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New This Week:
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Happy pigs come from pastures
Very exciting this week, Country Time Farm
resumes delivery on Thursday! That's right, fresh pork is BACK.
Also Wills Valley, now under the ownership
of Tom Forrest, will also make a delivery to us later in the week,
so your LACTO-FERMENTED VEGETABLE needs will be met again. They
are using the same recipes and methods. Our supply of their jams
is running out, and they won't be making those again for a while,
so get them while you can.
Green Meadow Farm: RED AMARANTH, SAVOY CABBAGE
New flavors from Capogiro! In Gelato: BLACK
WALNUT, CHOCOLATE MALT, PRUNE ARMANGNAC and SWEET POTATO PRALINE.
In Sorbetto: CLEMENTINE and ESPRESSO
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Message From Sarah Cain, Farmstand Co-Manager:
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At the Farmstand, we have always used the term 'Low
Spray' in our signage as a way of signifying that a farm is using
sustainable, but not organic, growing practices. However, the correct
term for the growing method these farms use is IPM, or Integrated
Pest Management, and we are now going to be using this term in our
signage instead of 'Low Spray.'
IPM was developed in the late 1950's as a response
to a boll weevil outbreak in the southern United States. It was
found that by interrupting the life cycles of pests and diseases,
farmers could control breeding and proliferation and dramatically
reduce crop damage. The IPM program is multi-faceted, and the last
resort is the spraying of any chemicals. The four main controls
are Mechanical, Biological, Cultural and Chemical. Mechanical controls
include the continual scouting for pests and damage, trapping with
simple glue traps, hand picking, providing barriers of mesh or agricultural
fabric to protect the crop, and pheromone lures to disrupt pest
mating patterns. Besides scouting on the individual farm, there's
some pretty hi-tech help out there. The Penn State Entomology Department
even has a real-time radar system that tracks the migration across
the state of different pests, called Insect
Prediction Maps, it's fascinating. Biological controls involve
the use of beneficial insects (think the hard working Lady Bug,
who is a ferocious eater, see above), the natural predators, who
help to keep the pest insect population down. Actually, "of
the [more than] 7 million species of insects in the world, only
350 are considered pests," says the Pennsylvania
Integrated Pest Management Program. The Cultural control involves
giving your plant or crop the inputs it needs to thrive -improved
soil, correct amounts of water and light, etc. The best defense
against pests is a plant with a healthy immune system, so to speak.
The spraying of chemicals is mandated to be the
last control, and all non-toxic methods have to have been exhausted
before the use of any herbicide or pesticide. Once chemicals are
introduced, they have to be done so in stages, starting with the
least toxic option, and then gaining in strength. Though there is
currently no certification that growers are required to have as
IPM practitioners, they do keep their own records. At the bottom
of this email you can read a quick
interview I did with Ben Wenk, of Three Springs Fruit Farm,
about his experiences with IPM.
IPM is not just practiced in agricultural production
either, but also in decorative landscaping, on municipal lands and
by home gardeners. It gives the grower many tools that are environmentally
sensitive, but does not tie them to strictly organic methods should
a grower feel he is in danger of loosing his crop to infestation
or disease. We're proud to offer many products that are sustainably
raised using IPM methods, and hope that you appreciate our new,
more accurate labeling.
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Upcoming Events |
The Mill Creek Farm invites you to... A benefit
party for the Mill Creek Farm, one of the awesome urban farms supplying
the Farmstand
WHEN: Sunday, December 9, 2007, 3:00-7:00 pm
WHERE: The Ethical Society Building
1906 South Rittenhouse Sq
Philadelphia, PA 19103
WHAT: Celebrate the end of Mill Creek Farms' second season and learn
about their work growing and distributing fresh food and educating
the community about urban agriculture and sustainability.
Food and drinks from local farms, restaurants and breweries will
be served. There will also be live music featuring the West Philadelphia
Orchestra and Fan of Friends and a silent auction featuring gift
certificates from a variety of great local businesses.
