CSA Organic Produce Share - WINTER SEASON 2012 - Week 1

Welcome to your CSA!
Lettuce eat our way to something better

Lately, it seems the Virgin Islands have been reflecting with growing intensity the larger story of the world -a painful fall of unsustainable industries, governments, and widespread unrest. Yet these things are not to dread. Instead, they harken an inevitable return to the realities many have forgotten -especially when it comes to food. 

Community Supported Agriculture is an evolution of thinking. You are no longer a "consumer" in your relationship with this food. With your investment you have pledged to be an integral part of your food system, showing your trust and commitment to us farmers, and to the nature that sustains us all. You are healing humanity and the earth by the way you eat, one season, one week, one meal at a time. 

The weekly bags of food we deliver won't feed you for the entire week. They are meant to augment your local food supply and inspire you to eat foods that are organic with a high life-force energy. We have selected the best organic crops to give you a variety of raw and cooking options. This variety will expand throughout the season, and we are so excited you will get to enjoy it as the season unfolds.

Thanks again for taking part in the VI CSA Winter Season. As we dial in our delivery process, please feel free to leave feedback and come see us at the farm!

~Nate Olive, Director

WTF (What's That Food)? 

This week's strange food item: Chaya

Also known as "Mexican" or "tree" spinach, Chaya was listed by the National Academy of Sciences as one of the most "underexploited" food plants in the world. This native to central america and the caribbean has very high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and carotene, & Vitamins A, C, & B. It is also easy to grow and can resist drought (iguanas, however, are a different story). It cooks like collards and can be used like spinach after being boiled. Add your favorite spices  after boiling, draining, and chopping into strips -Nate recommends turmeric & curry!

So why has this not become a major crop? Echonet.org explains, "One consideration with chaya is that it should not be eaten raw. It contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can lead to cyanide poisoning. These are inactivated and released as a gas by frying or boiling for 10 minutes. (We discard the cooking water, but that is not essential.) Brief stir-frying is not adequate cooking." read more about Chaya

**Chaya must be cooked for 10-15 minutes before it can be eaten!!**
 ·In a study completed by USDA, chaya leaves were found to contain substantially greater amounts of nutrients than spinach.

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Saba, Shelli, Nadja, & Ellen at Ridge to Reef Farm

Meet the Farmers...
Ellen E. Nettles 

Ellen's vibrant spirit arrived on St. Croix 11/3/11 as an intern to help us launch our CSA this winter. She already had made farming experiences and she had a vision that sharing community sustainable agriculture practices are key to realizing a peaceful, cooperative, abundant, and enlightened society.

When we lost the connection to her physical body through the Annaly tide pools on December 8th, a strengthened spirit of community and purpose awakened for many of us, unifying our vision at Ridge to Reef Farm and in our local Frederiksted community.  She taught us to appreciate each moment in life. This first CSA delivery is manifestation of that shared vision and a lot of hard work. Ellen planted many of the seeds you will enjoy and her spirit lives strong.

We dedicate this year of CSA to Ellen Elizabeth Nettles.

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From the Field...

 It is impossible to describe the sensory explosion that greets you upon arrival at Ridge to Reef Farm. What a place! I arrived on the island a month ago but it feels like much longer. Having come from a small CSA in Connecticut before departing for warmer soils, I was expecting the usual hum and buzz that comes with living on a working farm. But nothing could prepare me for the experience and learning during my stay within this beautifully and intentionally designed landscape.
 
First of all, did you know that papayas can be eaten while they are still green? Or that coconut water is delicious in soups? If you aren’t already amazed listening to this: banana plants are actually grasses, and their squishy light, yellow peels are edible! Every day I discover something new. Time at the farm seems to slow down if not stop entirely, although the work certainly doesn’t! 
 
I am part of the Ridge to Reef Empowering Community Pathways program which is a month long intensive training on a diversity of topics relating to cultivating food, sustainability and empowering community. In total we are 6 people helping to care for our crops, animals and landscape. The shared labor and the good company keep the jokes coming and the laughs rolling.

~Julia Meurice, Ridge to Reef Pathways Program 

Ariela, Julia and Nadja (on the picture from left to right) during the Natural Building Workshop as part of the Ridge to Reef beneficial Farmer Training Program.

   



PO Box 2903 - Frederiksted USVI 00841 - www.visfi.org - info@visfi.org - 220-0466 
Ridge to Reef Farm @ Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute

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Gaia triangle with new trellises

The Week's Harvest
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Radishes
Carrots
Arugula
Chaya**
Green Bananas
Green Papaya
Basil
Thyme
Turmeric
Oregano
Welcome gift (CSA bag)

**IMPORTANT: Please refer to the WTF section of the newsletter for cooking instructions!!!


THANK YOU HOSTS!

Pick-up times:

Polly's at the Pier Frederiksted, St. Croix 
Wed 3:30-5:30pm

Barefoot Buddha Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 
Thur 11:30am-1:30 pm

Miriam's Restaurant Christiansted, St. Croix 
Sun 4 -5:30pm

Farm Recipes

Chaya-Papaya-Pan
by Patrick

You need: 
Bag of Chaya (NEVER EAT RAW) 
1 green papaya 
1 onion 
1 garlic head 
oil
a pinch of salt
pepper & paprika (hot pepper)

Directions: 
Boil Chaya in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes! Peel and slice papaya, onion and garlic. Saute garlic, onions and papaya in oil. Add seasoning and chopped chaya when papaya is soft and cook for a few more minutes.   

VI Banana Fries 
by Shelli 

You need: 
Green bananas
frying oil
Salt & Chili Powder/Paprika/ Nutritional Yeast   

Directions:
Peel bananas off with your hands. If not possible cut them off with a knife. Start heating the oil to fry the bananas and slice the bananas. Add your favorite seasoning and enjoy!

The all-new Ridge to Reef bag

CSA Bag Re-use

As a bonus in the CSA, each member receives a free reusable CSA tote bag to keep at the end of the CSA. It is important that you return your bag clean each week to the CSA pick-up representative, so we can re-use.

This allows us to minimize waste and avoid using cheap plastic grocery bags that have a habit of ending up in the ocean. The reclaimed nylon material will last for years!

Forget your bag? We will still give you another one, although there is a $10 fee for lost bags. And yes, you can also buy extra, as they make great gifts while supporting organic food in the USVI!

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Wish List 

Got some things laying around we can re-use in the CSA?

• egg cartons
  
• shallow, sturdy plastic trays for upcoming tomato harvest
  
• milk crates
  
• coolers
  
• zip-locks
  
• popsicle sticks
  
• tarps
  
• any working garden tools
  
• generator, chainsaw, weed-eater
  
• sign-making
  
• carpentry
  
• massages:)
• your CSA bags!
  
• feddback