Hi there!

Welcome to Week 1 of the Summer Share 2017! First, a little note from Trevor: 

In farming, each year is similar but different.  At least that's how farmers like to talk about it.  When it's raining, we wish it were dry; when it's hot, we wish it would rain.  Farming is a lifestyle - and a culture - that balances the gifts of nature, hard work, and faith, sometimes in a melodic unison, other times in quarrel. 

But there are a few truths I can say with certainty for each season at Fresh Fork.  Our year starts out green, with leafy vegetables such as lettuce, kale, chard, and spinach.  It becomes colorful in July with abundance of zucchini, squash, tomatoes, onions, and more.  And by the fall the bounty is down right heavy - watermelons, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower.  

We hope you enjoy this culinary adventure with us as we celebrate the seasons and hard work of Ohio's farmers. Thanks for joining us. 
   
       -Trevor Clatterbuck
  "We only raise chicken on pasture. That means that fresh chicken is essentially seasonal. We believe that it is better to sell a frozen bird that was raised on green grass, in the sunlight, and with the bugs and grub of the pasture, rather than keep them in a barn throughout the Winter...."  

Click here to read the rest of Trevor's recent post, "A Farmer's Perspective- Spring Chickens" on raising poultry on pasture. 
We have an awesome bag in store for you this week: freshly-picked strawberries, kale, asparagus & lettuce. The Omnivore Shares will have a whole, free-range chicken (check out our Guide to Cooking a Whole Chicken) and the Vegetarian Shares will have some eggs, rhubarb, pasta and Guernsey yogurt. The Vegan Shares will have an extra quart of strawberries, as well as a quart of local Ohio peaches canned with honey. So much delicious food to celebrate the beginning of Summer in Ohio!

Everyone will also be getting some spelt berries in your share. Spelt is a grain that is high in protein and grows well organically and locally. It does have gluten (if you are gluten-free, please ask your Greeter for a sub), but also contains a higher amount of protein, fiber and other nutrients than wheat. It has a delicious, nutty flavor and can be made into tasty meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Rinse, then soak the spelt berries in water for a few hours or overnight, if possible. Drain and rinse again. For every cup of soaked spelt berries add 3 cups water or stock to a heavy-bottomed pot along with the berries. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir from time to time, and taste after 40-45 minutes— when they’re done they’ll be chewy with a little bite (might take an hour.)


Keep reading for more recipes, and remember to store them in your fridge or freezer, not the pantry: they're not chemically treated to extend the shelf life, so like all of our flours and grains please store in the fridge or freezer till you’re ready to cook. 
REMINDERS
Double check the timing for your stop:

WEDNESDAY
  • Brecksville: 3:00-6:00 pm
  • Solon: 3:00-6:00 pm
  • Akron: 3:30-6:30 pm
  • Lakewood: 4:00-7:30 pm
  • Chagrin Falls: 7:00-8:30 pm
  • North Olmsted:  7:30-9:00 pm



THURSDAY
  • Westlake: 2:00-6:00 pm
  • Strongsville: 3:00-6:00 pm
  • Beachwood: 3:00-6:00 pm
  • Downtown: 3:30-6:30 pm
  • Medina: 7:00-8:30 pm
  • Mayfield Heights: 7:00-9:00 pm
  • Avon: 7:00-9:00 pm


FRIDAY
  • Cleveland Heights: 3:00-7:00 pm
  • Middleburg Heights: 4:00-7:00 pm
  • Hudson: 4:00-7:00 pm
  • Shaker Heights: 4:00-7:00 pm



SATURDAY
  • Bratenahl: 8:00-9:00 am
  • Rocky River: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Mentor : 10:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Copley/Fairlawn: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Tremont: 10:00 am-2:00 pm



You don't need to arrive right at the beginning. 

Especially during the first few weeks, we tend to get a rush at the beginning and end of each stop's scheduled time. Don't worry, we have enough food on the truck for everyone and we will be there until the last scheduled minute of the stop!

Please come at whatever time is most convenient for you, but if your timing is flexible, that would ideally be in the middle of the stop's scheduled time.

If you miss your stop, head to another one. Click here for the full list


Not all weeks are created equal, but they will even out over the Summer. 

Each week's bags will be different based on what's growing. In the beginning while the weather is still warming up, the bags will be slightly smaller than when it really gets rolling in August and September. Just remember that even though each bag is not an equal "value", it does all equal out over the course of the share.


June Payment Reminders coming out next week.  

