Goodbye & Hello

**information on local purchasing opportunities can now be found on Wednesdays on our 'Slow in Boston' blog**

We have a few changes coming to Slow Food Boston cyberspace - and the result, we hope, will be the most amount of information getting out to you, our readers and members, as simply & clearly as possible. In order to streamline our communications, we will be taking the four blogs we had been attempting to maintain and concentrate them into ONE blog, herein referred to as 'Slow in Boston.'

By doing this, we can be sure that in the limited time we have available as volunteers we can fulfill (or hopefully surpass!) the expectations & needs you might have for information about local, seasonal, sustainable food and agriculture in the Boston area.

Our plan is to have a regular weekly schedule (fingers crossed), outlined below:
Mondays we will use for an in-depth look at an upcoming event that we think is worth your time & effort to check out. The Google calendar, where we list everything that comes into our radar from like-minded organizations, will be the most comprehensive resource, but Mondays will be our time to highlight something we think is special.
On Wednesdays, look for a description, interview or bio of a food producer, farmer, market, restaurant or new product from our local friends. Feel free to email us with suggestions!
Fridays will be the time for us to get up on our soapbox; we'll discuss issues with our food system, problematic government policies, and holes in our food, agriculture & environmental education in this country. We may talk about the latest research from the USDA around inspections or proposed changes to land use laws in local towns. Mainly, we'll use this day to inform you and provide some options for what you can do to change things for the better.

Sprinkled amongst those 'regularly scheduled' posts will be follow-ups to our many events, with photos, links to blogs or print media that may have highlighted the gathering, as well as recipes or menus or other pertinent information from our presenters.

Look for things to start up with gusto next Monday, Nov 23rd. In the meantime, happy fall!

More Products from our Local Dairy Folks

So not only are the Robinsons branching out - it seems that the Lawtons at Oake Knoll Ayrshires are as well.

Walking through the South End Open Markets yesterday, I discovered that they've expanded to an Antiques Market and a 2nd location in the parking lot next to the restaurant Rocca. And one booth I caught sight of in that market? Foxboro Cheese!

Unfortunately, I was late, so didn't have time to stop & investigate (or taste!). Returning home & doing a little investigating later, though, got me here. Great news, we think. We're always happy to see farmers branching out in order to provide us with more fresh, local goods. Especially cheese!

More about the Lawtons, their background and ways on thinking was reported on Wicked Local Foxborough back in April. Check it out.

And if you're in the city next Sunday, check out that cheese & let us know what you think.

Robinson Farm Has More Thank Just Organic Raw Milk!

Pam and Ray at Robinson Farm in Hardwick are celebrating the completion of their THIRD annual organic inspection for their milk -- and have now been certified organic for their chickens, hay and pastures as well.

Their raw milk is heavenly, but they offer much more at their farmstand:
grass fed beef (stew meat, beef bones & ground beef)
milk fed 'rose' veal (pasture raised - NOT traditionally confined!)
eggs from Golden Comet Pullets

If you're free on Saturday September 12th, go visit them as part of the NOFA/Mass Raw Milk Dairy Day in Massachusetts - farms all over the state are participating. It's a great way to get out there and explore.

Italian Seeds

We feel the need to give a huge shout out to Bill McKay from Franchi Seeds for participating in our 2nd (now maybe Annual?) Gardening Workshop & Seed Exchange. The event, held last month at the beautiful Arnold Arboretum, was a sold-out success, thanks in no small part to Bill's expertise & enthusiasm.

For those of you that missed out on the workshop, or are interested in getting some of his amazing Italian varietal seeds, see his website.

Not only can you purchase the seeds, but you can also learn how to grow them and even get tips on how to prepare the 'fruits' of your labor in the kitchen!

The Bird People have Pork!

Jen, of Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds, sent through an email the other day reminding us that they have expanded their menagerie of animals on the farm. In addition to the birds (of course) they are now also raising rabbits, sheep, and yes, pigs!

If you happened to feel inspired after tasting the wonderful pork dishes at the Hungry Mother dinner last week (or find yourself so after attending Cochon 555 this Sunday) they happen to have some pork available in the freezer in Concord.

Some of the meat is from Tamworths and some from Gloucester Old Spot crosses, and according to Jen they "...have amazing 3-4lb roasts that will knock your socks off!"

