Tuesdays
Choice Style
3:00pm - 6:30pm
Pre-Boxed
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Farmer Dave's Farm
437 Parker Road
Dracut, MA
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Farm Notes
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Ginger's toddler Vivienne enjoying her cucumbers and zucchini.
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We received a heartwarming email from CSA member Rachel M. last week, on behalf of her two year old son, Paul. Rachel wanted to make sure we knew how much Paul loved his farm vegetables. Their family joined the CSA when Paul was just three weeks old, so he doesn't remember NOT being a CSA member.
"Yesterday, when we were eating some roasted beets, he kept asking for 'more beets Farmer Dave grow.'" Today, knowing we would be going to the farm to pick up more veggies, he asked me 'Farmer Dave on red tractor? Picking more kale?'".....All your veggies make me feel like a better parent -- I love it that because of our CSA share, Paul says things like "me like kohlrabi! me have kale smoomie? (smoothie)". So, from me and my son Paul, thank you for all the hard work you put into growing veggies for us!"
As farmers, this is a major reason why we do what we do and find our work so satisfying. We commonly hear about small children who have no idea that vegetables are anything but delicious. Toddlers look forward to the CSA box with just as much anticipation as adults.
"I want to open my Farmer Dave's box! I'm so happy to open my Farmer Dave's box. What's inside?" - the son of a Farmer Dave's team member
They help themselves to fresh fruits and veggies from the fridge, instead of (or in addition to) cookies from the cookie jar.
"I find half eaten cucumbers and peppers in random rooms in my house." - A Dracut CSA member
Many parents feel a lot of pressure around feeding their children healthy foods. We love knowing that the work we do takes some of the pressure off, allowing the youngest eaters among us the joy of eating simple, fresh, delicious food because they love it, not because they have to. Their earliest memories of fresh, local produce are easy, pleasurable, and fun ones. We are proud and humbled to be a part of these important years in forming their lifelong attitudes towards food.
And for many of the adults among us, this is the time of year when life gets hectic, schedules become busier, and the school year begins. If you find yourself more overwhelmed with the produce this time of year, try taking a cue from some of these kiddos. Pull a tomato, pepper, cucumber out of the fridge and just much on it - no preparation required, or with a simple dip if you prefer. A few veggie snacks per day will make a serious dent in your weekly share! (And if you are looking to can or freeze some of it for winter use, we have some resources on our website.)
Here's to simplicity and joy and wide-eyed wonderment!
Bethany
(filling in for Farmer Dave in this week's newsletter, and mother of a three year old)
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This is what we are planning and hoping to harvest this week. Ultimately Mother Nature has the last word so the actual contents of your share will vary. - Assorted peppers
- Kale or Swiss Chard or Broccoli Raab
- Broccoli or Eggplant
- Beets or Celery
- Onions
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- and more!
Fruit Share - Peaches
- Plums or Nectarines
- Apples
- Cantaloupe or Watermelon
- and possibly more if we're lucky!
*Farmer Dave's does not spray fungicides on our berries. This provides what we believe to be a safer product for our members and farmers but means that we can only harvest in optimal (dry) conditions. If there is rain in the forecast we will not be able to harvest berries for our fruit shares because they would mold quickly once harvested. We also recommend that our members plan to use their berries within 48 hours of pickup. They will not last as long as store bought berries.
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Recipe of the Week
Pasta with Figs, Eggplant and Tomatoes
Adapted by Farmer Dave's from She Knows
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 16 ounces small pasta
- 1 medium eggplant, diced
- 2 large fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 6 dried figs, chopped coarsely
- 2 clove garlic, minced
- 1 onion, minced
- 4 tablespoons olives, pitted and chopped
- 3 tablespoons capers
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- In a large pot, boil water for the pasta and cook according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, add 1-3 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium heat. Saute the garlic and onion in the oil.
- When the garlic turns golden, mix in diced eggplant. Cook until the eggplant turns brown. Add extra olive oil if needed.
- Transfer eggplant to a bowl and set aside.
- Saute tomatoes in the same saucepan for about 4 minutes. Add olives, capers, and figs. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Return eggplant to pan. Season with dried oregano, salt to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon and go from there), and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
Have a great tip or recipe to share? Email Ginger to have it included in our newsletter and recipe blog!
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Employment Opportunities with Farmer Daves:
The seasons are about to change! Fall will soon be upon us. The apples are ripening up on the trees. And for us, that means two things. - Many of our staff will be going back to school.
- The pick your own apple orchard in Westford will soon be opening up! (Details to be determined; more information to come).
Therefore, we are hiring! We are accepting applications for the following seasonal positions:
- Farmers Market and Pick Your Own Staff
- Packing Area Staff
- Field/Harvest Crew Members
We also have a couple volunteer positions open at the following CSA pick ups: - Lawrence on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00pm-4:30pm
- Reading on Friday afternoons from 1:00pm-4:30pm.
For more details, including how to apply, visit our Employment Opportunities page. If you know anyone who would like to apply, please spread the word! |
Groundwork Share-a-Share:
Please consider helping us in our efforts to make the CSA accessible to more families by donating to Groundwork Share-A-Share. With the help of CSA members like you, Groundwork has been able to help subsidize the cost of CSA shares for families who would otherwise be unable to afford participation. To learn more about the program, click here. Thank you all for helping us keep this program going in 2015!
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Contact Us:
Farmer Dave's CSA
437 Parker Road
Dracut, MA 01826
(978) 349-1952
farm@farmerdaves.net
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