What's Fresh From Our Farms...      

Alewive's Has Your CSA - And Spring Lettuce on the Way

Spring is here! (Quick, someone tell the weatherman!) Which means it's time to start thinking about signing up for your CSA for the 2015 summer season.  We'll once again be running a 10 percent discount on all levels, from $100 to $500. Check our website for details.  

We'll be putting CSA money towards our market rebuild, which we're happy  to report, has been fully permitted! (We would never have guessed a year's worth of paperwork was required to simply rebuild a farm stand!) Now comes the task of coordinating all the amazingly talented Cape Elizabeth businessmen who have so generously offered to donate their time and expertise to m ake this dream come true. And a tremendous 'thank you' to our entire community for your continued support. We're very excited for what this season holds for our family and for generations to come.

We've uncovered the 2500 heads of lettuce Caitlin planted in the high tunnel in November (our first season using it); many survived our brutally cold winter. Look for these beautiful heads of early lettuce in the market soon.  We had also planted garlic in the high tunnel, which did well too. But until that's ready to harvest, enjoy our special homemade garlic powder - an easy way to cook with everyone's favorite flavor.  

Still available from last fall's storage crops are: carrots, beets, potatoes,  onions, sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabaga, kohlrabi, and squash. And though this long cold winter has made it tough to get out on the water to lobster, a few braved the elements and continue to bring in the catch. So if you have a craving for some true Maine cuisine, stop by our farm stand any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to satisfy that lobster 'need'. 

Jordan's Has All You Need for 'Local' Spring Suppers
Now, and CSA Shares to Use This Summer

 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares are offered by farmers in the spring to help bring in funding as pre-season costs are escalating. They're a great way to help support agriculture and to save consumers $$, as they give buyers a discount. Now is the time to sign up for your CSA share from Jordan's Farm - which can be used at our farm stand on 21 Wells Rd.  Go to www.jordansfarm.com and click on the CSA tab for details. CSAs can be used for any product we sell at our Wells Rd. location - from compost to veggies and meats!

 

Also, we're getting ready to open for soil products in April; just need a bit more snow to melt first. Friend us on Facebook to receive updates and find out when you can get your compost, soils, and landscaping products.

 

Have you visited our year-round location in South Portland yet?  The Farm Stand at 161 Ocean St. is your fully stocked source for Maine foods and beverages, including local meats, poultry, dairy, breads, wine and beer. Stop by and reserve your Easter ham or lamb, plus grab some great veggies! It's one-stop shopping at The Farm Stand. Open Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Jordan's Farm, www.jordansfarm.com, and on Facebook.

 

 

The Straw is Peeking Through the Snow on the Strawberry Fields - Berry Season is Coming!

 

It's a sure sign of spring when Maxwell's fields are starting to 'melt'.  Lois (Maxwell) Bamford reports that husband Bill follows family farming protocol by talking to the plants often - even under the snow.  It makes them feel loved and helps them grow!

 

Busy at Maxwell Point Vineyard - Even in Winter    

The Maine Food Strategy Is Working to Grow Maine Agriculture  

The Maine Food Strategy has lots of ideas to help Maine expand agricultural offerings and opportunities. Here's the organization's current list of what consumers can do to enjoy more local foods:

10 Ways to Eat More Maine Food in 2015

Plan meals around foods that are in season.  

Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm or Community Supported Fishery (CSF) to enjoy local, fresh food year-round while supporting Maine farmers and fishermen.

Buy fish and shellfish with the "Gulf of Maine" label and patronize restaurants that serve locally caught or farmed fish products.  

Encourage your school or college to serve more Maine food.

Join a food council to help bring more locally grown food to your community.  

Feature Maine food at your organization's meetings, conferences and events, and let participants know where the food came from.   

Start a backyard garden or join a community garden this season. If you already grow food, try to add one new vegetable for more variety.  

Use Maine honey and maple syrup to sweeten foods.  

Buy ag products like beeswax candles and wool to support the larger food system.

There are lots more details and links on the MFS website, including a link about the upcoming documentary, "Youth Food Revolution"; you can watch a terrific trailer here. 

Lobster Harvest and Retail Prices are Up - But What  

Does the Future Hold for the Fishery?     

For the second year in a row, Maine lobster values (at retail) hit record highs in 2014. And this winter's prolonged cold temperatures are predicted to be a boon for the coming hard shell harvest.  To keep this trend rolling, new marketing initiatives aim to broaden the market internationally for Maine's iconic shellfish.  Catch up with recent articles in Mainebiz and The Portland Press Herald.  (Prices are expected to rise this summer, which is just what for our very hard-working fishermen and women need. But you may want to enjoy more lobster now!)  

Warm Soups Put a Spring Twist on Fall Storage Crops  

This is a hard month to feel really enthusiastic about cooking.  But creamy soups and salads that highlight our fall storage crops can freshen the palate and bring some color to the table. 

Try this Sweet Potato & Turnip Soup for a pleasant change, and a surprise - it's terrific!  (The turnip influence is minor - just enough.)  And enjoy colorful beets in both a Soup with Fennel and a bright salad.  These should cheer you up until our farmers bring in our beloved green spring foods!