March 24th Tour of Suzie's Organic Farm

Clairemont Produce Cooperative has a unique opportunity on March 24th to learn about organic farming at Suzie's Farm, a local CSA.  We will meet at Suzie's Farm by 11:30AM for a basic tour of their operation.  The cost is $2.50 per person.  Bring a sack lunch to eat after the tour.  We will then drive to the non-profit, Wild Willows Farm which is adjacent to Suzie's Farm to offer our volunteer time from 1-4PM.  Dress in layers and wear sturdy, sensible shoes.  This is a great opportunity to bring the whole family learn more about the challenges faced by CSAs and bond with your community!

So sorry I've neglected you!

My 2012 resolution is to post periodically in addition to emailing you.  Special thanks to Alec Bloem of ACE Hardware for hosting our kickoff meeting last Saturday!  Alec was surprised and delighted to receive his gift basket of home grown produce from our gardens.  Alec is giving his garden center a face lift with the help of Frank the Gardener!  Please stop by and check it out in the next month or so.

We have a lot planned for this year so please tell your friends!  March 24 is the date I'm proposing for the tour of Suzie's Farm followed by some honest hard work at Wild Willows non-profit farm.  Suzie's is offering a discount to just $2.50 per person for the basic tour but we need 15 people.

Our next exchange is February 11th.

Does anyone know how to set up web pages??

CPC Mention in this week's Reader

Thank you Mac and Sue for your letter in this week's Reader!  I hope more people become inspired to work together to grow and share healthy food.

Don't forget that our next exchange is on Saturday, October 15th. 

I would also like to schedule the potluck after our November exchange on November 12th.  I hope this works for everyone.  Location is TBD for now.  You should bring anything you consider to be "comfort food".  Every nationality has a different dish that falls under this category whether it's fried hushpuppies or stuffed cabbage. I think we'll all leave feeling both full and very comforted!

I'll see you at our next exchange!

-Lisa

This is the place to get a hold of each other!

I hope that all CPC members will begin to use this blog to get in touch with each other for quick exchanges, information and brainstorming.  Networking and communication are important--they keep this group exciting.  Don't lose sight of the "community" side of the equation and  how fun it is to find surprises in your variety bag at the end of the exchanges.  The next exchange is on October 15th.  What's in your bag?? ;-)

Thank you for another great exchange!

Thank you members who were able to participate in the produce exchange yesterday and don't forget that our next one is on October 15th! -Lisa

Produce Exchange, Saturday, September 10, 2011

If you are interested in participating in a produce exchange next Saturday, September 10th, please let me know by Wednesday, September 7th.  I'm also looking for indoor locations for a meeting/potluck in November so if you have any ideas on venues, please let me know.  Have a great week and a relaxing Labor Day!

Gazpacho Recipe from Leslie

This recipe can be used for the last of your summer harvest!

1 cucumber peeled
3 tomatoes peeled (you can blanch them for 15 seconds to peel them easily)
1 onion peeled
1/2 Green pepper
4 cups water
4 cups french bread (crust removed) broken apart in chunks
1 Tbsp lemon pepper
4 tsp salt
2 tsp chopped garlic
1/4 cup wine vinegar (or use half lime juice and half balsamic vinegar)
4 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 green onion finely chopped an d3 slices cooked crumbled bacon for garnish

Assembly:
Cut a small amount (1tsp) of each vegetable and finely dice reserving for garnish.  Put remaining ingredients in a food processor and puree.  Simmer on low for 3 hours.  Chill and service with the diced vegetable and toast points.  Lesley says you can add a little seeded and minced jalepeno to the soup before processing for extra zip!