WHY: The Mill Creek Farm makes fresh, locally grown food more widely
available in West Philadelphia and helps to increase food security
for the community. Supporting urban agriculture improves city environments,
builds the local economy, saves energy resources, and facilitates
community education about food, health, and sustainability.
Childcare will be available.
Tickets are available on their website
and at the door
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
Please bring cash or check for tickets at the door and silent auction.
(Sorry, but we can't accept credit cards at the event.)
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| Full Product List |
| Fruit,
Vegetables & Herbs |
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AT
BUZBY FARM, Woodstown, NJ
-nothing this week-
BEECHWOOD
ORCHARDS, Biglerville, PA – TUESDAY AM
-nothing this week-
GREEN
MEADOW FARM, Gap, PA - THURSDAY PM
Mesclun Mix
Red Amaranth
Broccoli Florets
Baby Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage – red and savoy
Mixed Brassica Leaves, in bunches
Watermelon Radish
Herbs – italian basil
Nuts! Black Walnut (Hickory has sold out, but Glenn thinks he'll
have more in a couple of weeks, sorry!)
Celeriac
Penncrisp Celery
Green & Orange Hubbard Squash
Purple Peruvian Potatoes
KAUFFMAN'S
FRUIT FARM, Bird In Hand, PA
I.P.M. Apples - Crispin/ Mutsu, Pink Lady, MacIntosh, and Jonagold
LANCASTER
FARM FRESH, Quarryville, PA - TUESDAY & FRIDAY
Organic Baby Carrot bunches
Organic Baby Bok Coi
Organic Indigo Radicchio
Organic Baby Chioggia Beets
Organic Celeriac
Organic Green Cabbage
Organic Leeks
Organic Parsnips
Organic Purple-top Turnips
Organic Beauregard Sweet Potatoes
Organic Yukon Gold Potatoes
Organic Red Norland Potatoes
Organic Winter Squash- Butternut, Spaghetti, Green Acorn, Red Kuri
LANDISDALE
FARM, Jonestown, PA - SATURDAY AM
Organic German White Garlic
Organic Baby Spinach
Organic Swiss Chard
Organic Delicata Squash
Organic Sunshine Kabocha
Organic Red Onions
Organic Yellow Onions
MOTHER
EARTH MUSHROOMS, West Grove, PA - WEDNESDAY AM
Organic Cremini Mushrooms
Organic White Button Mushrooms
Organic Portobello Mushrooms
MUZZARELLI FARM, Vineland, NJ, - TUESDAY
Red Sweet Potatoes
White Sweet Potatoes
OLEY VALLEY MUSHROOMS, Oley, PA - WEDNESDAY AM
Gray Oyster Mushrooms
Yellow Oyster Mushrooms
Shiitake Mushrooms
Royal Trumpet Mushrooms
OVERBROOK
HERB FARM, Lansdale, PA – FRIDAY AM
Herbs – Assorted Thyme, Bay Leaves, Rosemary, Oregano, Sweet
Marjoram, Cilantro
Sorrel
PARADISE
HILL FARM, Vincentown, NJ - ALL WEEK
White Heirloom Cranberries
Red Heirloom Cranberries
PARADISE
ORGANICS, Paradise, PA - WEDNESDAY AM
Organic Broccoli
Organic Brussels Sprouts
Organic Rutabega
Organic Green Kale
Organic Radicchio
Organic Winter Squash – Butternut, Kabocha and Sweet Mama
Organic Leeks
RINEER
FAMILY FARMS, Pequea, PA - TUESDAY AM
Red Potatoes
Purple Top Turnips
SUBARSHII KUDAMONO,
Germansville, PA - FRIDAY PM
Asian Pears
THREE SPRINGS
FRUIT FARM, Aspers, PA
-nothing this week-
TUSCARORA ORGANIC GROWERS CO-OP,
Hustontown, PA - WEDNESDAY
Organic Golden Beets
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| Meat,
Poultry & Fish |
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All
animal products are humanely-raised without the use of sub-therapeutic
hormones and antibiotics.
