Welcome to Week 13 of Island Health’s Farm Stand!

While the rainy season has not yet begun, it is clear that daylight hours are getting shorter. This is the second to last Farm Stand of the season with late summer produce ripening beautifully. Tomatoes, cucumbers, local corn on the cob and blackberries are abundant, as well as fresh melons and spicy peppers!

Under normal circumstances, early variety apples such as Gala and Honeycrisp would be undergoing harvest, however, a cold spring will likely cause a smaller than normal apple harvest this fall. Read more: https://www.kuow.org/stories/not-as-many-apples-are-coming-from-washington-this-year

It is easy to find yourself in a rut when cooking with vegetables. Exploring a variety of herbs, spices and cooking techniques can help keep things interesting.

Roasted vegetables can take on many flavor profiles depending on how you season them. Try sprinkling a variety of spices on before baking, such as smoked paprika, ground cumin, or turmeric and black pepper. Alternately, keep the vegetables simple and toss in a bowl with a flavorful sauce such as pesto, chimichurri or harissa.

Harissa is a paste of chili pepper, garlic, olive oil and some aromatic spices commonly consumed in Northern Africa. While simple enough to prepare, harissa is also found ready-made in jars at most grocery stores. Try this harissa roasted vegetable couscous for a quick and satisfying side dish: https://islandhealth.org/healthy-recipes/harissa-roasted-vegetables-with-couscous/

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 Mills 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/

Ebb & Flow Herb Farm grows culinary and medicinal herbs with which they sell fresh, dried and as blended teas and seasonings. Also available will be artisan goat milk soaps and selection of fresh vegetables!

Weekly Fresh-to-Go (FTG) Bags

Fresh-to-Go Bag Contents for Tuesday, August 30th

• Schuh Farms Corn
• Choice of Greens
• Beets
• Nectarines
• A Surprise!

How to Order Fresh-to-Go (FTG) Bags

• Email farmstand@islandhospital.org by noon on Monday, August 29th 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, August 30th, 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.
• Pay at the Farm Stand.

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

The Island Health Farm Stand runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every Tuesday from June 7th to September 6th. The Farm Stand is held in the 24th Street courtyard on the Island Health campus, just to the east of the main campus entrance. Island Health employees and the local community are all welcome to attend.

Thank you,
Island Health Employee Wellness