Our University City neighborhood drop spot is located at 6232 McPherson Ave., which is just west of Skinker between Delmar and Forest Park Pkwy.   

From Skinker, between Delmar and Forest Park Pkwy., turn west onto McPherson, then make an immediate right at the fork.  6232 is the fourth house on your left.  Please park on the road.  Your share boxes will be located on the porch in front of the house either at the front of the house or over to the side.

Return to Pick Up Locations

Locations:

Tuedays & Fridays 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Riverbend Roots Farm, 4625 Seminary Rd., Alton IL 

Tuesdays 2 p.m. -  8 p.m.:

• Edwardsville, The Right Balance, 435A S. Buchanan, Edwardsville, IL, on the sidewalk in front of store
• St. Ann, 10525 Mert Ave, St. Ann, MO, in front of garage door
• Creve Coeur, 1430 Jaywood Dr., Creve Coeur, MO, on the front porch
• Kirkwood, 915 Craig Dr., Kirkwood, MO, next to garage at top of driveway
• Webster Groves, 505 Selma Ave, Webster Groves, MO, inside garage through side door.
• Maplewood, The Healing Arts Center, 2601 S. Big Bend Blvd., St. Louis, MO, on loading dock at north side of building
• Brentwood, The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, along north wall near northwest door

Thursdays 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.:

• Tower Grove, 4058 Flad Ave., St. Louis, on back porch, accessed through side gate
• Central West End, Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Pl (at Taylor), inside northeast gate (key required)
• University City, 6232 McPherson, just off Skinker, either on front porch or side porch.
  

Several of our drop spots are more flexible with times.  Also, at some drop spots the shares are available much earlier than the stated times. Please check with us on the actual situation at your pick-up spot. 

It is always important to respect the needs of our drop spot hosts.  Please be attentive to keeping their home or business clean and organized.  We request that members unfold their boxes when leaving them at the sites (so that our hosts don't have to do the extra work). 

Thank you!

May 14, 2012       

Here is the link to web version of this newsletter

The 2012 Harvest Season begins! 

       We're so happy to finally harvest your first crops!  So far, spring has been mostly wonderful, which is a relief after the last couple of years of cloudy, wet springs.  We have perhaps our biggest opening week, in terms of volume, since we started working on CSA's 12 years ago.  So... Let's get started!

        Every week we'll send an e-mail newsletter with a list of the crops expected in your share.  Please note, though, that this is our best estimate.  We make harvest lists before the weekend, but it's not uncommon for things to change by harvest & delivery days, especially for those who pick up later in the week. If you have any questions about your share, as always please let us know.  Also, if there's something we might have left out that you want more of later, please let us know.   You are also welcome to purchase extra items if you like them.  Just let us know and, if we have more, we'll put together what you want. 

        Here's what you should expect in your share this week:

Individual Share:

Lettuce

Bok Choy

Japanese Turnips

Cilantro

Kale

Spinach

Full Share:

Lettuce

Bok Choy

Japanese Turnips

Cilantro

Kale

Swiss Chard

Spinach

Radishes

Crop Notes:

Japanese Turnips are fantastic raw.  They are solid white, sweet and don't require peeling.  Slice them and enjoy them with dips or by themselves.

Bok Choy is wonderful in stir fries.  Chop it crosswise and add the succulent stem first into any stir-fry, then add the tops at the very last minute.  Bok choy really soaks up the flavors of any sauce... and shouldn't be cooked too long.

Swiss Chard & Kale are 'superfoods' that should be eaten in abundance.  You can prepare them as a cooked (or 'braised') green, or chop them up real fine for use in salads.  Cover them in a sweet dressing to take away some of the bitterness... or become familiar with how wonderful the natural 'bitter' flavors are!  

Radishes may be a tad on the spicy side, but we always try to taste them during harvest to make sure they're not TOO spicy.