BUCK
RUN FARM, East Fallowfield, PA
Angusburger
CL
BISON FARM, Quarryville, PA
Ground Bison -temporarily replaced by Bison Patties
Bison Sausage
Spicy Bison Sausage
COUNTRY
TIME FARM, Hamburg, PA - THURSDAY
Scrapple
Pork Butt Roast- great for pulled pork!
Pork Cutlets
Hardwood Smoked Bacon (nitrate free)
Pork Loin Roast
Pork Tenderloin
Smoked Ham Slices
Baby Back Ribs –temporarily out-
Chorizo Sausage
Mild Italian Sausage
Hotdogs
DIAMOND
SEAFOODS
Wild Alaskan Salmon filets
JAMISON
FARM, Latrobe, PA
Lamb Legs
Kebab Meat- from the leg
Stew Meat - from the shoulder
Lamb Shoulder - boneless, bone-in
Ground Lamb
Plain Lamb Sausage
Spinach & Feta Sausage
Merguez Sausage
MEADOW
RUN FARM, Lititz, PA
Lamb – all cuts available
Whole Chickens
Breakfast Links with Sage
Smoked Sausage
Ground Pork
NATURAL
ACRES FARM, Millersburg, PA
Organic Hamburger
Organic Delmonico Ribeye Steaks
Organic Porterhouse Steaks
Organic Beef Cubes
Organic Marrow Bones
Organic Chicken Backs or Necks
SHADY ACRES FARMS, Elizabethtown, PA
Chicken Breasts (both bone-in and boneless) and Legs
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| Eggs,
Cheese & Dairy |
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All
products come from pastured animals. We are proud to carry
artisinal cheeses from local farms. Please ask for a sample.
APPLE TREE FARM, Ronks, PA
French Herb Chevre
Chipotle Chevre
Cranberry Almond Chevre
Honey Pecan Chevre
Onion Chive Chevre
Roasted Garlic Chevre
Plain Chevre
Goat Feta
BIRCH
RUN HILLS FARM, Chester Springs, PA
Blue Cheese
GREEN
MEADOW FARM, Gap, PA
Raw Milk Cheddar - very sharp and crumbly
Cultured Butter - both sweet and salted
Heavy Cream
HENDRICKS
FARM & DAIRY, Telford, PA
Raw milk cheeses from registered Ayrshire cows
Cow Pies - a soft cheese with a bloomy rind. Mild in flavor
with a delectable and creamy texture. Most often compared to Camembert.
Grass Stains – The Cow Pie with the addition of and herb crust
and black pepper inside.
Bavarian Swiss - a Gold Medal winner in 2006. Gouda-like, aged
cheese.
