Wednesdays - Organic Pizza Nights in The Loft!

Join Us Wednesday Evenings for Organic Pizza and Ice Cream

Wednesdays mean Organic Pizza Night at Trader's Point Creamery!  Come for the delish thin crust pizza  handmade with the freshest organic ingredients we can find, as well as homemade soup and a fresh house salad!  There'll be a mini complimentary wine-tasting, so you can choose a divine wine to go with your pizza.  And, of course, we have amazing Creamline Ice Cream for dessert!  

We invite you to join us in the Loft for "Pizza Night and Wine Tasting" every Wednesday from 6 pm - 9 pm.  

Artisan Cheese Medley  - A wonderful blend of cheeses including Traders Point Fleur de la Terre, Traders Point Fromage, Traders Point fresh mozzarella, as well as provolone and parmesan.

Margherita  - Red ripe roma tomatoes, Traders Point fresh mozzarella, red onions and spiced olive oil topped with fresh basil from our garden.

Garden Veggie -  Red ripe roma tomatoes, striped summer squash from our garden, red and yellow sweet bell peppers, and a mix of wild mushrooms, topped with a blend of cheeses, including Traders Point Fleur de la Terre and fresh mozzarella.

Carne  - Hand cut bacon and homemade sausage made with Gunthorpe Farms pasture pork, sun-dried tomatoes and red onions topped with our Traders Point cheese blend. 

 

Come out on Wednesdays for the "Farm goes to Italy" experience!  It's going to be FUN!

Friday Night - High Fashion Designer Burgers and Haute Dogs Come to Dinner

Even though the weather's been a little unpredictable, you can count on Friday night dinner at the Farm!  (But we're not sure if it'll be on the Deck on in The Loft until we see what the weather is up to!)   To continue celebrating summer in style, we're having our Fashion Food Dinner, starring "Designer Burgers" and "Haute" Dogs. 

Don't worry about getting too dressed up for the occasion, our food will understand (in fact, it will be happy that you're not competing for "Best In Show")!  

"Designer Burgers" start with 100% grass-fed organic, beef.  Next you can choose the gourmet cheese of your liking, and then pile high with fresh, appetizing accoutrements.  Lastly, drizzle any condiments of your liking on top!  That's a grassfed burger with a Paris-flair that can only be made locally!  Create your own, or try one of the amazing combinations our chefs have dreamed up:

• Baja Burger: lime cilantro yogurt, fresh garden salsa, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, avocado, and shredded lettuce
• BBQ Pineapple: grilled pineapple, housemade BBQ, and shredded lettuce
   

Our "Haute Dogs" are equally fancy - we're pulling out all the stops to give you a dog that you could take to the Opera! - we're pulling out all the stops to give you a dog that you could take to the Opera!  Try the:

• Chicago dog: fresh tomato slices, homemade pickles, celery salt, carmelized onion, saurkraut, and hot peppers in a hoagie bun
• German style dog: brown mustard, and fresh, organic saurkraut

For kids, we will have the fasionable options or "dressed down" versions.  We'll let them create a masterpiece! 

Our "Designer Burgers" will be accompanied by summer fruit salad made with the freshest organic melons and berries we can find, and pasta with fromage (commonly known as "macaroni and cheese"), a rich and indulgent blend of our cheeses mixed with perfectly al dente macoroni noodles. 

Post-"Food Inc." - Actions You Can Take!

If you haven't yet seen it, get over to Landmark Keystone Arts Theater really SOON!  ("Food Inc." is playing through Thursday, August 20 (tomorrow) at 4:15 and 9:45.  Go here for more information tickets.landmarktheatres.com/Landmark.aspx. 

Trust us, you don't want to miss this one!  Even if you think you already "know" the information, seeing it is powerful.  Knowing that so many people in our area have seen it that the theater HELD IT OVER is powerful.  We (people who care about our food and demand that food be real) are becoming powerful.  Yes, you, the consumer, have power! 

What are you going to do with your power?  Have you signed the petition to support healthy food choices in schools?  Go to "Food Inc.'s" website www.foodincmovie.com/ if you'd like to do that!   Or you can explore ways to get involved in the food movement locally and globally at www.takepart.com/foodinc.  Of course, you can continue to support organic & local family farmers by shopping at our Green Market.  There are other great suggestions for ways to get involved or take action (small and large) at  www.foodincmovie.com.  Of course, in addition to using your food $$$ to support organic and local food growers, many organizations advocate for organic and local food.  To give your resources (monetary or time) go to www.foodincmovie.com and pick your favorite!  (Or ask us for recommendations of local organizations!)

