Any share changes must be submitted to lucsa@theurbancanopy.org by Monday at noon!
In your box this week:
- CHERRIES - HEIRLOOM TOMATOES -
- LEAF LETTUCE - GREEN BEANS -
- ZUCCHINI - KALE - CHARD -
- MUSHROOMS - SODA-
Garden bee, Summer 2024
NEWS FROM THE FARM:
Velvetleaf with leaf miner infestation
In June, we experienced a transition in crops on the farm. We harvested the last of the radishes, turnips, and mustard greens, and replaced them with peppers and eggplant. Simultaneously, the weeds that fight for space in our beds underwent a transition. In the spring, we remove lots of lambs quarters and velvet leaf, and though those plants are done for the year, they have been overwhelmed by purslane and pigweed (amaranth). While all these plants are edible (and tasty), they can pose problems when they attract pests or shade out crops, we spend lots of time removing weeds from garden beds and adding burlap to pathways to suppress weeds.
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
If you missed a week and want to see what was in a previous share, we archive a PDF of all our previous newsletters here.
You can also use it to look at previous seasons if you are interested to see what crops are coming!
WEEKLY ADD-ONS FOR YOUR BOX
Locally-sourced food and home goods to round out your CSA box! Save trips to the grocery store and get what you need delivered inside your LUCSA share.
For returning LUCSA members, we’re doing Add-Ons a little differently these days… you will access the Shop through your very own member portal! Link below…
Add-On Order form must be submitted by noon on Monday!
Share Contents
Refer back to this page for updated share contents and photos to help you identify produce!
Please keep in mind that share contents may vary due to market availability so contents may vary slightly from this list. Farming is never 100% predictable. We appreciate your flexibility.
Pro-tip: When your share arrives, immediately unpack your produce and move into proper storage containers!
Wash produce before eating!
Remember to return your wax box, egg cartons, and pint containers during your next delivery. We re-use all of these items!
Beverage:
Wisco Pop (Viroqua, WI)
Bread:
Wednesday: Focaccia: FranHer Bakery (Pilsen, Chicago, IL)
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Seeded Rye: Publican Quality Bread (Chicago, IL)
Storage Tip - Keep your bread cut side down in a bag on your counter for two to three days. At that point you will want to slice or rip/cut your bread into pieces and freeze for future toast, croutons, or panzanella! If it’s particularly hot, you may want to move it to the refrigerator after a day or two (the only time we will tell you to refrigerate bread).
Mushrooms:
Wednesday Portabellas: River Valley Ranch (Burlington, WI)
Thursday Closed
Friday Lion’s Mane: Windy City Mushrooms (Chicago, IL)
Storage Tip - Open the paper bag to reduce moisture, and keep mushrooms out of plastic. Smoke, dehydrate, or par-cook and freeze for longer storage.
Eggs: Finn's Steak and Egg Ranch (Buchanan, MI)
Storage Tip - You can freeze your eggs to make them last longer. Crack and scramble in a container, or crack whole into oiled muffin tins, and keep frozen for up to 6 months.
Sweet Cherries: Mick Klug Farm (St. Joseph, MI)
Storage Tip - Get your cherries in the fridge as soon as possible, preferably wrapped in a plastic bag. Wash them with cold water just before eating. Avoid washing prior to storage, as moisture can be absorbed where the stem meets the fruit and lead to splits or spoilage. Cherries can also be frozen. Pit them, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, and then place in a bag or container.
Scallions: The Urban Canopy (Auburn Gresham, Chicago, IL)
Storage Tip - Stand upright in an inch of water in a jar or glass, cover tips with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. Change the water if it starts to discolor.
Chard/Kale: The Urban Canopy (Auburn Gresham, Chicago, IL)
Storage Tip - Make sure greens are good and dry. You can wrap the greens in a paper or cloth towel to cut down on extra moisture. Then store in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to a week.
Red Head Lettuce: The Urban Canopy (Auburn Gresham, Chicago, IL)
Storage Tip - Store in a plastic container or bag with a paper towel covering them for up to a week in the fridge.
Heirloom Slicing Tomatoes: Wild Coyote Farm (Berrien Springs, MI)
Storage Tip - Tomatoes should be kept at room temperature on the counter away from sunlight. Consume within a few days.
Green Beans: Nichols Farm & Orchard (Marengo, IL)
Storage Tip - Store unwashed fresh beans in a reusable container or plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper. Use or freeze within about 2 weeks.
Substitutions
carrots, green beans, mullberries, knob onions, pickling cucumbers
Items for those already opting out of beverage, bread, mushrooms, or eggs or having a conflicting allergy - subject to change, even if specified. Please refer back to this newsletter throughout the week for updates.
Zucchini: Wild Coyote Farm (Berrien Springs, MI)
Storage Tip - Store freshly picked, unwashed zucchini in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. The bag should be perforated or loosely tied, not sealed tightly. Do not cut the zucchini until you are ready to use it.
Potatoes: Nichols Farm & Orchard (Marengo, IL)
Storage Tip - Keep cool, dry and out of direct light, on your counter, in a cupboard or in a perforated paper bag, for up to 6 months.
Cucumbers: Nichols Farm & Orchard (Marengo, IL)
Storage Tip - Cucumbers store best around 50 degrees. Much colder and they will lose some of their sweetness and are more likely to bruise. You can store them in a cool spot in the pantry or the warmest spot of the fridge. Kept in the fridge they should be used within 3-4 days. Cucumbers are also very sensitive to mold, so make sure they are really dry.
Parsley: The Urban Canopy (Auburn Gresham, Chicago, IL)
Storage Tip - Keep in an open plastic bag in the crisper for up to two weeks.
For more recipe ideas, follow us on Instagram! Our recipe reels provide additional information on how to use produce and processing items each week!
