Market Notes for Sept. 27
Happy Autumnal Equinox + Welcome Autumnal Abundance!
We could all use some beauty and balance in these dark times, and so the universe obliged!
That rainbow appeared during last Friday’s market harvest. And then earlier this week, the sun rose due east and set due west, and the hours of dark and light were perfectly balanced in a brief equilibrium as the sun moved southward across the celestial equator.
Already we are enjoying slightly longer nights, which will stretch longer and longer until we reach the winter solstice in December. Then we welcome the quiet time of rest and rejuvenation to come in deepest winter.
But for now, we are still chasing the sun and all the bounty of both summer (tomatoes! okra! beans!) and fall (radishes! kale! choi! and so much more!
Peak Season Peck Specials on Tomatoes!
Henry thought last week was the peak, but the tomatoes fooled him, and have keep pumping out fruits, so he is pumping out PEAK SEASON PECK SPECIALS — this week ONLY, and by pre-order!
Pre-order your peck by texting Henry at 309-613-2696. Please text between 4:30am and 6pm Friday, Sept 26, and tell him:
Your Name
How many Pecks
What type of tomatoes in your Peck (see choices below)
For example, “My name is Jane Austin, and I’d like 2 pecks of Heirloom firsts, all Red Brandywines.”
Or “My name is John Steinbeck, and I’d like 1 peck of mixed seconds. If you run out of seconds, I’ll take a peck of mixed firsts, Henry’s choice.”
Your Peck Choices are as follows:
Peck of SECONDS (a mix of heirlooms and hybrids) for $20
NOTE: There are very few seconds, so it’s first-text, first-served! If it turns out we are out of seconds, let us know if you would take firsts as a back-up, or not.Peck of MIXED FIRSTS, Henry’s choice, for $45. Henry chooses a nice mix of different varieties of heirlooms, along with a few hybrids.
Peck of a specific variety of HEIRLOOM FIRSTS (you tell us the variety), for $50.
Peck of 2 or 3 varieties of HEIRLOOM FIRSTS (you tell us the varieties) for $55.
Peck of HYBRID FIRSTS for $35
Henry’s heaping pecks of tomatoes are about 16 pounds. He says after this week there will be a steep drop-off, so don’t miss out on the Super-SALE PECK PRICES — this week only!
Although it is late in the season, Henry says the flavor of these tomatoes is excellent. He said that every night after dark he eats a dinner consisting of slices of tomato with cheese on top — basically slice, eat, and repeat — until he works his way through 4 or 5 big tomatoes.
Check out the Amazing FALL GREENS & ROOTS!
Henry says there will be more LETTUCE and more BROCCOLI, but you still need to get to the market before 9 if you want some!
There will also be more BEETS, and lots of different RADISHES, TURNIPS, and POTATOES.
And he says he has the best BEANS of the year — sweet, tender, and absolutely delicious!
And of course lots and lots of all your favorite CHOIS, KALES, and other GREENS.
In fact, he says this will be his biggest, most abundant and beautiful display of the year — don’t miss it!
And don’t miss Henry’s Annual Farm Tour & Festivities
Harvest celebrations have long been a way to observe the Autumnal Equinox, and although Henry’s Farm Tour and Festival is a couple weeks away, our evening bonfire under the stars is a great way to honor the equinox, the bountiful earth, and the infinite sky. So we invite you to gather with us on Oct. 11!
As always, you may come and go as you wish throughout the afternoon and evening, but the general schedule is:
ARRIVE any time after 12:30
TAKE Henry's "Name That Vegetable" Quiz before going on a tour (at which time the answers are revealed).
TAKE a TOUR with Henry. Start times are 1:00, 3:00, & 5:00pm, but you may jump in at any time.
EAT a fabulous field-to-table buffet meal any time from 2 to 5pm, with fresh food being made and put out continuously. (We encourage you to eat earlier in the time frame because the buffet line is usually longest between 4 and 5pm.) The dinner is optional, but highly recommended since it is prepared on-site by Chef Christopher Sullivan of Twilight Kitchen in Rogers Park. Tickets are only $25 (adult) and $12.50 (kids 12 or under), and must be purchased by Oct. 1, so click the button below!
DRINK and BE MERRY! We will be pressing apple cider on-site, and we'll have a few other drinks, but encourage you to bring your own.
ENJOY MUSIC by Skiffle Pop, a fabulous band led by longtime CSA member Bob Broad.
BONFIRE, MUSIC + DANCING. At dusk (a little after 6), we will light the bonfire, and there will be music, singing, dancing and plenty of time to hang out and talk around the fire. Please bring your musical instruments, voices, and dancing shoes!
We hold this event rain or shine, so dress accordingly!
