Monthly Archives: July 2014
Welcome to the 4th Fruit Delivery of 2014; July 30 & 31
I am fortunate to work directly with so many fantastic fruit growers. Many are 3rd, 4th and even 5th generation growers who grew up on the farms they currently work and who have a direct connection with their customers. With my many visits to orchards I am always struck by each grower’s attention to detail. They give much thought and care to producing the best tasting organic fruit all the while maintaining their concern for the environment, their employees and their customers. These direct personal connections and the stories we share with you are intended to give you the greatest confidence and trust in where and how your fruit was grown.
Last week a voluntary recall of stone fruit was made by Wawona Packing Company based on a positive test for Listeria monocytogenes. I can assure you that FruitShare has not purchased any fruit from Wawona. They sell to large establishments like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, Wegman’s, Kroger’s, Food 4 Less among others. Thankfully no one has become ill from their fruit and Wawona worked hard to get the word out and correct the issue with their customers.
Enjoy another delicious box. The summer fruit season is short.
To Your Health
Everett Myers, Founder of FruitShare™
In Your Box
Flame grapes
Summer Bright nectarines
Bluecrop blueberries
Dapple Dandy pluots
Valencia oranges
Champagne grapes!!!
Coming soon: Colorado peaches
Storage and Ripening
Keep all of the fruit in your refrigerator except for your nectarines. The nectarines will be ready to eat when the flesh gives to gentle thumb pressure. Keep the grapes and blueberries in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Only wash your grapes and blueberries just before eating them, as moisture can lead to mold due to the high sugar content in these grapes and blueberries. Blueberries can be easily poured into a zip lock bag and frozen. After fruit is frozen, we like to use it in smoothies, no sugar necessary because they are so sweet on their own. Remember to check your fruit bowl every day and enjoy what is ready. Placing any of the fruit in the refrigerator will give you more days to enjoy it, but don’t forget about it – you want to enjoy each piece at its prime. Pluots many people like crispier if this is the case for you put them in the refrigerator right away. The Valencia oranges will keep best in the fridge too.
What It Takes
Three Sisters Farm, owned by Joe and Johnni Soghomonian, is famous for their champagne grapes. Located near Fresno, CA, they use beneficial grasses and flowers – especially poppies – as cover crops, making their vineyard exceptionally beautiful. Three Sisters has been certified organic since 1981, but even before Joe and Johnni began farming, Joe’s parents owned the farm. Some of the vines are over 80 years old and are still producing champagne grapes! You might be wondering, what exactly is a champagne grape? Believe it or not, champagne grapes are not used to make champagne. Those grapes only come from the Champagne region of France, whereas champagne grapes come from all over. Champagne grapes are technically called Black Corinth grapes, and they are tiny, seedless grapes – smaller than your pinkie fingernail – they are one of the oldest cultivated foods in the world! When dried, champagne grapes are called Zante currants. They are perfect for snacking, and they have less crunch than other table grapes. Because they are so small, some people even eat the stems and all! The tiny, dark red grapes also make for beautiful edible centerpieces, but eat them quickly because they don’t last long outside of refrigeration. Joe and Johnni also grew these delicious Flame grapes, Enjoy.
Your blueberries were grown by 5th generation farmer Angelica Hayton. She began selling the berries in a little stand at the end of her driveway when she was in 5th grade. In 2001, when she was old enough to drive, she started bringing berries to Pike Place Market and soon more farmers markets followed. As each preceding generation passes the farm to the next, so too passes the responsibility of continuing sustainability, adaptation, and tradition. Growing foods organically has been a passion for her. It was important to Angelica that Hayton Farms supply the markets with the best possible product, and for them that means organic produce.
When I first visited Rob’s orchard and packing shed near Wenatchee, WA 5 years ago I was impressed with how great attention to detail was in every aspect of the orchard. Instead of picking stone fruit into bins like many large orchards do. Rob came up with the idea of hand picking directly into 2-gallon pails. The pails are then stacked in bins and moved to the packing line where the fruit is packed directly from the pail into the boxes. Rob discovered he could harvest the stone fruit closer to the thumb pressure give point and get us sweeter juicier nectarines. Rob keeps trying new things in the orchard and his packing shed every year to get us the most delicious fruit nature will provide. You can enjoy his nectarines with confidence knowing that Rob’s family has been in the agricultural business since 1921, with Rob representing the third generation of orchardists.
