Let's have some pepper fun this week

STORIES & UPDATES

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This week we placed a call to Roseland Apizza, signaling the beginning of another year of partnering to make fresh tomato pie. The next day, we got an urgent call for more boxes - they were selling more of these pizzas than ever before (and they already sell a LOT!)

So, if you're ready to try one too, they're serving them every day until the demand dies out.

But if you want to go a different route, The Parlor, located at 999 Stratford Ave. in Stratford also makes an awesome tomato pie with our red and yellow slicers. Sometimes the special even features a pesto drizzle on top!

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We harvested the first batch of red grapes this week. This variety is Randy's favorite. It's called Jupiter! (Isn't that fun?) To me, it has a bold, citrusy, hoppy flavor, but also a ton of sweetness. We'll be stocking these while supplies last, and hoping to harvest a batch of green grapes in the next month, too. In the past, the birds always get to those before we can - but we're hoping our proper bird netting will be the trick this year.

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Seeding isn't just for the spring. We seed and transplant right through September 15th. This lettuce that Jona and Alex are transplanting into larger soil cells will take us into November. There's a really good chance that it will be served in Shelton and Trumbull schools this fall.

We have to continue to seed our crops so that they continue to yield even into the colder months. The little baby lettuces have to be upgraded into bigger accommodations until it's their turn to be planted out in the field. It's a lot to keep track of and care for, but it's all so worth it.

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This week is all about continuing to enjoy the best that summer has to offer with a new addition - peppers!

Peppers get their beautiful tie dye color from being midway through the process of changing from green to either yellow, orange, or red. The technical term for these peppers is "suntan peppers." I sauteed some with onions this weekend, and they were SO incredibly sweet!

A couple of years ago, we did one of my favorite activities ever with these peppers. And since we've added a lot more new members to our community, it's time to bring it back...

At pickup this week, grab two googly eyes and let's have some fun! Post a photo of your silly peppers in our Facebook group, and we'll pick one winner from each pickup day who posts their photo to win a prize!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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• Pick-Your-Own flowers at 475 Booth Hill Road in Shelton.

  • Friday, August 22 - 4 - 6 p.m.

  • Saturday, August 23 - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

    

    Bouquets of flowers are $30, which includes tax and a collectible transport cup for your blooms. Bring the cup to use on a subsequent visit for $1 off! Your bouquet must fit into one hand when grasped around the stems. After you finish harvesting, please see us at the checkout station for a complimentary water cup, to fit into your car's cupholder on the journey home.

    
    

• The Shelton Farmers' Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 100 Canal Street.

• The Monroe Farmers' Market runs every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m at 7 Fan Hill Road.

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STORE INFORMATION

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Here is the fresh produce we plan to have in stock while supplies last (through Friday, August 22nd):

• Basil

• Bell peppers

• Cantaloupe

• Carrots

• Collard greens

• Cucumbers (slicing and pickling)

• Eggplant

• Garlic

• Grape/cherry tomatoes

• Green & wax beans

• Hot peppers (assorted)

• Husk cherries

• Kale

• Onions

• Peaches

• Scallions

• Shishito peppers

• Swiss chard

• Tomatillos

• Tomatoes

• Yellow squash

• Zucchini

CURRENT STORE HOURS:

Monday: 10:30 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

​​Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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VEGETABLE SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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MAIN SEASON WEEK 11 of 20

(Tuesday, August 19th through Saturday, August 23rd)

Share Contents (Listed approximately from shortest shelf life to longest)

Large:

• 1 1/2 lbs. of tomatoes

• 1 lb. of cucumbers

• 1 zucchini

• 1 3/4 lbs. bell peppers

• 1 onion

• 2 free choice items: TBD but WILL include more tomatillos if you didn't get a chance to make salsa verde yet...

  
  

Small:

• 1 lb. of tomatoes

• 1 lb. of cucumbers

• 1 zucchini

• 2 bell peppers

• 1 onion

• 1 free choice item: TBD but WILL include more tomatillos if you didn't get a chance to make salsa verde yet...

Storage tips and recipes for all of the vegetables in this week's share can be located on our website, here.

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Vegetable Subscription Pickup Policies

• All pickups must take place within store operating hours. For many reasons, we can't leave shares outside the store. Pickup days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

• If you need to skip your share for the week, or change your pickup day, you must provide us with 48 hours' notice for any of the options below. This is because we pack shares the day before pickup. Once your share has been harvested and packed, we can not change or cancel your pickup.

• For Tuesday pickups being changed, we need to know by Sunday.

• Wednesday pickups, we need to know by Monday.

• Saturday pickups, we need to know by Thursday.

• You have the option to choose another pickup day in a given week: we offer share pickup on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday only.

• You can skip a pickup and receive a double the following week.

• If you miss your pickup, we will hold your share for 24 hours after your pickup day, and then it will be donated to a local food pantry. With more members than ever before, we don't have the cooler space to hold onto shares longer than this. This is a great option if you accidentally miss your pickup - just come the next day.

• You can always send a guest to pick up in your place by simply notifying us of their name.

• Please send us an email to laurelglenfarm@gmail.com 48 hours before your anticipated pickup in order to make a change. You must submit your request in writing in order to leave a paper trail. This allows you to show proof to our store staff at pickup in the event that we need clarification.

• If a share is picked up outside of your scheduled time (aside from an approved change) or the 24 hour holding period, you will be billed for an additional share.