I recently started a new job with a schedule that means I rarely see daylight, so this year we are considering delivery service. Enter South Shore Organics. Drawing from local and regional producers, South Shore Organics owners Pam and Mark Denholm offer weekly baskets of produce to suit singles, couples and families, including fruit-only, veggie-only and mixed assortments. Households with strong opinions, allergies or picky eaters are easily accommodated as well, with up to three substitutions allowed per week. Unlike a traditional CSA there is no time commitment, although there are baskets consisting entirely of local produce available from June through November. They deliver on Wednesdays and Thursdays to Braintree, Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Plympton, Plymouth, Quincy, Scituate, and Weymouth. And while I may never see the sun my delivery veggies certainly will, but that’s no problem since South Shore Organics will even put your produce in a cooler if you leave it out for them. Sigh… I wonder if these folks do windows, too?

There are also pick-up CSA options nearby for those of us, or our significant others, who work locally and can easily stop on the way home. New Braintree’s Heavens Harvest is located in western Massachusetts, but offers pick up sites around the south shore, as well as an egg share in addition to fruits and vegetables.

Colchester Neighborhood Farm (photo’s below) is just a few minutes away in Plympton, with pickups from 2 to 6 pm on either Saturday or Tuesday, for those who prefer to spend Saturday mornings asleep or at the beach. Also offering shares in a range of sizes, members can choose seasonal options as well. If you’re not up for the full 20-week share, owners Connie and Ron Maribett offer summer-only and fall-only shares, depending on where you spend the season.

Plympton is also home to Sauchuk Farm (photo’s below) farmed by Scott Sauchuk. The farm’s 18-week CSA shares include plenty of fruits and veggies, along with an array of homemade or locally produced potted herbs, cut flowers, jam, salsa, popcorn, kettle corn, apple cider donuts, and more. For the young at heart, or those with little ones, shares also include tickets to the farm’s corn maze which, together with corn cannons, hayrides, a cow train, and corn pit, is a prime harvest season attraction at Sauchuk Farm. Pickups again include convenient weekday and weekend times, and members can exchange items to suit their preferences via a specially designated swap table.

Between now and next Tuesday we’ll be researching several other options so we can make a final decision after talking to some of the CSA farmers at the Locavores’ meeting – hope you’ll follow along!

-Sara Hellmold

Then something changed. I gave birth to my son. We bought a house. As we were moving in, my mother planted some extra tomato plants in our yard. That was it, I was hooked.  For me, having my own little piece of land made all the difference. I know there are so many of you out there who have only a sunny window, or a deck to plant on, but once the garden bug bites you, it doesn’t matter what your circumstances, you have to find a way.

Lettuce from last summer's garden.

As time went on, I became more and more interested in the local food scene. However, the thing that has always meant the most to me, has been my garden. You can’t get any more local than your own backyard. The wonder of watching tiny seeds transform themselves into such beautiful and delicious plants is breathtaking. I hope you’ll come along with me as we explore gardening in our edible South Shore gardens.

I’ve added a new page that you’ll see under the banner. It has some information on planting and gardening by the month. Feel free to use it as a reference, or tell me that I’m crazy.

Heather Smith can also be found blogging at Heather’s Homemaking.

Although it was a relatively small group in attendance, just around twenty people, you would have been hard-pressed to come up with a more savvy and knowledgeable group than those present. Ed Barrett, Frank Mirarchi, and Steve Welch three of the South Shore’s best and most recognized commercial fishermen from Plymouth and Scituate, were there representing the fishing community. Several Directors from local Sustainable South Shore chapters represented the eventual shareholders of a possible South Shore CSF, and several members of the local press, including me, were there to spread the news. Rounding out the evening’s attendees is CSF “Subject Matter Specialist” Niaz Dorry.

If you have a CSF question, all roads eventually lead to Niaz, who is the Director of North Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA). She and her organization were influential in getting the most-recognized and successful local CSF, Cape Ann Fresh Catch (CAFC) in Gloucester, up and running. To have these men and women in attendance shows a serious commitment to addressing the issues as to whether we on the South Shore and Coast will one day be able to participate in a CSF.

For those just tuning in to the discussion, a CSF is similar to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), in which a farmer sells a share of this season’s harvest in exchange for much-needed up-front capital to run his business. In the case of a CSF, the shareholder receives a share of a fisherman’s catch. The similarities don’t end there: you get what’s in season, whether it’s fruit and vegetables for a CSA or fish and shellfish in a CSF. By directly connecting the food supplier to the consumer and doing away with the middleman, everyone (except the middleman!) wins. The fisherman gets a far better price for his fish, and the consumer gets a fresher piece of fish.