Cilantro is a treat!  It's a very aromatic herb that is used to garnish any number of dishes.  Cilantro is frequently associated with bean dishes, but can also be added to anything with tomatoes.... or fish.... or chicken.  It fits really well into any savory dip or sauce.  It's one of those fresh herbs, like basil, parsley, & dill, that takes any dish over the top.  Plus, it's nutritious! 

The key this week?  SALADS!   Eat lots of salads... feature big salads for dinner... and lunch!  This is the time to pump up your nutrition in a big way... cleanse out all those winter carbs and get the body ready for summer.   Spring is all about the greens!

Potluck This Sunday, May 20!

        Join us at the farm this Sunday, May 20, from 5-7 p.m. for our first monthly potluck of the year. 

        The farm potlucks are always fun affairs, with farm tours, visits with fellow members, farmers, and farm apprentices, and lots of wonderful food.  There's a play area, and lots of space, for the kids, and plenty of time to enjoy an evening at the farm for adults.  If you'd like to come on out, simply bring a dish to share... bring your own plates & utensils... and bring chairs if you have them (if not, no worries, there are plenty of places to sit!).  If you need directions, please call... or check www.riverbendroots.com.  We're very easy to find if you haven't been here before.  We look forward to seeing you! 

Recipes for the Week

         Have you looked at our Recipe Page?  We add every recipe from past newsletters, plus other information, so if you ever have a question about how to use the items in your share, look here first, and you'll likely find something to help.   Of course, in the years since we started with CSA's, back before e-mail was common, the availability of recipes on the internet has exploded, on top of all the splendid cookbooks published every year, so there should be no problem finding ways to use the fresh produce!

        Nevertheless, we will always add recipes to the newsletter every week.  To start, here are recipes for Bok Choy & Kale:

Bok Choy with Soy Sauce

from Nicola Graimes, editor, Vegetarian, 2007

1 lb bok choy

2 Tbsp peanut oil (or any oil)

1-2 Tbsp soy (or plum) sauce

1. Trim the bok choy, removing any discolored leaves and damaged stems.  Tear into manageable pieces. 
2. Heat a wok until hot, add the oil and swirl it around.
3. Add the bok choy and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until the greens have wilted a little.
4. Add the soy (or plum) sauce and continue to stir-fry for a few seconds more, until the greens are cooked but still slightly crisp.  Serve immediately.

Fried Kale

Mad Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys, Lucinda Scala Quinn, 2009

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 bunches of kale, average size, ends trimmed, sliced into 1-inch pieces

½ tsp coarse salt

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the olive oil and garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.  Little by little add the kale, increasing the heat to high. The kale will collapse as it hits the heat.  Stir in the salt.  When all the kale is in the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the leaves are tender but still dark green and slightly firm.  Serve hot.

Here are pictures of the farm last week:

We hosted the first ever Kid's Day at the Farm.  Thank you to everyone who came out!   Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.  We read a story, snacked on 'seeds', and sowed the new Children's Garden in the field.   If you'd like to make one of the upcoming Kids Days, we plan to host one every month, on the second Thursdays.  We'll provide lots of notice in upcoming newsletters.

The work week was BUSY.  The week started with soils that were too wet to work, but as soon as things dried out, we hit the hoeing hard... but most importantly, we staked the first tomato rotation, added drip lines & mulch.  By the way, tomatoes are looking fantastic.

It turns out that chickens LOVE mulch... right after we put down the mulch, they proceeded to move it all out of the way!... They love pecking around more than anything...

    And, then it was on to peppers.  Everything is happening FAST this spring.  With all the warmth since March, we've been consistently 1-2 weeks ahead of schedule all season.  Of course... all that can change in an instant, so we'll count our blessings as we get them!

Here's to a great season.... Welcome back to the harvest season.... and enjoy!

Until Next Time,

Kris, Stacey, Jacob & Anna,

and everyone else at Riverbend Roots Farm

• The boxes used to distribute your vegetables are expensive and need to be re-used all season. 

We need your help in making sure they last.