Check out the website for more information on what they have to offer.

Hmmm... Italy as a belated Valentine's Gift?

Did you not quite live up to what was expected on Valentine's Day? Redeem yourself with a trip to Italy! Red wine, tuscan sun, fabulous food - what could be better?

La Dolce Vita Wine Tours is offering $400 off the following three upcoming tours: (plus you lock in the price at the current exchange rate of $1.27 per Euro, versus last year's astronomical highs!)

TUSCAN WINE TREASURES
May 18-23
An ideal Italian-wine primer in Tuscany's three most historic wine zones: Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Montepulciano.

VENICE TO AMARONE
July 13-17 & September 21-25
Visit the enchanting and elegant northern cities of Venice, Verona and Padua. Explore the many faces of Valpolicella wine, including cult-status Amarone.

DISCOVER SICILY
September 7-12
Italy's most ancient wine zone is undergoing a metamorphosis. Meet Sicily's pioneering winemakers, and enjoy the island's cultural and culinary riches.


Limited-time offer. Direct sales only; no travel agents.
Call for details (888-746-0022) or email info@dolcetours.com

Local Microgreens!

A small farm in Exeter Rhode Island growing the most incredible BEAUTIFUL microgreens. And they're finally available in our area!

Thanks to Farming Turtles (Why the name? It's all about Myrtle) and the Whole Foods on River Street in Cambridge we can have those greens on our table tonight.

Check them out - they even offer pet salads and edible centerpieces!

Flea's Wine Recommendations

I just received the tasting list from last week French Wine Evening with Felisha "Flea" Foster at Dave's Fresh Pasta. You can find the list (a Word file) on our website here. My personal favorites were the Alain Normand La Roche-Vineuse Chardonnay (this wine was never allowed to even hear the word "oak" much less forced to bathe in it for months), the Clos Roche Blanche Gamay and the Maréchal Cuvée Gravel Pinot Noir which, to my mind, tasted thin when we first tried it but was just plain amazing with food--it took the flavors of this duck and porcini ravioli and somehow amplified them. Really amplified them. It was crazy. And I wasn't alone in my assessment. The folks at the tasting cleaned out every last bottle of the Pinot before they left (thankfully Flea has re-stocked--I know 'cause I just bought some yesterday). You can pick up all of these wines at Dave's.

Flea was also kind enough to forward us a list (also in Word) of her favorite importers by country. You can find this list also on our website.

Winter CSA's!

HEAVEN'S HARVEST FARMS in New Braintree and ENTERPRISE FARMS in Whately have both created partnerships with farms down south that are able to grow throughout the winter in order to offer us up here in (brrrr) cold New England some freshies throughout the season... Check out their websites for more info.

Here's to keeping ourselves fed!

Allandale Farm starts up a CSA...

John Lee, of Allandale Farm, as sent along this update on their plans to offer a CSA this year. Check it out!

"In 2009 Allandale Farm will open its own CSA. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a term used to describe an alternative marketing method for agricultural entrepreneurs and those consumers who appreciate truly fresh produce and the need to support their local farm(er)s. There are many different types of CSAs but essentially all of the models involve ‘selling’ shares of the anticipated harvest to local consumers who agree to pick up an amount of fresh produce every week for a specified number of weeks during the harvest season.

The Allandale model will be somewhat different from other CSAs in MA. We will not require a work commitment from shareholders. Nor will we be able to offer a pick-your-own option. We will, however, offer occasional premiums on fresh produce (such as tomatoes or cut flowers) from time to time as the season progresses and as surpluses become available. (For instance, there might be a canning tomato special for CSA members.)

THE PLAN
The initial offering will be 150 shares at $600. Half shares will be available at $350. A share will consist of approximately one bushel of fresh produce each week during the season. The shares will be assembled by the farm staff and we will try to give each share a good distribution of whatever is being picked that week. Pick-up days will be Tuesday and Thursday starting May 26th and running for twenty weeks until October 13th. You must pick up your share between 10AM and 4PM. After that we will donate any uncollected shares to a local food shelter. Not all of the shares each week will necessarily have the same contents. You may not negotiate the contents of your share – it is what it is. No substitutions, please.

