Mustards are magnificent, and we are going to unleash two of these nutrient powerhouses in the share this week. Tatsoi, also know as Spinach Mustard or Spoon Mustard, as well as Mustard Greens contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, and Fiber. In particular, Tatsoi also brings Calcium and Beta-carotene to your table while Mustard Greens provide Vitamin K and Manganese. Both of these Brassicas are great in Chinese and Japanese dishes or just added to your favorite salad.
Get ready to fire up the pressure canner and bust out your brine! The late season green beans and dill are great for preserving the harvest in your pantry. Don’t know much about preserving food? Or want to learn more? Come to the Food Fermentation Workshop on Sunday, December 29 from 1:30-3:00pm with Austin Durant! Must RSVP at outreach@sweetwater-organic.org.
As the season continues to pick-up and more items are ready to harvest, our dedicated farm team has decided to get started a little earlier on CSA share pick-up days. Moving forward, farm volunteers can meet the team at 7:30am in the barn on Thursdays and Sundays to help with the morning harvest. We love the enthusiastic volunteers that come out to the farm and provide crucial help in making this community farm function. If you would like any more information about getting involved in volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@sweetwater-organic.org.
As another way to help out the community, Sweetwater has partnered with Metropolitan Ministries to give back to those in need. Metropolitan Ministries’ program “Hope Starts with a Meal” brings hope to struggling Tampa Bay families by putting food on their tables. With your help they will serve more than 24,000 families this holiday season!
If you have some extra food in your pantry this holiday season, bring it out on your next visit to the farm and place it in the blue donation barrels. Some needed donation options are: cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, beans, bags of rice, cranberry sauce, gravy, dessert mixes, packaged cookies or pastries, or boxed pudding. We will be collecting dry goods from Thursday, December 5 through Thursday, December 19.
Another reminder for CSA Full Members and Half Members picking up on Week A schedule – we will be closed on Christmas 12/25 and the day after Christmas on 12/26. The pick-up day for Thursday members will be on Friday, 12/27 from 12:00-6:00 for Sweetwater Farm pick-up and 4:00-7:00 for Whole Foods pick-up. Let us know if you have any questions.
‘Tis the Season for fun and activity at the Farm. See you at there!