• Please open & breakdown your box only by squeezing, folding, & sliding the tabs out… See below:

(Please do not pull or yank at the tabs, as this will tear the cardboard.  The boxes are designed to open without tearing.)

• Please RETURN your box to your pick-up location so that we can pick it up.  Also, please store them out of the sun, rain, or heat.

• Please note also that since all produce boxes are wax-coated, they cannot be recycled like other cardboard.  (This is another reason we hope to re-use them as much as possible!)

We appreciate your help in re-using these boxes so that resources are used wisely & costs are kept at a minimum for all of us….

Thanks!!

For more information or any questions, contact Kris & Stacey at 618-444-0567.

            Welcome to the 2012 harvest season!  It's time to begin picking up your long-awaited CSA share, so below you will find important instructions on how to pick up your share.  We hope your experience is wonderful this year!

How To Pick Up Your Share

        Picking up your share is easy. 

        First, locate & park at your drop spot either on the street, in the driveway or in the nearby parking lot.   Please remember that your drop spot may be a private home or a public place, so please respect the privacy of your host. (If there are any problems with your share, please call us at 618-444-0567... please don't ask your drop spot host.  We should be able to help you.)

        Second, find your name and share size on the sign-out sheet clipboard.  Sign your initials in the box corresponding to your name and the date of pick-up.  (Initialing the sign-out sheet is very helpful in the event someone accidentally takes the wrong box).  

         Third, choose the correct size box for your share size: 

• Individual Shares are in the “½ bushel” box

• Full Shares come in boxes with labels that include “36 count” & “Cucumbers”. 

   It is VERY IMPORTANT that you take the correct size box.

If someone else picks up for you, PLEASE make sure they know the correct size box to pick-up.

        We rely on the honor system at our CSA distribution points because we are too busy with fieldwork to label every box.  Make sure to take the correct size box so that all your fellow farm members get the box that they invested in.

        Fourth, please open & break-down your box correctly (see instructions below), take care of your box during the week and return your box when you pick-up the following week.   It is very important that we RE-USE the boxes all season.  See below:

Boxes Need To Be Taken Care of and Returned

      Please see our Box Care instructions...

            The boxes we use to pack your share are expensive and need to be re-used for the entire season.  Please help us keep costs down (and use resources wisely) by taking care of the boxes and returning them to your drop spot the next time you pick-up.  Please note that our boxes are wax-coated and cannot be recycled.  They must be used over & over.

            The boxes are designed to be broken down without tearing.  Simply squeeze, fold, & slide the tabs from both the top and bottom.  The boxes shouldn’t tear.  Also, please store them out of the sun, heat, and rain, since the wax coating will melt.   And, remember to bring them back when you pick-up the next week.  If you forget at any time, it’s not a big deal… just bring it back the following week. 

            If there’s ever a problem with your share, please get in touch with us at 618-444-0567 or membership@riverbendroots.com.

Additional notes:

• The harvest season is long.  We love sharing the full bounty of the harvest each week, but please remember that the nature & size of the weekly harvest is highly dependent on the weather, and that there are often ups & downs in the size of harvests throughout the season.  This is normal.  We track the value of the share, however, and always make adjustments to our crop plans when, and if, crops are lost at any time. 
  
• The first shares are heavy on greens.  If you’re looking for tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, or carrots, these crops come in the summer.  Early on, we have lots of cool-weather greens.
• The Full Shares are our basic share, and the Individual Share is either half the quantity, size, or value of the Full Share….  occasionally the two share sizes might be similar because of the nature of the harvests that particular week.
  
• If you're out of town any week, please feel free ask anyone else to pick-up for you.  Make sure they know which size box to pick-up, though.
  