Closer to home, we're wondering if any of you have other ideas?  A group you want to form?  Legislation that needs be drafted?  Want to know what changes others have made to work towards a healthier, safer, more humane food system?  If "Food Inc." has gotten you as inspired and excited as it has us, let us know!  We'd love to hear about it - and we'll pass around names and numbers if people are interested in forming a group. 

At the Creamery, we know that food is not just about what you put in your mouth - it's about the traditions, the people you share it with, and the community that grows and eats it!

What You Should Know About E. Coli

By now, most of us have probably been through several "e. coli scares." First it was hamburgers from fast-food chains, then peanut butter, spinach, tomatoes...is there any food that we shouldn't eye with suspicion?  

Facts are power, so we thought we'd explain e coli and (hopefully) leave you in the driver's seat! 

• Most strains of E. coli are harmless bacteria that lives in the gut of warm-blooded animals (cows, and, yes, you and me too!)  They even "pull their weight" by keeping out harmful bacteria and producing vitamin K.  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli
• A particular type of e coli, termed the "O157:H7" variety can cause serious food poisoning problems, and even (rarely, thankfully) death. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli
• E coli O157:H7 is relatively new - it was first identified in 1982, when it caused people who had eaten fast-food chain hamburgers to become seriously ill.  discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/toxic-salad/article_view
• E coli O157:H7 can survive in an acidic environment, unlike many other e coli.  www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi This is termed "acid adaptation" and is thought to be one of the reasons that this strain not only survives, but thrives, in the human stomach.
• Most of the e coli O157:H7 that humans are being infected with originates in the stomach of cows.  Once this bug exits the cow, it can survive for more than 77 days on lettuce, on carrots for at least 175 days, and on onions for at least 85 days. discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/toxic-salad/article_view
• Conventional wisdom is that a certain amount of this toxic strain of e coli will show up in your meat (and maybe your produce), so meat should be heated thoroughly (cook the crap out of it!) and produce should be carefully washed.  www.medicinenet.com/e_coli__0157h7/article.htm
• There appear to be two ways to prevent e coli O157:H7 from contaminating food:

1. make sure the food supply does not come into contact with infested manure or that the bacteria has been "deactivated" (see discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/toxic-salad/article_view), OR
2. change the pH of a cow's stomach so that this nasty bug that thrives in acidic environments no longer has a hospitable place to grow.

• Most, if not all, of O157:H7 e coli WOULD NOT exist if a cow's stomach pH were neutral.  Cows that eat grass have a stomach with a neutral pH (this is the natural state of the cow).  Cows that are fed grains (such as corn) have a stomach with an acidic pH, which allows this nasty bacteria to thrive. 
• Both Nina Planck (Real Food: What to Eat and Why) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) have stated that grass-fed cows DO NOT have the lethal O157:H7 e coli.  This idea is further supported by studies showing that cows whose diet was switched from grain to grass for 5 days had a thousand-fold decrease in O157:H7 e coli. See Nina Planck, Real Food: What to Eat and Why, citing T.R. Callaway et al, "Forage Feeding to Reduce Preharvest Escherichia coli Populations in Cattle, A Review," Journal of Dairy Science 86 no. 3 (2003): 852-60.

The take home message?  Know who is selling you your meat and produce (so that you can rest assured it's not contaminated with manure) and eat grass-fed beef and milk products!

TPC Summer Farm Camp a Smashing Success

We'd like to thank all the "little farm hands" who joined us this year for Summer Farm Camp at the Creamery!  Camper, farmers, and counselors all had great fun (and got the work done) on the farm.  

For many of the kids, the best thing about camp was getting to hand milk Dee Dee, one of our most gentle and accommodating milk givers.  The children also participated in the collecting and washing of eggs, and the feeding of the calves and chickens.   When not "working," the little farm hands could be found creek stomping, fishing, gardening, and exploring the production room during their 3 days.  It was a highly interactive, educational, and (most importantly!) enjoyable experience for all. 

We look forward to returning and new campers alike for Summer Farm Camp 2010!  Registration will begin in February 2010.  We hope to see you there!

 

Full House of Vendors and A Bounty of Green Product at Friday's Green Market

 

Home bakers and whole grain fans are all invited to stop by the Fields of Agape table. Talk to their friendly farmers about the health benefits of incorporating whole flax seed into your diet, or have them grind a few pounds of their locally-grown, totally organic wheat into high-quality flour right at the table.

