Last share of the season – but we still want to see you one more time!
Hi everyone!
Thank you all again for an amazing season! While we’re sad to be coming to an end, the shift is always a nice change pace but I’m sure I’ll be longing for Spring and fresh produce sooner than later. This newsletter is a little long, so here is a quick TLDR; tote return Tuesday November 14th 6-8p @ Monochrome (reach out if another time works better), complete this survey for a free larder item at tote return, end-of-season potluck 11/15 12-3pm (location tbd) and recommendations for where to find local produce over the winter, and our reflections on the season.
Tote Return
While this is the last share, we still want to see you all one more time to collect totes and containers. You’ve probably already heard this from us, but our tote bags are rescued via zero-waste spaces (facebook groups, eco-ship, etc.). Because of that, they aren’t particularly easy to replace so we appreciate your help making sure they find their way home at the end of the season. We’re looking forward to giving them some needed love over the winter so that they are ready to go for next season. We’ll plan to keep our same cadence and setup at Monochrome Tuesday November 11th with the regular reminders ahead of time.
Feedback Survey
We need your help! The seasonal nature of a CSA gifts us with the perfect opportunity to reflect, adjust, and plan for next year. We love to take full advantage of that, and feedback from you gives us perspectives that we don’t have. This survey shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. If you complete the survey, when you return your last tote and containers we’ll have a gift for you. In the last couple of weeks we’ve been able to build up our pantry with pickled beets and begin fermenting cabbage for sauerkraut. We’re excited to share these items with you all as an incentive to both returning totes and sharing feedback.
End-of-season Potluck
Join CSA Club members in sharing some tasty food and celebrating the . Block your calendars for Saturday November 15th 12-3pm. We’re still working on the location, but we’re aiming for somewhere in the Logan Square/Wicker area. With the cooler temps, we’re looking for something indoors so breweries/taprooms are where are minds are at the moment. If you have any suggestions send them our way! We’ll send out more details as we get closer.
Hope you enjoy the share!
-Ben
Offseason Local Produce
Fall/Winter CSA
- Nichols Farm & Orchard
- Nichols offers both a fall and winter CSA share. The fall share is essentially an extension of their summer CSA and runs through December. It is pretty large: weekly full shares, so 4x the veggies as a CSA Club half share. Its a lot of storage crops that last a long time though so you can fill up your pantry for the holidays and the beginning of the new year. Their winter CSA is every-other-week Jan-Mar, and will feature their storage crops as well as preserves, microgreens and popcorn. Their Winter Shares sold out quick last year so be sure to sign-up soon to reserve your spot!
- OTIS Fresh Farm
- OTIS has a winter CSA that runs until the end of the year. We actually haven’t tried their CSA before, but have been following them for a bit since they’re a worker cooperative (subtle foreshadowing) so wanted to shout them out. Let us know if you give them a try!
- Urban Canopy
- Urban Canopy’s Local Unified CSA (LUCSA) is a favorite of ours, especially in the winter. They do a bit more aggregation and sourcing from a number of local farms in addition to their own farm in Englewood. LUCSA shares also include non-produce items like bread, eggs, and mushrooms which is great for the winter when the produce available is less diverse. Plus they offer every-other-week & delivery options which we love.
Home Delivered Local Produce
- Three Sisters Garden
- Three Sisters Garden is located out in Kankakee, IL. They grow some of the most incredible produce in the area and are often featured on the menu of our favorite restaurant, Lula Cafe. With only a $20 order minimum, Three Sister Garden offers free delivery around the Chicagoland area on Wednesdays and Saturdays (you just have to remember to place orders the Monday/Thursday ahead).
- Nichols Farm & Orchard
- Nichols also offers a la carte veggie orders for delivery with a $12 delivery fee.
Winter Farmer’s Markets
- Green City Market Avondale (West Loop & Lincoln Park outdoor markets continue through Nov.)
- Saturdays 8am – 1pm, Dec. 6 – Mar. 21 (except 12.27 and 1.3)
- 61st Street Farmers Market
- Saturdays 9am – 2pm, Nov. 1 – Dec. 20
- Second Saturdays of the month, Jan. 10 – Apr. 11
Special requests
- Reach out! We follow a number of local farms’ produce availability. If you’re planning an event and want to make sure your produce is sourced locally, let me know and I can find what’s available to fit your need from amazing local producers.
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