Full Shares:  Shishito peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, salad mix, spinach, Yukon Gem potatoes, green beans, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, and basil

Partial Shares:  Chioggia beets, salad mix, tomatoes, Shishito peppers, green beans, carrots, zucchini, and basil 

Hello CSA Members!

I know August 15th is getting pretty late in the summer, but the farm is  just hitting it’s stride.  And we got an inch of rain last week…in August!…hard to believe.  The weather has been down right pleasant this season.  Trying to figure out what to put in a CSA share is getting more and more difficult because it seems like everything is ready right now.  Not only are the summer crops like eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes in peak production, but the potatoes and carrots are endless, and even the salad mix and spinach are coming back strong. And then there’s the squash and cucumbers.   The big surprise is the spinach, which I don’t think we’ve ever had in mid-August before.  But it’s been mild enough of a summer that our spinach this week is just like that in the spring….super sweet and tender.  The crew picked a Shishit load of peppers today as well, so you’ll be getting a few of these tasty, mild peppers in your share as well.  Oh, and the green beans are in as well.  Over a hundred pounds picked this afternoon, so everyone will be seeing them in their shares.

This Friday is also our third annual fundraising dinner at the farm for the Center for Youth Restorative Justice.  When Rebecca and I approached Mike Goguen three years ago about moving our farm back to Whitefish, there was one main theme that all parties agreed on.  And that was the idea that the farm partnership would be a win/win/win.  Good for the farm, good for Mike, but most importantly good for the community.  Sort of the the triple bottom line approach to business.  Now the realm that CRYJ works in is very different from my own, but there is one thing about them that has always impressed me.  There are dedicated people working in a very unique and creative way to help our youth remain productive members of our communities in a very positive way.  Good for CRYJ, good for the kids, and good for the community.  I see a theme here.   So, if you’d like to support a great cause, and enjoy a delicious dinner (and some music) out at the farm, there are just a few tickets left.

As for recipes, the options this week are endless.  A little ratatouille with the eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini and basil?  Tempura battered shishito peppers?  Spinach salad with sungold tomatoes?  Yukon Gem hash browns with basil and tomato on top?

Well, I’m waiting for photos to download, but it’s not happening, and it’s past my bedtime.  So, I’ll try to add them in the morning.  We’ll see you at CSA distribution!

Todd and the Two Bear Farm Crew