprenticeships.
Author Book Signing at Geraldson Community Farm this Week         Wednesday Dec 7 and Saturday Dec 10 

Member Ellen Jaffe Jones will sign her book "Eat Vegan on $4 a 
Book cover Eat Vegan on $4 a Day
Day" and will generously donate $5 for each book sold to the New Barn Fund at Geraldson's Community Farm. This is a great holiday gift. 

Ellen tells us "I am very honored that The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine one of the largest group of doctors and registered dietitians in the country,used  2 of "Eat Vegan on $4 a Day" recipes for The Cancer Project Thanksgiving Menu recipes." 
 
Opportunity to share with Food Banks
Green & Yellow Beans
Both farms are partnering with our local food banks to provide a dedicated 1/4 acres worth of healthy produce. You can boost this effort by donating a share (or two) yourself. Online donation forms are available at both farm websites. 

To donate from 
Gamble Creek Farm click here  
Gamble Creek Farm is partnering with All Faiths Food Bank
 
 
To donate from 
Geraldson Community Farm click here  
The Community Farm is partnering with Food Bank of Manatee
 
Local Food Buying Club December 
Local Grass-fed Beef on sale in December!   $5.25 ground beef to $15 steak cuts  
A sampling of other available products:
Raw Milk (for pet consumption) $4/half  $7/gallon, Butter $10, Farmer Cheese, Yogurt, Buttermilk and more.
Local Raw Unfiltered Honey $5/half pint - $14/quart with various infusions available
Soaps, Lip Balm, Salves, Gift bags available from 4-Bees Herbs
Poultry - full chicken pre-order $3.29/lb  
Eggs $3/dozen 
Turkeys $3.00/lb or $35 Bourbon Red Heritage Hens 8-10lbs
Buffalo $4.99/lb soup bones to $22.99 filet mignon steak
Seafood $13.99 sushi grade tuna, $19.99 Grouper, Crab Cakes..
Mote Marine Caviar starting at $60/2oz jar
Sauerkraut various flavors $8/pint
Mango Jams $4/8oz Various baked goods from Bonni Bakes
Holiday Assorted Fudge Box $10/12 oz. and more
Fresh Chevre (for pet comsumption) in various flavors $6/4oz.
Fresh Feta Slices $7/half cup Goat Yogurt, Goat Milk $6/halfGal
 

 

To become a member of the Local Food Buying Club click here. It costs $25 for a one-year membership ($20 if you already have a Farm Share). All costs are passed directly on to you from the farms that supply us. There is a slight handling fee based on number of items purchased.

This month's orders are being taken this week, so take advantage of this opportunity to join NOW!
You don't need to be a farm member to join the Buying Club 

 

There are a limited number of December Turkeys available from Ben Pate's farm in Ruskin. Join the club and order yours today.
 
Local Food Buying Club logo
Gift Certificates: A great way to discover "eat local"...
One Week Share Gift Certificate Gamble Creek Farm
Help your friends make the "eat local" switch with a Gift Certificate to one of our farms.
One week share certificates are available for $25. The recipient simply needs to call 2 days ahead to the RC&D office the week they wish to redeem the certificate.

Pickup options: Wednesday 3pm-6pm  (call on Monday)

or  Saturday 11am-2pm  (call on Thursday)

Gamble Creek Farm 14590 Golf Course Road, Parrish

 

One Week Share Gift Certificate Geraldson Community Farm  To redeem a gift certificate: Call 941-981-0111 or e-mail  Marianne@fwcrcd.org at least 72 hours before you wish to pick up your vegetable share. 

  

Pickup options: Wednesday 3pm-6pm  (call on Monday)

or  Saturday 11am-2pm  (call on Thursday)

 

Geraldson Community Farm 1401 99th Street NW, Bradenton 

or Downtown Sarasota, WSLR 525 Kumquat Ct. 

  

Harvest lists are available the Tuesday of the week of pick-up online at www.GeraldsonCommunityFarm.org under "Members" and "Weekly Harvest"

 

Gift Certificates expire April 28, 2012

Training Opportunities for
Beginning Farmers
Application deadline has been extended to Dec. 10 for 5 "traditionally underserved" producers to attend the 21st annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms  conference in Little Rock, Arkansas January  2012. 
Sustainable Ag Conf. Logo 2012
Scholarships are available to cover travel, lodging and basic conference cost to the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference for traditionally underserved farmers. This category includes new and beginning farmers, women producers, African-American producers, Hispanic producers, Native American producers, small acreage producers, and/or limited resource producers.

Reply to this e-mail for more information on the scholarships - which include travel and lodging.
There is a lot going on at our community farms - if you are not a member already, come join us - you'll be glad you did!
 
Sincerely,
 
Karen Fraley, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Florida West Coast RC&D Council