Hi everyone! There are so many upcoming events and changes that we'd like to use most of this newsletter to tell you about them.
First of all, Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, which means we are changing our fall hours to the following for the remainder of our season:
Monday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Upcoming Hours:
We are closing early on Wednesday, November 27th at 3:00. This is the day before Thanksgiving. Extended Season members, please take note and remember that we can switch your Wednesday pickup to Tuesday or Saturday if needed. We will also hold all Wednesday shares through Black Friday.
We will be open on Black Friday from 10:30 to 3:00. Our Liquidation Sale starts on this day and runs through our closing on Saturday, December 7th.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!
2024 WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
Gather a group of friends or treat yourself to some solo fun!
We'll show you how to make a holiday wreath using foraged greens from our farm. You'll have access to pine, cedar, yew, hemlock, and holly to build a personalized wreath that suits your tastes.
You'll receive an 18" wreath frame that you can fill as narrow or full as you'd like, plus the wire and greens you'll need to complete this project. Please bring a pair of garden clippers with your name on them, which you'll use to prune greenery for the wreath.
Where & when?
Friday, November 29th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Laurel Glen Farm.
Saturday, November 30th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Laurel Glen Farm.
Things to consider:
We'll be standing at tables for the workshop - please wear comfortable shoes for standing during this extended period of time. The barn is not heated and we may need to use tent space outside, so we recommend dressing for outdoor elements (thin gloves are helpful).
Tables can fit 2 people, but table arrangements can not be reserved, so we recommend arriving a few minutes early to claim a spot. The demonstration will begin promptly and you're welcome to use the remaining time frame to build your wreath.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: The event ticket is non-refundable.
What are we up to?
Although many of our summer crops have still been producing, we've decided to call it quits on continuing to harvest them.
Both of our farmers' markets have ended and so many autumn crops are either producing or in storage to the point that we need to focus our efforts on selling those to our customers and wholesale buyers.
We made the difficult decision to mow down the eggplant and cucurbits, remove the stakes from the tomatoes, and harvest the peppers one last time. Our barn is still bursting with harvested tomatoes, which is mind-blowing for this time of year. Is it November tomorrow or September?!
Here's what the eggplant looks like after it's mowed down:
During this process, Randy called and texted me at least three times to say, "Are you SURE I should mow them down?" It's scary when your livelihood depends on the crops, but at this point, there are so many other great veggies to turn our attention to.
We're also busy digging, dividing, and storing dahlias for next year. Our flower season has ended and it was an awesome first one! I learned a lot from growing my own and I will do some things much differently next year. We look forward to more PYO and Build-a-Bouquet next year, too!
Speaking of focusing our efforts on our wholesale accounts, we are so appreciative of all who purchase from us. It's not the easy, cheap choice, but it's one that is mutually beneficial and health-conscious for those involved.
Last week, Shelton Public Schools served our cauliflower gratin to all children!
Milford Public Schools and Bridge Academy in Bridgeport both continue to support us as well. We are hopeful that more local districts will take us up on the opportunity to "Put Local On Your Tray" (as the state campaign says!)
Herbaceous Catering and Kitchen Melissa are also huge farm supporters all season long, cooking seasonally for their clients. Kitchen Melissa even snatched up this huge rutabaga this week!
Spotlight on Romanesco
This week, all of our members are receiving Romanesco, and it is also available for purchase in our farm store. Romanesco is an edible flower from the family that includes broccoli and cauliflower. It is sometimes called romanesco broccoli. Its points are referred to as "fractals". This vegetable has a flavor similar to that of cauliflower - but more mild and nutty - and can be enjoyed in a similar way.
And honeynut squash
Honeynut squash is a cross between a butternut and a buttercup squash. It has an intense, nutty, sweet, caramel flavor and can be used interchangeably with butternut. (Psssst: I love it SO much more than butternut!)
HELP!!!!
We are continuing to seek more clean boxes to reuse for orders! Medium and large sizes only, please. Nothing smaller than a box for a case of wine or a box of diapers. Think Chewy, Amazon, meal prep service, etc. Simply rip your address label off first - no need to break down the boxes. Thank you for your support!
WHAT'S IN STORE
Here is the fresh produce we plan to have in stock while supplies last (through Friday, 11/8):
Acorn squash
Arugula
Beets
Bell peppers (final availability for 2024)
Bok choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Butternut squash
Cabbage (green)
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Collard greens
Delicata squash
Fresh herbs (sage, thyme, parsley, rosemary)
Garlic
Grape tomatoes (final availability for 2024)
Green/wax beans (final availability for 2024)
Hakurei salad turnips
Honeynut squash
Hot peppers (final availability for 2024)
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Napa cabbage
Onions (winding down for 2024)
Potatoes (red and gold)
Radishes
Romanesco
Scallions
Spaghetti squash
Spinach (limited availability)
Swiss chard
Tomatoes
THIS WEEK'S VEGGIE SUBSCRIPTIONS
EXTENDED SEASON WEEK 28 OF 32
(November 5th through Saturday, November 9th)
Share Contents (Listed approximately from shortest shelf life to longest)
Large:
1 large head of romanesco
1 bunch of radishes
1 grab-a-green (lettuce, romaine, escarole, Napa cabbage, or other depending on availability)
2 honeynut squashes
3/4 lb. of leeks
1 lb. of potatoes
Small:
1 head of romanesco
1 bunch of radishes
1 grab-a-green (lettuce, romaine, escarole, Napa cabbage, or other depending on availability)
1 honeynut squash
1/2 lb. of leeks
1 lb. of potatoes
Caring For Your Share (All of this information, plus long-term storage info, can also be found in our Vegetable Library of Resources).
Shake out any excess water in the grab-a-green, then store in a plastic bag in the fridge. Wash and spin out when ready to use.
Store potatoes in a mesh bag in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet or pantry, and ensure that they get plenty of air flow. Do not wash until ready to use, but wipe away dense soil, if any. Keep away from onions.
Remove the greens from the radishes and store them in separate plastic bags. Wash and eat the greens within a few days; the roots will keep for a couple of weeks if stored properly.
Store romanesco in a plastic bag in the fridge. Wash when ready to use (within the week).
Store leeks in a plastic bag in the fridge. Wash when read to use.
Store honeynut squash in a cool, dark place such as a pantry, cabinet, or cellar where it will get air flow.
The LGF Cooking Club (Recipes to try in addition to those in the Library of Resources!)
How to Change Your Vegetable Subscription Pickup Day
If you need to skip your share for the week, or change your pickup day, you must provide us with 48 hours notice for any of the options below. This is because we pack shares the day before pickup. Once your share has been harvested and packed, we can not cancel your pickup.
For Tuesday pickups being changed, we need to know by Sunday.
Wednesday pickups, we need to know by Monday.
Saturday pickups, we need to know by Thursday.
You have the option to choose another of those pickup days in a given week: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.
You can skip a pickup and receive a double the following week.
If you miss your pickup, we will hold your share for 24 hours after your pickup day, and then it will be donated to a local food pantry. With more members than ever before, we don't have the cooler space to hold onto shares longer than this. This is a great option if you accidentally miss your pickup - just come the next day.
You can always send a guest to pick up in your place by simply notifying us of their name.
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