• If you forget a pick-up, it's possible your share will still be available the following morning.  It's important to make every effort to pick-up your share during regular hours, but if you forget and still want to pick up, please give us a call!
• At most drop spots we are providing a Sharing Box.  Although we encourage you to try every vegetable in your share, if there are any vegetables you do not plan to use, you can leave them for other members to use.  Likewise, if you see any vegetables left in the Sharing Box, feel free to add them to your share!
• The Current Members page at www.riverbendroots.com contains a lot of the important information regarding your membership.  Please check it often for recipes, schedule of events, drop spot locations & instructions,  and other important information throughout the year.
  

If there anything you feel we've left out, PLEASE don't hesitate to let us know!  You can e-mail us at membership@riverbendroots.com, or call at 618-444-0567.   Thank you, and here's to a wonderful season! 

Your Farmers,

Kris & Stacey

Back to Member Page

From Homer Adams Pkwy. (Rt. 3) in Alton, turn north onto Seminary St.  Stay on Seminary for about 2.5 miles.  You'll pass under I-255.  The farm is located on your right just after you pass Bockstruck Rd.  Pull in the driveway and park to either side.  The Share Room is inside the Big Red Barn under the Welcome Sign. 

Our Creve Coeur pick-up location is at 1430 Jaywood Dr. in Creve Coeur.  From I-270, take Olive Blvd. west, then turn right (north) on Ross Ave.  Turn right onto Larkwood Dr., then left onto Jaywood Dr., which curves back to Larkwood.  Your drop spot is a private residence and the boxes will be located on the front porch.  Please park on the street and walk up the very short driveway to pick-up your share!

         Our Webster Groves pick-up location is at 505 Selma Ave, the southwest corner of Selma and South Forest (1 block west of Blackburn Park, 1 block east of the rec center/Hixson Middle School, 1 block south of route 44 and a few blocks north of Glendale). Your share will be located inside the garage at the back of the house.  The driveway is on South Forest and you may enter to pick-up your share through the door on the side of the garage.

If you are familiar with Big Bend Blvd in Webster Groves near Webster University the easiest way is to find the traffic light at Big Bend and Edgar, in the middle of the Webster campus. Go south on Edgar from Big Bend, the only way you can go. You will cross over route 44, and arrive at a stop sign at Jackson, at the corner of Blackburn Park. Go right on Jackson to the end, then left on Selma. We are on the far right corner at the first cross street (Forest Ave), a white house with blue shutters. Make the right on South Forest and turn left into the first driveway

If you are less familiar with this neighborhood, or if you will be coming in by route 44, follow 44 to the Elm Ave. exit. Go south off the exit ramp (left if you are coming from the city, right if you are coming from Kirkwood or 270), and make a left at the first light, which is Glendale. Follow Glendale for a few blocks to Selma Ave and go left. Do not be fooled by Selma Ave on your right. As you come up Selma you will start to see route 44 ahead of you, at that point you are only a few houses away, make the left on South Forest and enter the first driveway on the left.

*Please note that we are recruiting a new drop spot for Webster Groves!  If you would like to participate as a drop spot host, or if you have any suggestions, let us know!

        Spring is in full swing this year!  Can you believe the weather so far?  A year ago we were dodging snowflakes as late as March 25; this year it's been Welcome to Summer!

        Needless to say, we've taken advantage of the early heat by planting & prepping the fields almost every day.  The greenhouse is more empty at this time of year than it has ever been, and that's a good thing, because we've planted out more than ever by this date.  The fields are quickly filling up with lettuces, spinach, carrots, beets, peas, flowers, cabbages, turnips, broccoli, kohlrabi & greens.  So far, so good...

        Of course, the early season hasn't been without it's challenges.  Already the fields have required irrigation, which seems absurd this early in the season... but when it's 90 degrees and sunny, it doesn't matter that it's April 2!  It's hot!  So, we've already been plenty busy with the watering. 

        Overall, the season has been about one to two weeks ahead of schedule.  Anything can change in the next month, but we try to prepare for everything.  At the very least, we've got a lot of crops in the fields.... And it's already time to sow and grow the first summer crops!  This past week we re-potted our first tomato rotation, and are seeing our first pepper sprouts!

Next up?  The first weeds! 