This week's vendors will be:

 *Aboubakar Allal - handmade silver, leather and wooden works, as well as traditional drums from Niger, Africa  

 

* Brandywine Blackberries - organic blackberries and spaghetti squash 

 

* Bluffwood Creek Organic Farm and Apiary -honey sticks, hand cream, lipbalm, honey candy, bee pollen, honey, and SWEET CORN

 

* Country Mouse City Mouse-condiments, dips, soups and dressings made from generational recipes; organic orange-lavender lemonade and hibiscus-blackberry tea served in biodegradeable cups  NEW: SHAFFER SISTERS DOUBLE MANGO CILANTRO VINAIGRETTE.

* Countryside Orchard - Red Free and Mollie’s Delicious apples; possibly also CANTALOUPE this week

 

* Daina's Petite Pies - single serving dinner and dessert pies made with premium local meats and vegetables

 

* Feast Catering - a variety of tamales, sweets, salsas, wild Chanterelle mushrooms, Chanterelle Mushroom Pie, and, for a limited time, sweet-corn-and-basil tamales and PEACH BLACKBERRY TARTS 

 

* Fields of Agape - chemical-free grains (Omega III golden flax, hard red wheat berries, hard white wheat berries); free flour grinding while you wait

 

* Flower Child Aromatherapy - handmade soaps, sachets, incense, and perfumes

 

* Harvest Cafe Coffee Company - freshly brewed coffee, a variety of freshly roasted coffee beans or freshly ground beans, loose tea, iced tea and iced mochas.  

 

* Kelsey's Cultured Foods - cultured organic vegetables

* Life Farm - certified organic produce. This week's features are heirloom tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes, squash, American slicing cucumbers, sweet white onions, eggplant and leeks

* Litterally Divine Toffee and Truffles-chocolate and vegan truffles (made with organic ingredients) and almond toffee (both vegan and organic), coffee toffee made with Harvest Cafe Coffee's beans. NEW: ICE CREAM TOPPINGS

* Magnolia Mill Farm – green beans, eggplant, squash, peppers and OKRA

* New Leaf Farm - pledge-organic produce, including zucs, tomatoes, green beans, yellow wax beans, summer squash, bell peppers, jalapenos, cucumbers, and mini melons

 

* Pet Lover’s Organic Bakery - handmade organic pet treats; 50% of sales go to benefit the Humane Society

 * Phelps Family Farm - a variety of beef and pork meats, sausages and eggs

 * Redwine Farm - farm fresh eggs, organically grown vegetables and cut herbs, hot sauce and pepper seasoning. This week’s features are beets, mild onions, peppers, zucs, salad cucumbers

 * Seldom Seen Farm - transitional organic produce. This week's features are gourmet lettuce mix,  topped beets sold by the pound, shallots, bulb onions, heirloom and red tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, arugula, various bunched mustard greens, cilantro, parsley, summer squash, pea shoots, bell peppers in red, purple green,  SUNFLOWERS, and FLOWER BOUQUETS

* Seven Springs Farm - beef, chicken (whole and parts), eggs, popcorn. Now taking orders for Thanksgiving turkeys!

* The Swiss Connection - unique (and delicious) cheeses, meats (including beef sausage products) and ice cream, plus a variety of pet products

* TraceyClean – A full line of household cleaning products, including surface cleaner, glass cleaner, scouring powder, air freshener, dusting aid, laundry soap, and fabric softener. All are made from ingredients that are effective, yet safe for you and the environment

* Trader's Point Creamery - organic milk, ice cream, pourable yogurt, artisan cheeses, eggs, and ground beef

* Valentine Hill Farm - variety of whole grain breads, English muffins, thai basil and whole wheat pastas, European style lemon pound cake and spritz cookies (all made with certified organic ingredients)

* Zen Sheep Farm – certified organic lamb cuts, fresh tarragon and thai basil, plus organic wool pillows, yarn and roving

 

***Come rain or shine!  See you on the front green or back in the Red Barn!

Quote of the Week

"If 19 million pounds of meat distributed to half of this country had been contaminated with a deadly strain of E. coli bacteria by terrorists, we'd go nuts. But when it's done by a Fortune 100 corporation, we continue to buy it and feed it to our kids."

  "Just Cook the Crud Out of It," Diane Carmen, Denver Post, July 25, 2002

 

Recipe of the Week - Melon Salsa

From Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, here is a fantastic way to showcase the fresh produce you'll find in season at the Green Market!

MELON SALSA
(Makes six generous servings.)
1 medium cantaloupe
1 red bell pepper
1 small jalapeno pepper
½ medium red onion
¼ cup fresh mint leaves
1-2 tbsp honey
2 tsp white vinegar

Dice melons and peppers into ¼ inch cubes. Finely mince onion and mint. Toss with honey and vinegar, allow to sit at least one hour before serving over grilled chicken breast or fish filet.