Gruyere - Aged over a year version of their Bavarian Swiss,
wonderful & creamy
Pub Cheddar - aged at least 8 months, and very distinctive
KINGFISHER
DAIRY, Elizabethtown, PA
Raw Whole Milk
Raw Milk Colby
Raw Milk Colby Dill
Raw Milk Herbal Jack
LERAYSVILLE
CHEESE FACTORY, LeRaysville, PA
Sommelier - A semi-soft cow milk cheese
Smokey Delight - A smoked version of the Sommelier
MAPLEHOFE
DAIRY, Quarryville, PA
Skim Milk
2% Milk
Chocolate Milk
Buttermilk
MEADOW
RUN FARM, Lititz, PA
Pasture Raised Brown Eggs
NATURAL
ACRES, Millersburg, PA
Organic Pasture Raised Eggs
OAK
SHADE FARM, Lancaster County, PA
Smoked Cheddar
Horseradish Cheddar
Pepper Jack Cheese
OTTERBEIN ACRES, Franklin County,
PA
Ewe's Dream cheese – What they used to call 'Romano'
NATURAL
BY NATURE, West Grove, PA
Organic Half-and-Half
Organic Non-homogenized Whole Milk, in glass bottles
Organic Sour Cream
Organic Ricotta
Organic Whipped Cream
PEQUEA
VALLEY DAIRY, Ronks, PA
Yogurt - plain and flavored, in both quart and 6oz sizes
RINEER FAMILY FARM, Pequea, PA
Pasture Raised Brown Eggs
SEVEN
STARS FARM, Phonexville, PA
Biodynamic Maple Yogurt
Biodynamic Vanilla Yogurt
Biodynamic Lowfat Maple Yogurt
Biodynamic Lowfat Plain Yogurt
SHELLBARK
HOLLOW FARM, West Chester, PA
Dry Sharp Goat Cheese
Goat Yogurt
Goat Kefir
SWISS
VILLA DAIRY Lykens, PA
Raw Whole Milk, in returnable glass bottles
TWIN
MAPLE GOAT DAIRY, Bath, PA
Raw Goat Milk
VALLEY
SHEPHERD CREAMERY, Long Valley, NJ
Oldwick Shepherd - a mold ripened raw sheep's milk cheese cave-aged 3-4 months
Califon Tomme - a mild cheese made with cow and sheep milk
Nettlesome - aged sheep's milk with stinging nettles
Fairmount - another mixed-milk cheese, this done in the 'Alpine' style
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| Prepared Foods, Baked Goods & Other |
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From
small local farms and food companies using local and/or organic
ingredients.
BETT'Y'S
TASTY BUTTONS, Philadelphia, PA
Fudge
Fudge Sauce
CAPOGIRO
GELATO, Philadelphia, PA
Black Walnut
Chocolate Malt
Prune Armangnac
Sweet Potato Praline
Chocolate
Blueberry Thyme
Melon
Espresso Sorbetto
Clementine Sorbetto
Rosemary Honey Goat Milk
Mint Straticella
CHILLY
PHILLY ICE CREAM, Philadelphia, PA
Vanilla
Vanilla Malt Chip
FRESH
TOFU, Philadelphia, PA
Organic Tofu
GILDA'S
BISCOTTI, Philadelphia, PA
Biscotti - Cherry pistachio, Chocolate hazelnut, Espresso, Lemon
fig, Cherry pistachio, "Dad's midnight stash"
"Gilda's sweet meringue kisses"
HELEN'S
PURE FOODS, Cheltenham, PA
Hummus - Plain, Garlic Lovers, Sun-Dried Tomato, Jalapeno and Roasted
Red Pepper
Baba Ghannouj
Carrot Tofu Tahini Spread
Vegetarian Chicken Salad
HENDRICKS FARM
AND DAIRY
Cow Pies
Bavarian Swiss Cheese
LANCASTER
FARM FRESH, Quarryville, PA
Homemade Spelt Noodles
MAINE
SEA SALT, Marshfield, Maine
Sea Salt
McGEARY
GRAIN/DAISY BRAND FLOUR, Lancater, PA
White Pastry Flour
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
OLD EARTH FARM
- Oley, PA
Red Raspberry Jam
Raw Honey Granola
PATTERSON
FARMS, Sabinsville, PA
Maple Sugar
RAY'S
SEITAN, Philadelphia, PA
Seitan, frozen
ROSS'S
ESPRESSO BARS, Kensington, PA
-temporarily out-
SLOW
RISE BAKERY, Lancaster, PA
Organic Oat Bread
Spelt Bread
7 Grain Bread
Multigrain Bread
Whole Wheat Bread
Organic Sprouted Wheat
Organic Walnut Raisin Bread
Four Seed Cookies
Maple Walnut Granola
Honey Oat Crisps (like a granola bar)
Lavosh
SMALL
VALLEY MILLING, Halifax, PA
White Spelt Flour
Whole Wheat Spelt Flour
SPRING
HILLS FARM, Dalton, PA
Grade A Maple Syrup – pints and quarts
Grade B Maple Syrup – quarts only
Grade C maple Syrup – quarts only
STARBARS,
Philadelphia, PA
Chocolate Cherry
Carrot Papaya
Maple Walnut
Campfire S'More
SUBARASHII
KUDAMONO, Coopersburg, PA
Dried Asian Pears
WILLS
VALLEY FARM, Kutztown, PA - THURSDAY
Organic Preserves – Blueberry, Blackberry, Peach, Raspberry,
Rhubarb, Strawberry Rhubarb
Organic Raw Sauerkraut, 14 and 30oz sizes
Organic Raw Red Cabbage
Organic Kim Chee
Organic Fermented Red Beets
Organic Fermented Ginger Carrots
S&C
GOURMET FOODS, Philadelphia, PA
Mild Pickles
Hot & Spicy Pickles
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| Sarah
Cain interviews farmer Ben Wenk about IPM: |
Sarah: Could you give me a few quotes about
some of the methods you use within the program?