Consider the night of our meeting. Ben Cowie-Haskell, Sustainable South Shore President, had just purchased a cod in the round (whole fish gutted on the boat) earlier that day from a market in Brant Rock. I’m sure he thought he was buying a fish that couldn’t have been any fresher unless he had caught it himself. In fact, since I am from Marshfield as well, I know you could throw a rock from the front door of this fish market and it would land in the ocean right across the way.

Imagine our surprise when the fishermen informed us that cod may very well have been caught right off Georges Bank and been offloaded in Green Harbor, but more than likely it was picked up by a fish distributor, shipped to the fish auction in either Boston or New Bedford, and then bought by the fish market and shipped back down to Marshfield.

To understand the difficulties facing our community when it comes to getting a CSF started is to understand the circuitous route of this cod. For the eager consumer with cash in his wallet and a fillet knife in his knife block, it’s almost inconceivable he cannot go to his local fish pier when the fishermen come in, and for an agreed upon price have his pick of any fish in the boat’s hold. As Ed and Frank confirmed, it is against the law for fishermen to sell directly to consumers at the dock.

There are government regulations in place to record and weigh in a fisherman’s catch to make sure we’re not depleting our natural resources, and there are health regulations in place to ensure one of our most highly perishable foods, seafood, is delivered safely to consumers. Enter the seafood processor, or that pesky middleman, to record the catch and to load all those fish totes onto his refrigerated truck to bring the fish to auction and then to the restaurants and markets and finally to the consumer.

We no longer have fish processing facilities on our South Shore, so in order to have a viable CSF, we would need to address that issue first and foremost. How do we go about bringing back a processing facility on the South Shore? Or, if we were able to work out of coolers and sell fish on a much smaller scale, who would record the information required by the government regulating industries?

Niaz gently reminded everyone in the audience that the fishermen are much like the farmers: they are up at the crack of dawn and they don’t finish their days until evening, and don’t forget, their days are physically demanding and grueling. As much as the fishermen would like to see a CSF formed to supplement or even provide their income, they will not be the ones taking the lead on this endeavor. Furthermore, after years of government regulations that seem to change with each turn of the tide, the fishermen are understandably skeptical and leery of any new idea to “save their industry.”

Niaz brought up that there are grants available that might be able to provide some of the seed money to start up a CSF, but someone needs to write them. Then, someone will need to administer the shares, run the finances, and oversee the business.

The Sustainable representatives at the meeting were vocal about their interest in a CSF, and I have no doubts they can drum up a number of people on the South Shore and Coast who would love to participate in a CSF. There are fish in the sea, fishermen with boats, people who can provide expertise on how to start a CSF, and people with money and a desire to help the local fisherman. Despite the obstacles and moving targets, it seems there has to be a way we can make this work on the South Shore and Coast.

Stay tuned. This discussion, although daunting, is in the preliminary phases. I wish I had a good fish quote to end with, but I’ll have to inspire you with flora rather than fauna: “mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”

Written by Kathleen Fitzpatrick-Wright

And for what?

I tend to think that people who seek local product are generally intentional and actively seek change. I think too that Plymouth’s leadership kicked the beehive a bit too hard this time.

But as we learn, now is the time to organize and capitalize on our renewed motivations to affect change. With so many people making themselves known throughout this whole ordeal, we need to connect and envision what we want in terms of local food security along with the organizational and legal framework that will support that goal. Now is the time to put our heads together and think big picture about what we want Plymouth to be.

I’m thinking, farm-to-school programs, engaging schools to participate in healthy food production, composting of cafeteria waste, larger town-wide systems to better manage and reuse organic waste. I’m imagining community gardens next to basketball courts with summer programs for students. I’ve heard many great ideas from many people out there. If you’ve got an idea, please feel free to connect with me so I can share any upcoming events. I will also be posting to the ESS wall as events get organized.

This is a call to action.

Brahim Dagher
brahim.dagher@gmail.com

February 1, 2012

Board of Selectmen
Town of Plymouth
11 Lincoln Street
Plymouth, MA 02360

To the Board:

So now we know how much money it takes in Plymouth to throw ethics, morality and fairness out the window. It takes $5000, the amount of the bid accepted by the town to run the Plymouth Farmers’ Market, a market created and lovingly nurtured by Barbara Anglin for the last eight years.