When is the First Harvest?

        It's been a wonderfully early start to the planting season, but we're still shooting for the original start date, which is the week of May 15.  Anything can happen with the weather between now & then, so we're assuming it will.  We'll give you plenty of notice if distribution needs to start before or after that date.... either way, everyone should receive confirmation e-mails before the end of April on your share size, schedule, pick-up location, etc. 

Do You Want Meat or Eggs?

        We introduced 14 laying hens to the farm last year, and are adding at least 25 more this year, so there will be limited supplies of eggs available from the farm this year!  If you haven't had farm fresh eggs, you are missing something great... Fresh eggs, straight from the farm, are exceptional, with nutrient-rich yolks, and lots of quality & flavor. Please note that eggs will ONLY be available for purchase at the farm this year.  We'll let you know when we're able to deliver eggs to drop spots. 

        We are also hoping to continue coordinating with local meat growers again this year.  What we offer is the ability for you to order & purchase meat from one of the local meat producers we're working with, and then pick up your order at the same time & location where you pick up your weekly share!  Not all of our drop spots are able to participate, so depending on where you pick up, you might need to pick up at a different location that given week, but it's an excellent way to access more local food at the best prices without going out of your way.

If you would like eggs, let us know!  Fill out this form, and you will receive updates when eggs are available.

If you would like to connect with the meat farmers we're working with, fill out this form and you'll be connected directly to them!

If you have any questions, let us know....

What's changing at the farm this year?

       Several of you have asked if anything is changing at the farm this year, so we thought we'd let you all know!

       First, we've made key changes in the hope of increasing crop production regardless of the weather.  We're inviting two more apprentices than in the past and increasing plantings of several of your favorite crops, like tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, onions, spinach & broccoli, not to mention melons, peppers, & sweet potatoes later to come.  The additional apprentices will not only make our training, classes, and field trips more effective in 'producing' new farmers, but should give us a lot more flexibility in meeting the many challenges that come with extreme weather, including the cultivation of more crops. 

        Second, we're planning to attend two additional farmers markets this year so that our St. Louis members can have more access to produce from the farm.  We're signed up to attend the Clayton Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and the Webster Groves Farmers Market on Thursday evenings.  For those of you who live closer to the farm, we're excited to continue attending the Alton Farmers Market on Saturdays, which will moving to a new location at the corner of 9th & Piasa/67. 

(For those of you who have fondly visited the Alton Farmers Market in recent years, the new location promises a lot more space, better parking, and the opportunity to reach more people in Alton by keeping a permanent sign at the location & slowing down traffic at the entrance.   We know that some of you really like the old location, but the new site should be a distinct improvement in the long run, and was supported by all long-time vendors.  It's still on a main road downtown.... and we hope to see you all there this summer!)

        Third, we're continuing to work with local organic meat producers to offer more products to you through your CSA membership.  See the announcement above.  Also, since new farms open up every year, if you come across a new farm that offers products you want, but perhaps do not have the time to drive out to that farm or visit them at a Farmers Market, let us know, and perhaps there will be an opportunity to coordinate with them. 

        Fourth, we're busy looking into ways to improve how we manage and distribute CSA shares, including the possibility of customizing shares down the road, by offering a way for you to select the items you want each week through our website.  We're not ready for that yet, but you may be hearing from us this year if we begin trialing these new CSA methods.

        And, fifth, the family that we lease our main farm site from (4625 Seminary Rd.) has informed us that they are ready to accept offers for the property, so we have begun looking into ways to purchase the farm!  In the coming months, we hope to announce specific plans to raise funds or seek potential buyers who can help secure the land for farming forever.  Farmland this close to the city is increasingly rare, and we're excited to play a part in preserving viable agriculture that is both progressive and traditional in the heart of the metropolitan area, where we can best serve you long into the future, while improving the land for the next generation & beyond!