Ben: Gladly. We strive to be able to look our
customers in the eye and confidently and truthfully tell them
that we grow everything in a responsible and sustainable way.
And what this means specifically is practices like extensive monitoring
of disease and insects (one of my jobs on the farm). We
sync my findings with models of the lifecycles of the pests that
affect our crops so that our sprays are as few as possible and
as effective as possible (we can wait till populations are most
vulnerable).
In regards to what we spray, our first choice would be a product
that uses more environmentally friendly or "soft" modes
of action. A mode of action is the chemistry term for what
is eliminating the pest. Older products (and usually cheaper
products) are simply neurotoxins and will affect all of the members
of the agroecosystem. When such a product is available,
we'll use a product that will affect the morphology or fecundity
of a specific organism that's a pest of our crop. In other
words, if we detect a large population of Tufted Apple Budmoth,
we have a product that will keep its mouthparts from forming –
problem solved, they can't eat our apples, they're eliminated
while all the other members of the ecosystem thrive (including
the ones who are natural enemies of the moth and who will tolerate
the application and be abundant when the moth population rebounds
– biological control!)
We also work hand in hand with research in innovative and sustainable
research being done at Penn State, working as a cooperating grower
in a few of their experiments. One project is devoted to
studying the area-wide effects of what's called "mating disruption".
This pest control disperses naturally-occurring insect sex pheromones
all over the orchards, causing the male moths to be very "confused"
and unable to mate. No mating = no moths. No spraying
= win, win. After all, spraying is costly and time-consuming,
and if it were all the same to us, we wouldn't do it. However,
the eastern U.S. climate all but requires that we must spray (rain
= rot).
Sarah: Who do you show your records to?
Ben: All of our processing fruit buyers receive our
spray records and our larger, local wholesale accounts do as well.
We stand behind what spraying we do (see above).
Sarah: What are some of the challenges your orchard
has faced over the last few years?
Ben: We've been fortunate to have had a consistent
pool of labor so far, but that's certainly the biggest challenge
that awaits not only us, but everyone in American agriculture.
Our fields were quarantined as part of the state and federal program
to quarantine the Plum Pox virus (PPV). Plum pox is a virus
that causes a fruit finish problem in some stone fruits (peaches,
plums, nectarines, etc.) but poses no threat to human health.
I actually had a job testing imported Chilean stone fruits for
PPV as an undergrad, so I'm particularly familiar with it.
It's a very significant pest in Europe and there is no treatment.
PPV was found in a neighbor's orchard and this prevented us from
planting new peach trees for a number of years (when we really
wanted to be planting peach trees). That's just one example
– this job is a new challenge every day
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All donations to White Dog Community Enterprises, a 501c3 charitable organization, are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The official registration and financial information of White Dog Community Enterprises may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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