Hello CSA and friends of Shalom Orchard,

We’re finishing up with Blueberry raking. We had an excellent crew: Molly, Khimba, Nick, Ric, Jacob, Brad and sometimes Jake. Thanks to all of you!

Looking forward to seeing all of you on Wed., 4-6:00. We will have much of the same veggies as last week with some tender, young turnips as well. There has been a request for more leeks and I will print out a WONDERFUL recipe that Kay Davis sent me using chicken, leeks, and apples.

On the subject of apples, our first apples are about a week to two weeks from being ready to harvest! If any one wants to bring family to pick apples (makes a great memory), please let me know. We will be making cider on Saturdays starting at the end of Sept., and that is a lot of fun, too. Plan to freeze some for the winter!

We are almost out of chicken breasts, but still have plenty of leg quarters. The next batch of chickens will be ready in the middle of Oct. and you can order for the winter.

Please let me know how many in your family will be coming to the “big feed” on Sunday, Sept. 11, around 5:00. We are very excited to have you all join us in the bountiful harvest!

Thank you,

Charlotte and Jim

Hello CSA and friends of Shalom Orchard,

Blueberries are winding down and we will be raking this week only for freezer berries. Some of you have given me your orders for frozen berries, and I have delivered some. Please repeat your orders, so I can double-check that I have them all.

I have made the first batch of our blueberry syrup, which is really more of a sauce. It is a whole berry syrup, with very little honey, not cloyingly sweet at all. I am offering it to you this week as part of your order at the special CSA price of $6.00/bottle (don’t repeat that to anybody!!!). It’s a delicious way to extend the healthful use of blueberries and is great on pancakes, waffles, etc., ice cream, cakes, yogurt-use your imagination!

We also have green beans, summer squash, onions, cukes and tomatoes. We’re letting the lettuce and chard rest this week. Of course we have chicken, lamb and eggs.

******Please note the following date on your calendars: Sunday, September 11 (whew, I just realized the significance of that date). WE ARE GOING TO FEED YOU!!! We will host a harvest celebration dinner featuring our meats, veggies, fruits and wines. Come about 5:00PM with appetites! We invite your families -please let us know how many will be attending. This is part of our thank-you to all of you who have made this, our first CSA year, so very gratifying and successful.

All of your comments have convinced us that having a CSA and making fresh, organic produce, meats, eggs and wines available locally has made a difference to you. We are starting to plan for next year and hope you will re-join and tell a few others. We will probably expand the CSA from about 10 families to about 15. Your feedback is going to guide our planning so please give it to us. You are part of this farm and we are growing for you! So tell us what you want, how we can improve and we will try – even with the slugs!

Don’t forget the recipes!! We now have a place for the “recipe of the month” on our website.

Enjoy the end of the summer!

Thank you,

Charlotte and Jim