Week 25

Vernon's Corner
N.A.S.A Scientists did an extensive study some years back on the Bumble Bee. They compared wing surface and beats per second to body mass and weight. They looked at aerodynamics and lift potential and came to the startling discovery that it was a scientific impossibility for the Bumble Bee to ever get air borne. After much discussion and wringing of hands, they called in a retired engineer to reanalyze their data. After just 15 minutes, he said “your data and analysis are correct, the Bumble Bee indeed can’t fly. But you’ve overlooked one very important fact. The Bumble Bee doesn’t know it.”
Our little Organic produce deal is like that Bumble Bee. Fresh Organic at the price of not so fresh conventional? Not likely to get air borne. And yet, in spite of our difficulties and growing pains, we’re flapping our little wings like crazy and addressing each new challenge as it comes.
We so much appreciate your patience, encouragement and input as we buzz through these blossoms. Also reminds me of a flock of geese flying in vee. One gets out in front and works hard as he can, while everybody else gets behind him and honks like crazy.
Our challenge right now is to get through the pick-up site as rapidly as possible. Longer than 10 minutes is unacceptable to us for you to be waiting. And ideally it would be less than 5. Each town has its own personality and distinct opportunities for improvement. Some have mostly small boxes with few add-ons. Others have mostly large boxes with lots of add-ons. Most have people coming over the entire time which is ideal. Others have the entire group waiting when we get there which is no good for our subscribers. Others see half the group coming in the last 5 minutes which makes it impossible for the driver to stay on schedule. We’re modifying and tweaking the process and hopefully, as you’re reading this, you’ve experienced a quick and pleasant produce pick-up this week. In our fruit packing shed, we say that every solution creates its own problems but to me that’s just an exciting professional challenge. Each new town, farmer, subscriber and add-on move us closer to the goal which is “simply bringing you the family farm”, and if we continue to work together, nothing less than a reorganization of food production and distribution is at hand. We take every comment to heart and you can and will see your Abundant Harvest respond and improve.
Also, Thank you so much for sharing this with your friends. There is no higher complement possible. Every day, your friends and family are signing up to enjoy the adventure. This is so important to our farmers. I can’t tell you how badly each one of us wants this to succeed. To know at planting time that there will be a reward for the labor is a dream many of us have clung to our entire careers. It burns as deep as your desire to have nutrient dense, garden fresh Organic produce available for your families. BUZZ, BUZZ, Thanks again, and EAT HEALTHY

GRAIN VARIETIES
As Vernon mentioned in his column we are trying to stream-line the delivery process. One of the things that slow the delivery down is the variety of add-ons available. In order to make things move along a little more quickly we are going to revise the availability of the grain items. Starting with next week’s delivery you will see that you no longer have the option of 2 pounds or 5 pounds on the grain items. Everything, except rolled oats, will be available in 4 pound quantities. The rolled oats will be available in 3 pound quantities. Wheat and oats will be available every week. The other items such as pinto beans, black beans, barley, cracked wheat bulgar and brown rice will be available on alternating weeks.
We hope this will limit some confusion at the delivery and at the same time offer you what you are looking for in the area of grains.

WHOLE CHICKEN
The whole chickens are back on the add-on list by popular demand. Although enjoyed by several subscribers they were not previously ordered in sufficient quantity to justify having them available. So if you are looking for whole, organic chickens you can now order them.
These are organic, free range chickens from Pitman Farms in Sanger, California. They are fed a vegetarian diet with the finest grains and vegetable proteins, and never animal by-products, hormones preservatives or additives.

ORDERING ADD-ONS
Typically you can order your add-ons for the following week on Monday. This week will be the exception. Because of some work that is being done internally on the website you will not be able to access and order your add-ons for week ending March 9, 2008, until Tuesday. We will do our best to have the add-ons available for you to order some time Tuesday morning. The changes we are making will not impact how you order your add-ons and, hopefully, will have little effect on the subscribers.
However, as Vernon mentioned in his column “every solution creates its own problem” so if you are ordering add-ons and are having some kind of difficulty please let us know right away so we can get it resolved

SLIGHT MISHAP
Last week, while in route, some of the boxes fell spilling their contents. Every effort was made to repack them, but if you had items missing or damaged we apologize. Let us know and they will be replaced.

Here is what you will find in this week’s box.
-Navel Oranges
-Satsuma Mandarin Oranges
M & K, Caruthers
-Cauliflower
-Romaine Lettuce
-Red Leaf Lettuce*
-Celery
-Baby Bok Choy
Joe Heger Farms, El Centro
-Yellow Potatoes
Family Farms, Madera
-Red Onions
John Tobias, Hollister
-Garlic
Christopher Ranch, Gilroy
-Red Cabbage
-Italian Parsley
-Nantes Carrots
-Bloomsdale Spinach*
T & D Willey, Madera
*Denotes Abundant Box Only
Contents may vary due to availability on date of delivery.

COMING NEXT WEEK!!! TOMATOES and W. MURCOTT MANDARIN ORANGES

GARLIC
You let us know that you missed your garlic last week. We, hopefully, have made it up to you by including it in your box this week.

Recipes

Yummy Bok Choy Salad
½ cup olive oil ¼ cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup white sugar 3 Tbsp soy sauce
1-2 bunches baby bok choy, 1 bunch green onions
cleaned and sliced 1/8 cup slivered almonds
½ (6 oz) pkg chow mein noodles or Top Ramen

In a glass jar, with a lid, mix together olive oil, white vinegar, sugar and soy sauce. Close the lid an shake until well mixed.

Combine the bok choy, green onions, almonds and chow mein noodles in a salad bowl. Toss with dressing and serve. For a citrus taste add 1-2 tangerines, peeled and segmented.

Sweet-Sour Red Cabbage
½ cup cider vinegar ¼ cup sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar 1 med. head red cabbage shredded
2 bacon strips, diced 1 med. tart apple, peeled & chopped
½ cup chopped onion ¼ cup water
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar, ½ tsp salt
or additional cider vinegar ¼ tsp pepper
1/8 tsp ground cloves
In a large bowl, stir the cider vinegar and sugars until sugars are dissolved. Add cabbage; toss to coat. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile in a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve drippings. In the drippings, sauté apple and onion until tender. Add water and cabbage mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 min or until tender. Sprinkle with bacon just before serving.