The Valencia oranges this week again come from John at Sespe Creek. The Valencia oranges are super juicy and with their sweet-tart flavor, they are perfect for squeezing a glass of fresh orange juice. One orange sliced in half and squeezed will typically fill a 4 to 8 oz glass. They also make a great snack, but can be difficult to peel, so your best bet is to slice Valencia’s into wedges. We recommend storing the oranges in the refrigerator so the skin does not dry out, but it’s okay to leave them on the counter if you prefer your citrus at room temperature. Valencia oranges are at their peak in the summer unlike most citrus. They’re fresh juice is refreshing a great treat in salad dressing, summer barbeques and spritzer drinks
Health and Wellness
Did you know that 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime? That’s a big number. But did you know that there is an emerging movement to tackle cancer simply by eating the right kinds of foods? The idea is to “starve cancer” by eating healthy, flavorful foods that work against a process called angiogenesis, which is the way microscopic cancers gain blood supply. By eating to starve cancer, you can help prevent cancers from beginning to grow in your body. Some of the fruits that do work to stave off cancer include: apples; blueberries; cherries; cranberries; grapefruit; nectarines; oranges; peaches; and grapes; to name a few. Read more at www.eattodefeat.org.
Recipe
Summer Peach Pie Crumble (of course you can substitute nectarines, pluots and even blueberries here too)
1/4 cup rolled oats (25g)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp sugar or agave
2 1/2 tbsp coconut flour
6 loosely-packed cups sliced peaches
Optional: 3 tbsp oil or melted butter spread
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 380 F and grease an 8×8 pan. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl, and stir very well. Put peaches in a separate large bowl, add the vanilla extract and optional fat source, and stir to coat. Now evenly disperse the crumble on top of the peaches, and stir until it’s as evenly coated as possible. Pour into the pan, and cook 50-60 minutes, opening the oven after 30 minutes to turn the peaches (so all sides cook evenly).
Courtesy of chocolatecoveredkatie.com/
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Welcome to the 3rd Fruit Delivery of 2014; July 16 & 17
While many of us were enjoying our 4th of July holiday, our growers were working day and night to bring in the cherry, blueberry and peach harvest. Enjoy the Red (cherries), Blue (blueberries) and White (peaches)!
To Your Health
Everett Myers, Founder of FruitShare™
In Your Box
Lapin Cherries
Summertime yellow peach
Spring Snow white peach
Valencia oranges
Duke blueberries
Mariposa plums
and Flavor King pluots!!!
Storage and Ripening
Keep all of the fruit except the cherries, oranges and blueberries on the counter at room temperature. The stone fruit will be ready to eat when the flesh gives to gentle thumb pressure. Don’t wait too long peaches will be best eaten right when they give to thumb pressure. Keep the cherries, oranges and blueberries in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Only wash your cherries and blueberries just before eating them, as moisture can lead to mold due to the high sugar content in these cherries and blueberries. Peaches are great sliced up on anything for breakfast or you can slice them and place in a freezer bag to freeze. Blueberries can be easily poured into a zip lock bag and frozen and you can also pit cherries and freeze them. After fruit is frozen, we like to use it in smoothies, no sugar necessary because they are so sweet on their own. Remember to check your fruit bowl every day and enjoy what is ready. Placing any of the fruit in the refrigerator will give you more days to enjoy it, but don’t forget about it – you want to enjoy each piece at its prime!
What It Takes
Your incredible Lapin cherries are grown by Apple and George. They have been growing organically for over 30 years, and they believe firmly in the benefits of organic agriculture. When they bought their current orchard in 1997, the crops were already planted and pesticides were present. Over the next few years, Apple and George slowly transitioned the land back to its natural, organic state, enduring tough harvests and learning loads. They haven’t looked back. Now, George enjoys the simple pleasure of watching folks eat the cherries he and his wife grew on their central-Washington farm. Apple, the self-professed philosophical spouse, loves being part of a bigger movement and of course providing some of the healthiest, tastiest food grown today.
Since transitioning their orchard to organic, Apple and George have harvested some of our favorite fruit of the summer year after year. They employ about 40 seasonal workers, who work in an environment free of harsh chemicals alongside Apple and George, their three grown children plus their significant others. Harvest days began at 2:00 AM, with head lamps this year, and packing went on until 9:00 PM. The orchard is only 3.5 acres large, but the small size allows for plenty of care. The cherries are hand-selected, so you know that the cherries in your box are truly at their peak of ripeness. Sometimes Apple, George and their team of harvesters sweep through the orchard on four separate occasions.
Bill Zirkle’s ancestors first moved from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to Eastern Washington and began growing fruit shortly after the civil war. Zirkle Fruit has been family owned ever since. As a result, there have been many lessons about growing fruit passed down from one generation to the next.