Please purchase your share(s) before March 15th so that the farm manager may plan for the summer. Your share will include periodic recipes and newsletter which will also be attached to the farm website.

Pick-ups will be made at the cash registers in the farmstand. Please give the cashier your name and our staff will get your share for you. We will be able, that way, to know who has picked up each week. Please bring your re-usable container with you each week so that we can have it for the following week’s pick-up.

It is expected that this will be an interactive relationship between the share-holders and the farm. We will be very interested in what you would like to see in you shares and we will be growing new varieties for you to test.

If you have questions or would like to join this exciting fresh food opportunity, please email John at allandalefarm@verizon.net. Shares will be limited this year to the first 150 subscribers. Your food has never been so fresh!"

Sign up for 2009 CSA's Right Now!

I know it's cold and the ground is frozen and things like heirloom tomatoes and fresh nectarines seem sooooo far away. But don't let that all stop you!

Now is the time to be thinking about summer shares for 2009 -- CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) are a great way for farmers to get an influx of cash during the winter, when they need it to buy seeds and to do any updating around the farm before planting season. AND they are a perfect way to be sure that you & your family get a summer full of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables (and even meat or seafood!).

Given the current economy, eating seasonally & locally and doing your best to buy directly from the growers and producers will absolutely help keep your eating costs down. What a great holiday gift to you, your spouse, your kids -- or even other loved ones who might not think of doing something like this!

We have a list of local CSA's in .pdf format available - send WILLOW an email if you'd like it forwarded to you. Alternatively, check out these resources:
Local Harvest
Boston Localvores
Farm Fresh

Squash update

In regards to my earlier post about Ark of Taste variety squash from local sources, a quick update:

Turns out that Allandale has sent all of their Boston Marrow Squash on to Russo's, in Watertown, so you'll need to head there, if you'd like some.

On the other hand, JOhn & co at Allandale DO have the Sibley, so buy up! According to our reearch, if kept in a cool, dry place, it will keep until January. Load up now and you're all set for Thanksgiving AND Christmas - soup, pie, mashed, baked, stuffed... The possibilities are endless.

Ark Variety Apple - the 'WEALTHY'

Kimball Farm is picking their now incredibly ripe heirloom Wealthy apples. We had a few of these at the Ark event last month, but they were still a bit 'green' and pretty tart -- but with an extra few weeks on the tree, they are ready to go now!

Carl at Kimball says that he doesn't usually send them to the Farmers Markets because he has such a small quantity, but if you're interested in them, call him: 978-433-9751. He will bag up your requested amount and send them along to the market that's most convenient for you to pick up from. They attend a wide variety of the local markets - check out the SCHEDULE.

John Bunker, an apple 'expert' and author of books on the subject describes the Wealthy with these words: "With its perfect texture and complex flavors, Wealthy is considered to be one of the best apples... Tender, very juicy and sweet... Good eating and even better cooking. Wonderful pies!"

Can't get much more of a rave review than that, can you?

Ark Squash Available NOW!!

For those interested in local foods listed on the Slow Food Ark of Taste -- Allandale Farm in Brookline has two kinds of heirloom winter squashes available for purchase!!

The two they have are Boston Marrow and Sibley. This is your only opportunity (that we know of) to get them locally. The Sibleys will keep for a while if you have a cool dry place, but the Boston Marrows will need to be used a bit sooner. A great excuse to make up the first of some warming fall dishes!

More information about the two varieties can be found on the Slow Food USA website:
SIBLEY
BOSTON MARROW

Directions to Allandale Farm and their wonderful farmstand can be found HERE.

CSA opportunity - from the sea!

In this month's Gourmet magazine, they are reporting on a whole new way to think of Community Supported Agriculture. Instead of just supporting your local produce farmer (and maybe a bread baker or meat producer) you can now go even one step further...right into the ocean!

They call themselves Community Supported Fisheries and according to Gourmet, "...have popped up around the country, from Alaska to North Carolina."

Specifically, they describe a Maine-based organization, called Catch a Piece of Maine where you can 'buy' a lobster trap for a season. An investment of $2,995 gets you minimum of 40 lobsters a year shipped overnight anywhere in the country.

Hey - if you love the crustaceans, and want to support our New England lobstermen it's a pretty good deal! 10% of the profits also go to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

www.catchapieceofmaine.com