We just got some unfortunate news from Woodbridge Farm. They were hit by a serious hail storm on Wednesday afternoon, and some of the crops were damaged, including peas, lettuce, cut greens, summer squash, and swiss chard. For the full story, read the post on their blog.

At times like this it’s important to remember that CSA is about sharing the risks of farming as well as the rewards. Please keep this in mind and try to be understanding as our farmers cope with this difficult situation.

Here’s what we’re expecting in today’s delivery from Woodbridge Farm:

1 - Mixed Salad Greens
2 - Scallions
3 - Swiss Chard
4 - Lettuce Heads
5 - Garlic Scapes
6 - Peas
7 - Tomatoes
8 - Cabbage
9 - Herbs

Lots of local food events this weekend!

Skip the Fancy Food Show in Manhattan and check out Brooklyn’s own UnFancy Food Show instead. This event was started last year by a couple of food industry veterans as an organic response to the expensive, marketing-driven show at the Javits Center. This year nearly 20 producers will be on hand, including Vermont cheesemakers Jasper Hill Farm, Mast Brothers Chocolate from Williamsburg, Sixpoint Craft Ales from Redhook, Wheelhouse Pickles , and Bronx Bee Honey. It’s this Sunday at the East River Bar from 12 to 6.

Also on Sunday is the 3rd gathering of the New Amsterdam Market, an organization working to establish a public, indoor, year-round regional market at the Seaport in Manhattan. An assortment of over 50 vendors will be there including Hudson Valley Fresh, Flying Pigs Farm, and Saxelby Cheesmongers. It’s happening from 11 to 4 at New Market Square.

Here’s the list of vegetables we’re expecting tomorrow from Woodbridge Farm:

1 - Mixed Salad Greens
2 - Broccoli
3 - Kale or Swiss Chard
4 - Lettuce Heads
5 - Garlic Scapes
6 - Peas
7 - Beets
8 - Herbs

This week we’ll also be receiving our first fruit delivery from Hepworth Farm. Yay! I don’t know yet what we’re going to get from them, so it will be a surprise.

Poor kohlrabi. Always left in the bin.

Many members pass on this funny looking vegetable because they don’t know what to do with it, but it’s actually pretty versatile. Kohlrabi can be steamed, roasted, boiled, or baked. It can also be eaten raw - try combining it with apple, carrot, onion, and parsley to make a slaw using this recipe.

Garlic scapes are enjoying a new-found popularity. We got some in this week’s share. Not a whole lot, but enough to enjoy. The New York Times posted an article today on the virtues of The Scape (and garlic in general).

There is a recipe for White Bean and Garlic Scape dip that only requires 3-4 scapes that sounds awesome. My mother pickles them in soy sauce for a little seasonal ban chan dish.

Eat ‘em and enjoy ‘em while you can!

Woodbridge Farm has a new blog where they will be posting the list of vegetables each week. Here’s what they’re planning to bring for us tomorrow…

1. Tatsoi/PacChoy/Kohlrabi or Chinese Cabbage
2. Peas
3. Mixed Salad Greens
4. Broccoli or Spinach
5. Kale or Swiss Chard
6. Herbs
7. Radishes or Turnips or Beets
8. Lettuce Heads
9. Garlic Scapes
10. Scallions

Check back each week to see what’s coming!

(fine print: please note that this is an estimated list, so there’s always a chance the actual items might be slightly different)

While I’m not vegan (or even a strict vegetarian), I often enjoy the recipes at VeganYumYum. This one for Sweet Chili Lime Tofu with Wok Steamed Collards and Quinoa looks delicious, and you can substitute our CSA kale or swiss chard for the collard greens.

As a bit of personal inspiration, I thought it would be fitting to start the new CSA season off with a remarkable video by Mark Bittman at this year’s TED conference.

“In this fiery and funny talk, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman weighs in on what’s wrong with the way we eat now (too much meat, too few plants; too much fast food, too little home cooking), and why it’s putting the entire planet at risk.”

I am a huge fan of his blog and am hoping to rely on many of his recipes to tackle that weekly box of vegetables.

Check out this film shot by local cinematographer (and PLG CSA member) Liz Dory. If you can’t make it to the screening tomorrow afternoon, the documentary will have its broadcast premiere on HBO later this summer, so you can catch it on July 28th at 8pm.

“The Recruiter”
Cinema Village
22 East 12th Street
(212) 924-3636
Showtimes: Wed., May 28th and Thursday, May 29th - NOON, 1:30p.

** 2008 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - OFFICIAL SELECTION **

The Recruiter takes viewers to a Louisiana coastal community, where we witness firsthand one recruiter’s intense struggle to enlist new soldiers into the U.S. Army. The film offers a glimpse of the human drama surrounding recruits’ decisions to enlist through its remarkable central character: the charismatic Sergeant First Class Clay Usie, one of the most successful Army recruiters working in America. Sgt. Usie firmly believes that every American should serve, and that it is his mission to recruit new soldiers from his hometown of Houma, LA. Among the young people on whom Sgt. Usie sets his sights are Lauren, Matt, Bobby and Chris, four teenagers with different reasons and rationales for joining the Army.

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