“My father Lester pushed the importance of quality. He always told me to grow quality fruit first, last, and always. People are always looking for an excellent piece of good quality eating fruit. You’ll always be successful if you work hard but smart. Grow the right thing and be willing to change. Find out what people’s desires, wants, and preferences are, and grow to their needs rather than try to sell them what you have.”
When asked how Bill has had success growing the family orchard. Bill replied “Our philosophy is pretty simple: find good people, pay them well and treat them like you would like to be treated.” Bill’s son Mark now runs the family fruit business which they market under the Rainier name.
The quality of these berries are obviously grown and packed with a lot of love and attention to detail. We are thankful that Bill listened to his father and Mark is listening to his dad to bring us such tasty blueberries.
When you talk with Greg you understand how strongly he believes in growing fruit organically and doing the small things that make your peaches taste great. He and his family have been growing organic fruit for over 20 years. He loves having his family share his passion of harvesting the best fruit nature will provide us. Knowing where your food comes from and that it has been grown in a healthy and sustainable way is what motivates Greg and his family Rosalie, Erin, John and Jay. We are fortunate to get their peaches this week.
John at Sespe grows these incredibly juicy Valencia oranges that make the perfect cup of juice. The valencias have skin scaring that can happen since there are no fungicides and petroleum based waxes used in organic production. The scaring won’t affect the taste of the fruit. Cut these in half with the stem and bottom ends facing the side (cross section) and squeeze into a class. These are so loaded with juice that one will fill the glass. Drink up directly or added to season a grilled dish or if you are so inclined a refreshing spritzer. Valencia’s are the rare summer orange and at their peak now.
Health and Wellness
We all know that sitting around all day is bad, and that we should exercise to stay healthy. It is recommended that we exercise for 30 to 60 minutes five times per week, plus two to three weekly resistance training sessions, like weightlifting. That seems like plenty of exercise…right? A new study discussed in the Washington Post finds that our sedentary lifestyles are harmful for our health, even if you are meeting the recommended guidelines for exercise. The study, from the American College of Sports Medicine, is still very new and results are still being analyzed. However, it seems clear that no matter how much you exercise, sitting for prolonged periods of time can still harm your health. If you sit at a desk all day or drive long distances, you are probably at a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes. So what’s the solution? Based on the preliminary evidence, the way to counteract the negative effects of sitting still for long periods of time is simple: get up. Carol Ewing Garber, associate professor of movement science at Columbia University, recommends moving around every 30 to 60 minutes – “get up while you’re talking on the phone, just for a minute or two,” she recommends. Taking short breaks to move around and stretch out is good for your focus, too. So, get up, shake it out, and take a breather; it could be a powerful way to stay healthy.
Recipe
Flourless Anything Crumble
This recipe is great with stone fruit and berries
4 cups fruit peeled and sliced (peaches, blueberries, plums, pluots, cherries or whatever is in season)
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup almond meal
½ cup quinoa flakes
A pinch of sea salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degree F
Toss the fruit in a shallow baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and the lemon juice. Mix the almond meal, quinoa flakes, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the 2 remaining tablespoons of maple syrup and the olive oil and mix until just combined. Crumble the mixture over the fruit and bake until the topping is browned and thefruit is bubbling, 20-25 minutes.
Recipe compliment of Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Turshen “It’s All Good” cookbook.
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Welcome to the 2nd Fruit Delivery of 2014; week of July 1
I eagerly await the blueberries every year. When they arrive I find myself eating 2-3 pints in a day. I never feel guilty because with only 226 calories in an entire pint, I know the nutritional value of “super blues” which, with loads of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber, will serve me well. Compared to any nutrition bar I choose blueberries. This weekend I’ll be riding in the Lutsen 99er mountain bike race in northern Minnesota, and I’ll be pre-fueling for the race with blueberries and providing blueberries for all the racers as recovery food as well. They just can’t be beat. If you didn’t get enough blueberries today, you can order them by the full case for at least the next 2 weeks. Happy 4th of July!
To Your Health
Everett Myers, Founder of FruitShare™
In Your Box
Sweet Scarlet Grapes
Flavor Crest yellow peach
Honey Blaze nectarines
Show Time red plums
Red Raven black plums
Valencia oranges
Duke blueberries!!!