If you're on the Monthly Payment Plan and you only just signed up, we know these first two payments are close together. If you need to modify the dates to fit your budget, just give us a call (800-861-8582) and we'd be happy to help. 

There will be instructions on making a payment in that email, but you can pay online using a credit card or bring cash/check to your stop this week or next. 

If you already mailed in a check, give us a couple of days to process it and check your account again soon. 


On Wednesday we post the pictures of each bag. 

When everything is picked up from the farms on Wednesday morning and brought back to our warehouse for distribution on the routes, we take pictures of each bag and each item and post them online. You can find them by going to our website (www.freshforkmarket.com) and clicking on Bag Contents on the top menu, upper right. We also post on Facebook and Instagram every week, so be sure to follow us!


Tell your friends-- we've packed some extra shares on each truck. 
 
If you're receiving this newsletter but haven't signed up, we've ordered about 50 extra shares for this week. 

If you're already a member, don't worry your bag is guaranteed, but if you haven't signed up yet bring a check to the stop and it's first come, first served!


EVENTS
Our most popular, hands-on class on the year is coming up on June 12th!

Join Chef Parker Bosley & the Fresh Fork Team to learn all about cooking a whole chicken: carving, roasting, deboning & much more.  

$30 per participant. Dinner & whole chicken included. 
FEATURED PRODUCT
Corn Crackers on Sale!
Two bags for just $5.
Dated 6/17/17.

Pick up a few bags and a jar of salsa for the weekend.
BAG CONTENTS: WEEK 1
Just like the weather, bag contents subject to change!
Small Omnivore

Whole Chicken
Asparagus - 1#
Kale - 1 bunch
Zucchini - 1 to 2
Strawberries - 1 qt
Lettuce - 1 sleeve (2 heads)
Spelt Berries - 2#

Large Omnivore

Whole Chicken
Asparagus - 1#
Kale - 1 bunch
Zucchini - 1 to 2
Strawberries - 1 qt
Lettuce - 1 sleeve (2 heads)
Spelt Berries - 2#
Eggs - 1 dz
Rhubarb - 1#
Guernsey Yogurt - 1 qt
Green Onion Brats - 4/pack
Green Onions - 1  bunch


Small Vegetarian

Whole Wheat Pasta - 1#
Asparagus - 1#
Kale - 1 bunch
Zucchini - 1 to 2
Strawberries - 1 qt
Lettuce - 1 sleeve (2 heads)
Spelt Berries - 2#
Eggs - 1 dz
Rhubarb - 1#
Guernsey Yogurt - 1 qt


Vegan

Asparagus - 1#
Kale - 1 bunch
Zucchini - 1 to 2
Strawberries - 2 qts
Lettuce - 1 sleeve (2 heads)
Spelt Berries - 2#
Rhubarb - 1#
Canned Peaches -1 qt


Large Vegetarian

Whole Wheat Pasta - 1#
Asparagus - 1#
Kale - 1 bunch
Zucchini - 1 to 2
Strawberries - 2 qts
Lettuce - 1 sleeve (2 heads)
Spelt Berries - 2#
Eggs - 2 dz
Rhubarb - 1#
Guernsey Yogurt - 1 qt
Green Onions - 1  bunch
Canned Peaches - 1 qt







RECIPES
LINKS
OUR FAMILY OF COMPANIES
OHIO CITY PROVISIONS
Winner of Cleveland Scene's Best Butcher Shop 2017! The area's first and only all-local butcher and grocer.

Our grocery is stocked with all-local goods: seasonal produce, dried-goods, eggs, dairy & much more. 

Our whole animal butcher shop features all freshly cut, pasture-raised meats & cut-to-order sausages: pastured beef, heritage & heirloom varietals of pork, free range chicken & more.

Open 7 days a week, 10am-7pm. 3208 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland OH

Learn More
Wholesome Valley Farm
200+ acre farm known for sustainable, organic produce and pasture-raised livestock in Wilmot, OH. With a commercial kitchen, bakery & cannery on site, the 19th century barn is a perfect spot for weddings and special events. 

Learn More
FRESH FORK MARKET
A Farm Buying Club based in Cleveland, Ohio. Serving our 3k members all year round with the best food grown within 75 miles: pasture-raised meats, grass-fed dairy, farm eggs and seasonal produce.

Omnivore, Vegetarian & Vegan Shares available. Payment Plan options. 20+ pick up locations all over town. Starts at just $27 per week.