Forkful: June 2021 - Week 1

WHAT'S IN MY SHARE?

• Asparagus
• Butter Lettuce
• Bok Choy
• Radishes
• Bunching Onions
• Spring Parsnips

PICKUP LOCATIONS & TIMES

​Hatfield Area Members 
​Bardwell Farm
49 Main Street - Hatfield, MA 01038

• Tuesdays & Fridays
• 3pm to 6pm
• Choice selected, curbside pickup & delivery

Center Fresh Chicopee Members
Center Fresh Chicopee Farmers Market
31 Springfield St - Chicopee, MA 01013

• Thursdays
• ​1pm to 6pm
• Pre-prepared tote pickup

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CAN'T MAKE YOUR PICKUP DAY?

• If you cannot make your pickup day a friend or family member can pick it up for you or for themselves
• Reminder: pickup days cannot be changed, the day that was chosen on the enrollment form will be your day for the 20 weeks of the program

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WEATHER ALERT
Sunday - May 30, 2021
It looks like we will be receiving some rain days toward the end of the week, don't forget to bring your umbrellas in case there's a line folks!

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FIELD NOTES

"til' dark day"

Welcome to Week 1 all, it's finally here! Are you excited? Your food adventure is about to begin!

There are a so many things going on at the farm on any given day of the week. This is where we will keep you updated about all of these things including the progress of our shared 2021 investment.

The fields are prepped and planted! We laid miles of biodegradable plastic and planted thousands of seedlings and seeds. We had many cold winter days of planning and when the snow and rains stopped, we got out in the fields as early as we could and stayed out there as long as we could. There were so many "til' dark" days with more yet to come. We have a well-rounded crop plan this year and can't wait to show you the fruits of our labor.

Just a short week ago we would have asked you to do a little rain dance, but we were blessed this weekend with much-needed rainfall. Things were really dry out there but our prayers were answered. The early warm weather has really helped pushed some of our crops along though and we're all going to enjoy the benefits!

The long and short of it? It's going to be a busy summer!

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions what-so-ever about the CSA or your share, call (413) 800-5583 or email us at [email protected].

Thank you again for investing in our farm and we'll be seeing you soon!

Owner Harrison Bardwell

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CSA TOTE BAGS
Bardwell Farm tote bags will be distributed every week. A large share will receive 2, a medium share will receive 1, and a small share will also receive 1.

Important, please remember to bring these back when you return the following week because you will trade these in for new sanitized bags. We will repeat the same process every week.

If you forget your bag or bags, more can be purchased at $5 each.

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YOUR CSA EXPERIENCE
Having these items will help you make the most of your CSA farm share

• a sharp knife that feels like it was made for your hand
• a large cutting board
• a good recipe tool
• an open mind (this is important), we know you may have never tried some of the items in your share, but part of the experience is the "adventure" and trying something new
• we also know you like your veggies prepared the way you like them, but you may find a new family favorite trying them a different way

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WHAT TO USE FIRST

• Bok Choy - 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, store in a plastic bag, do not wash or process until you are ready to use
• Asparagus - 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, cut ends and place in large mason jar filled with a cup of water
• Lettuce - 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator crisper drawer, do not wash or process until you are ready to use
• Bunching Onions - 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator, store in a plastic bag
• Radishes - 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator, trim greens, place in a container with a cup of water
• Spring Parsnips - 4 to 6 months in the refrigerator, wrap in paper towels and store in a plastic bag

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​DID YOU KNOW...
that before harvesting, asparagus spends up to three years in the ground for the crowns to mature?

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LETS GET COOKING

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS
YouTube | Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen
Asparagus is a crispy, earthy, woody vegetable that starts growing in spring. Chef Gordon Ramsay prefers to sautee them raw, which intensifies the asparagus flavor. He leaves the savory skin on, then he blisters them in a hot cast-iron pan skillet.
​
more recipes:

• Asparagus Pickles - Food & Wine
• Asparagus Frittata - All Recipes
  
• Apple Bok Choy Salad - Epicurious
• Stir-Fried Sesame Baby Bok Choy - Epicurious
  
• New Potatoes with Spring Onions & Bacon - BBC Good Food
  
• Cheese & Onion Quiche - Olive
• Roasted Radishes & Radish Greens - Food & Wine
• Easy Pickled Radishes - All Recipes

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WHATS GOING ON AT THE FARM

Straw is used in the high tunnel sometimes as weed suppression

Cauliflower is coming along nicely

Navi and Troy planted field peppers

During the warm spell, at 9:30am, before we opened up the high tunnel... hot, hot, hot

Harrison planting rhubarb through our new biodegradable plastic

As an experiment we are putting up hoop houses over our field tomatoes to speed growth

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7 DAY SUPPORT
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, need assistance or want to provide constructive criticism. Also, don’t be afraid to talk with your Bardwell Farm Representative in-person during a pick-up day. You can always contact us by using the links below. 
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(413) 800-5583
[email protected]