Storage and Ripening
Keep all of the fruit except the grapes, oranges and blueberries on the counter at room temperature. The stone fruit will be ready to eat when the flesh gives to gentle thumb pressure. Some people like plums and nectarines more firm. If this is the case for you, place them in the refrigerator and enjoy them firmer. Keep the grapes, oranges and blueberries in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Only wash your grapes and blueberries just before eating them, as moisture can lead to mold due to the high sugar content in these grapes and blueberries. Nectarines and peaches are great sliced up on anything for breakfast or you can slice them and place in a freezer bag to freeze. You can also slice and freeze plums and peaches or whole grapes and even blueberries. After they are frozen, we like to use them in smoothies, no sugar necessary because they are so sweet on their own. Remember to check your fruit bowl every day and enjoy what is ready. Placing any of the fruit in the refrigerator will give you more days to enjoy it, but don’t forget about it – you want to enjoy each piece at its prime!
What It Takes
The blueberries are from our favorite blueberry farmer, Lou. At his farm in New Jersey, Lou and his wife, Liz, grow some of the best blueberries we’ve ever tasted. They are big, plump and very flavorful – you’ll notice the difference as soon as you eat just one! Lou and Liz’s farm is a busy hive of activity throughout the growing and harvesting season, and they don’t take the easy way out when it comes to farming. Organic growing practices require a lot of effort, and they like to be as hands-on as possible, which is why they have just a small team of workers. Lou and Liz truly have the best interests of their kids, employees and customers at heart. And we think that’s why they have some of the best blueberries we’ve ever tasted.
Mike Naylor has provided the gorgeous peaches and nectarines. The yellow peaches have the classic sweet-tangy peach flavor that is so popular in the summer months. Mike has been farming organically since 1990. He converted the farm to organic practices after inheriting the orchard from his father because he was concerned about the negative effects of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers on workers and in the water. Mike now allows visitors to come to his orchard and rent a house there! His fruit is so special because he picks and packs it directly in the field, so it is riper and sweeter than many other orchards. You’ll taste the difference in this week’s peaches and nectarines!
The Sweet Scarlet grapes this week are from Roy Rucker. He has a long history of organic farming. He has been farming his land at Rucker Homestead in the Coachella Valley of California since 1955. Besides his incredible seedless green grapes, Roy grows grapefruit, tangerines, oranges, blood oranges, lemons and tangelos. The Sweet Scarlet grapes are so good we gave you extra this week. Enjoy!
Dick Kauffman finds organic farming much more satisfying than conventional methods. He shares having volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps with FruitShare founder Everett Myers. After years of farm management in the Napa area, Dick began his own orchard and switched over to organic growing methods in 1999. Now, he has 82 acres of delicious stone fruit, including the red and black plums in your box.
John at Sespe grows these incredibly juicy Valencia oranges that make the perfect cup of juice. Cut these in half with the stem and bottom ends facing the side (cross section) and squeeze into a class. These are so loaded with juice that one will fill the glass. Drink up directly or added to season a grilled dish or if you are so inclined a refreshing spritzer. Valencia’s are the rare summer orange and at their peak now.
Health and Wellness
Blueberries are known as the #1 superfood, and they are truly one of the healthiest foods you can find. They are low in calories, yet very high in nutrients your body needs to stay healthy – a term nutritionists call “nutrient dense.” Blueberries contain tons of antioxidants, which fight harmful by-products in your body called free radicals. Free radicals are thought to cause cancer and age-related diseases, and antioxidants help fight these conditions. Blueberries also help lower your cholesterol; in fact, the USDA found that blueberries can lower your cholesterol more effectively than prescription drugs, due to a special antioxidant called pterostilbene. Because of this, blueberries can be very helpful in preventing obesity and heart disease. Blueberries may also help improve your memory, concentration and balance. The antioxidants in blueberries also support the health of your eyes and eyesight. Preliminary research shows that blueberries can help protect against age-related deterioration in the brain such as short-term memory loss. There is even some evidence that blueberries may be able to help reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. No wonder blueberries are considered the master of superfoods! So eat up and enjoy – those tasty berries are doing much more than tickling your taste buds!
Recipe
Family Favorite Waffles with Peaches, Nectarines, Blueberries and Walnuts (GF too!)
This is a family favorite that we have modified again and again to suit dietary needs. It works well gluten free and we have also tried varying amounts of ground flax seed (to keep the kids’ chagrin..).
1 cup flour (or GF flour and 1 tsp xanthan gum)
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
3 T melted butter
3 eggs
3 tsp baking powder
½ cup walnuts
3-4 peaches, nectarines sliced
Plain Greek yogurt
Real Maple Syrup
Mix dry ingredients, add wet to dry, mix, let sit a few minutes, make waffles. Top with fresh peaches, nectarines, blueberries, walnuts, plain Greek yogurt and real maple syrup.
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Angelic Organics Fruit News 