        Spring is in full swing, and there's so much more to come.   Onions (seen on the left, above) are due for transplant next week, as are potatoes, and the next cabbages... plus basil, more flowers, fennel, and scallions.  Our apprentices officially begin their apprenticeship next week, too! 

        If you have any questions or requests, let us know.  Also, remember that you can find us Facebook, or through www.riverbendroots.com.  Thanks to you all, and take care,

Kris, Stacey, Jacob & Anna

2012 Farm Memberships

Sold Out

      Here is the 2012 SIGN-UP FORM (or here in pdf), but please add your name to our Waiting List for consideration when shares become available.

Any questions?  Call Kris or Stacey at 618-444-0567.

...Or... find more information at our CSA page.

2012 Membership Options:

You can pay membership fees in full to claim your spot at any time, or pay half now & half by March 15. (if you need other payment plans, let us know!) 

• Full Share w/ Pick-Up at the Farm.....................................$525
  

• Full Share Delivered ............................................................$550*

• Individual Share w/ Pick-Up at the Farm...........................$275

• Individual Share Delivered...................................................$300*

*The Delivery options include a one-time $25 delivery fee that covers delivery expenses, such as fuel, truck fees, maintenance, etc.  (On the sign-up form, you'll see this added under the delivery option; please remember to include it in your payment.)

Information about the Share:

The Full Share & Individual Share

        The Full Share is our popular share for 2-4 people, which receives the full variety of vegetables each week, and includes 8-16 items per box.  This is the right share for most members, as it includes all the vegetables we harvest every week.

        The Individual Share (formerly the "Half Share") is for an individual or couple who loves vegetables, but in less quantity than the Full Share.  The Individual Share receives the full variety of vegetables over the course of the season, not necessarily each week, and includes 4-8 items per box.  (The Individual Share is approximately 'half' the full share, but is priced higher than half the Full Share; this reflects the  extra cost of materials & time in putting together the smaller shares, and ensures that we can continue putting together the best share for you!)

What is included in the Full Share?

If you want to know what is included in each weeks Full Share, you can look at our projected harvests for each week (which reflects our planting schedule), or look through the newsletters for each week of the previous two seasons, which can be found through the Newsletter menu on our home page.  (The Individual Share is roughly half this amount, or half the variety, each week.)  

When Does the Season Begin?

The harvest season lasts for 25 weeks, and begins anytime after mid-May through at least the first week of November.  If we get a late start, usually due to weather, then we simply bump the last harvest week back to fit in the 25 weeks.

Why Do We Sell Shares Before the End of the Current Season?

       We begin selling shares in the Fall because this is when we make the bulk of our purchases for the upcoming season.  We purchase seed & tools, row cover, irrigation supplies, pest & disease controls (all organic), & make most of our repairs during the late fall & early winter, so that, come February, when we sow our first seeds, we are fully prepared to do the work of farming. Also, by purchasing these items NOW, we often save a lot on 'early bird' specials and bulk purchases, which allows us to keep our prices stable.

        Another reason we sell shares in the fall is to cement our partnership with you.  By completing our "marketing" and "promotions" early, we can focus fully on serving you and growing food.  By the time we start sowing seeds & transplanting crops, we have very little time for office work, going to the bank, etc.

What Do Your Membership Fees Pay For?

        Your fees pay a share of the farm's annual operating expenses.  In fact, we like to link the actual costs of farming with what you pay for a share of the harvests.  This ensures that we make a modest living, the farm will maintain financial integrity, and that we are forever motivated to be truly sustainable in every way. 

Below is a breakdown of where your fees go:

• Apprenticeship & Salaries...............25%
• Lease/Rent for Land........................16%
• Soil Fertility......................................11%
• Utilities.............................................11%
• Tractor supplies.................................8%
• Market & CSA supplies....................8%
• Seed & Plants....................................9%
• Pest & Disease Mgt...........................4%
• Miscellaneus Expenses......................4%
• Office Supplies..................................2%
• Licenses, Fees...................................2%

Our Plans for 2012 Include: