Island Health Farm Stand News – 6/14/2022

Welcome to Week 2 of Island Health’s Farm Stand!

Thanks to all who came out to our first Farm Stand of the season! The weather was perfect and we had a great time seeing so many hospital employees and community members in the 24^th Street Courtyard!

The meteorologists are predicting over an inch of rain in the next 24 hours! While farm fields are soggy, the sun has successfully ripened the first of Schuh Farm’s strawberries. We are excited to announce a limited supply of strawberries will be available at the Farm Stand on Tuesday!

Asparagus season generally runs mid-April through May, but because of our chilly spring, we are still harvesting the last of the asparagus this week! According to Washivore.org, Washington asparagus is shipped to every state in the nation as well as throughout Europe and Asia. To keep asparagus crisp, make a fresh cut on the bottom of stalks and stand in a glass of water in the fridge.

Did you know that radish greens and stems are edible? While not the most palatable in their raw form, radish greens are an easy addition to stir fry or to bulk up a batch of creamed spinach. If you have eaten all the spears out of your pickle jars but still have the brine, blanch radish greens for 30 seconds in boiling water, drain, and place in the jar of brine for an easy pickled green to eat with rich meats or grain bowls!

Beets are one of those vegetables people feel strongly about—either you love them or you hate them! If you find yourself in the second camp, try tossing chopped beets in avocado oil and balsamic vinegar and roast until soft. Roasting beets brings out their sweetness. By adding the balsamic vinegar before roasting, the liquid concentrates into a syrup, further sweetening this pretty root vegetable.

Kale arguably has the best flavor this time of year while leaves are still young and tender. The cool evenings keep them sweet so this season’s kale is best for eating in fresh salads. When serving a kale salad, make sure to use your clean hands to massage olive oil into each leaf to further soften this hearty green.

This Week’s Participating Vendors

• Schuh Farms will be providing their wide selection of Skagit grown produce, berries, flowers, honey, and cookies as well as choice items from family farms in Eastern Washington. https://schuhfarmswa.com/
• Water Tank Bakery is back by popular demand with their artisan breads and cookies made using craft techniques and Washington grown Cairnspring Mill flour. https://www.watertankbakery.com/
• Dog Island Mushrooms grows a variety of culinary mushrooms on Guemes Island and will bring mushrooms by the pound and mushroom growing kits. http://www.dogislandmushrooms.com/

Weekly Fresh-to-Go (FTG) Bags

Fresh-to-Go Bag Contents for Tuesday, June 14

• Kale
• Strawberries (1 pint)
• Beets
• Radishes
• Asparagus

How to Order Fresh-to-Go Bags

• Reply to this email by noon on Monday, June 13th to indicate you want the current FTG bag.

• • Please include a contact phone number (prefer cell phone) when placing your order.

• Pick up FTG bag from the Schuh Farms booth at Farm Stand on Tuesday, June 14th, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• • Please pick up your Fresh-to-Go bag by 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, unless you make a special arrangement when replying to this email.

• Pay at the Farm Stand.

  If you pre-paid for the entire season there is no need to respond to this email, we have you on the list!

Thank you,

Island Health Employee Wellness