To say I am disgusted with this decision cannot begin to express the depth of my feelings. I started attending the Plymouth Farmers’ Market in 2010, first the Winter Market and then the Summer Market at Stephens Field. It was my first experience with farmers’ markets, and I felt welcomed and nurtured from the very first visit. Since I don’t live in Plymouth, and didn’t have many reasons to go there, I was very pleasantly surprised to find the high quality; standards in regard to local, organic and healthy food; and variety that the market offered. All of these things were in complete agreement with my personal philosophies about the kind of food I want to buy for my family. In addition, Barbara Anglin made me feel welcome and special for coming to the market. That’s an intangible that can’t be quantified. I also began to explore other businesses in Plymouth that I would never have known about had it not been for the Farmers’ Market, because the Farmers’ Market gave me a good feeling about shopping in Plymouth.

I didn’t know anything about the magnitude of the problems Barbara was experiencing with Susan Shannon, the owner of the Side Dish Café. I only found out about it at your own Board of Selectmen meetings. So because one woman is disgruntled, you put out a completely flawed and improper RFP (your own Assistant Town Manager, who clearly was out of her depth, admitted this), you make acceptance determined solely on financial criteria, and you award Barbara’s work product to a group fronting for the disgruntled woman. (Apparently Susan Shannon was in Town Hall during the day on the 31st, making sure everything was in order for the evening.) Can you see why this stinks to high heaven?

I don’t know what Barbara Anglin makes running the Farmers’ Market. I don’t really care – in fact, I’m sure it’s not nearly enough to compensate for all the work she does. I doubt if it would be enough to get a person off welfare. I do know that you have now destroyed the work she’s done for the past eight years. I do know that I will NEVER patronize the new farmers’ market, if it even gets up and running. My friends will know why I’m not patronizing it, and it’s not a pretty story.

You, the Board of Selectmen, should be ashamed of yourselves. You have placed money (it’s always about money and politics, isn’t it?) above fairness, ethics and morality. You have sullied the reputation of the Town of Plymouth.

Sincerely yours,
Dorian Greenbaum

Dozens of onlookers sat stunned tonight in the Plymouth Select Board meeting, as the inexorable policy-making machine ground out a particularly fine specimen of farmers’ market sausage. Come to think of it, no one in the crowd looked more stunned than the Board members themselves, who kept up a nice show of support for The Plymouth Farmers’ Market while kicking the legs out from under it (and—finesse!—still claiming ignorance as to how things came to this pass).

The winning bid had been entered by Chris Pratt of Explore Historic Plymouth, whose i-dotting and t-crossing style (and offer of cash) seems to have deeply affected Assistant Town Manager Melissa Arrighi, in a way that eight years of commitment and hard work and some puny contributions to the parks by Barbara Anglin could not. Ms. Arrighi’s enthusiastic recommendation to the Board to accept Ms. Pratt’s bid was unanimously accepted, after a few perfunctory questions, pretty much just like that. The Chair’s coy hints last Tuesday about “finding a moderate path” or “some sort of compromise” had encouraged some of the greener by-standers to expect creativity and leadership; how hard could it be in this big town, with so many hours each week not already occupied with farmers’ markets, to make everybody happy? Apparently, “everybody” doesn’t have a say in this; the RFP just kept on marching along in its raggedy cheap business suit, like a zombie in a bad movie, staggering to its inexorable (there’s that word again) whimper of a conclusion.

In a brief interview after the pitchforks and torches had left the building, Ms. Pratt pledged her commitment to create “a real community market” with the help of neighborhood and business leaders and other Plymoutheans. She acknowledged that there’s a wee bit of a trust gap out there right now, but hopes that everyone will “keep an open mind” about the new Exploring Historic Plymouth Farmers’ Markets.

edible South Shore wishes her and the group she represents well in their efforts—after all, it has been our opinion all along that Plymoutheans deserve more access to fresh local foods. It’s just that we had envisioned a process whereby the Town might spread the model to other locations and time slots and managers, not auction an established business to the highest bidder.

Things didn’t have to end this way; as Walter “Morrie” Morrison pointed out early in the meeting, there are plenty of knowledgeable folks around town—people like him who’ve dealt with local food producers for decades—whose input was never sought for a second. As that nice farmer from Middleboro, Dave Purpura, said last Tuesday, “I just don’t get it”.

Paula Marcoux
edible South Shore

Our waitress was great but did not want to be in our movie.

We requested a flight of local beer

"New Years in Lebanon" starter

Appetizer highlights included pumpkin hummus and spiced lavash chips.

Over 30 beers on tap – they encourage you to ask for samples.

New World Tavern
(located where Guru Indian restaurant used to be)
http://www.facebook.com/TheNewWorldTavern
56 Main st., Plymouth, MA 02360

Regardless of the circumstances leading to the introduction of this document, a more thorough and thoughtfully researched plan would better benefit all interested parties and the community at large.

There is clearly a need for policy to be introduced for the use of town-owned property. However, this should not rest solely as a reaction to a citizens demand to take over the current markets. Allowing interested parties to, in essence, bid on these markets, to garner the benefits of the grass roots people who have invested years of time, talent, network building, sweat equity, and continuing growth and development, is simply a poor business decision.

This RFP is only in place for the established locations at the established times and on the established days of the current Plymouth Farmers’ Market.

I am a great fan of this Farmers’ Market. I was a vendor of prepared foods at the market for four years. Part of my personal mission as a prepared-foods vendor was to educate guests to the uses and benefits of the wide array of locally grown, locally raised, or locally produced foods available from local farmers. I made it my priority to prepare many of my selections using foods purchased from the farmers at the markets that I participated in. I spent a farm season as an intern one or two days each week at one of our local organic farms. I was awarded the “Best of Boston Restaurant – Locavore” distinction in 2008. I have been an active volunteer at the Plymouth Farmer’s Market since I closed my restaurant in October of 2010 and currently earn my living as the chef and general manager in Boston’s South End at a neighborhood market although I do not have the time to prepare foods for the Farmers’ Market with the current demands of my career, under this RFP I would be prohibited from participating.

The Plymouth Farmers’ Market is an inclusive family event. Local farmers bring out their best for the community. Farmers get to know their guests and their guests’ tastes personally. Guests at the market get to know farmers and food producers. There is a plethora of information exchanged, such as how to prepare particular foods, what else at the market might they go well with, how many pounds would be appropriate for the size of a family, the culinary history of heirloom plants, and the geographic history of our indigenous plants. This is exciting stuff for folks who make a conscientious choice to buy local and know their farmers. Additionally the market provides a simple and healthy social gathering place. Many people visit just to visit, but they are unlikely to leave without some treasure that does not grow well in their soil type or that might fit in their refrigerator, such as fresh eggs or delicate, ripe raspberries that have just been picked.

Rain or shine the farmers and vendors are there. By now most farmers have already ordered or saved their seeds for the coming season. Most farmers will have already planned their crop rotations to maintain healthy soil. The garlic was planted in the fall for a spring harvest. Seedlings for onions will be planted in greenhouses within weeks. Many surrounding cities and towns court the farmers of the Plymouth Farmers’ Market. Their future is yet unsure of this market. The farmer’s deserve to have some security in their Home-Market place. They could in most cases go elsewhere and earn higher sales for their labor and passion. However many are committed to this particular market, their years of building clientele close to home. Without knowing they are secure with the experienced Market Master, some farmers may be forced to move to other markets that are eagerly awaiting their experienced presence.

This would be a great loss to our community. Relationships have been nourished for years. Trust has been built between parties. Families have become friends, and friends have become a market community.

Could this RFP possibly be labeled fair or reasonable? Has the market community been reduced to the banality of the bidder with the most disposable income? Is the town truly interested in using this fine market place simply for fiscal gain?

Please consider voicing support for this unique opportunity by rescinding the RFP, making a commitment to research and developing more comprehensive initiatives for 2013, and grant a special permit to the current Plymouth Farmer’s Market for the 2012 season.

Barbara has fostered a true market community. It is a product of the many components that come together in building a sustainable market and food community. I believe that the attention raised and the awareness brought to the market mission and the farmers in particular has been a gift to our local community. This situation presents all of us with an opportunity to grow and nourish our commitments to support the web of life that ultimately serves all of us as we serve each other.

With much gratitude,
Martha M. Stone

We remain hopeful that the Selectmen and Procurement folks follow their gut and not the money. We will find out on Tuesday night. Stay tuned, or come down to the meeting at 7pm on Tue Jan 31st.

How to increase access to healthy local food through farmers’ markets? This is the way the Massachusetts Community Transformation Grant Project Narrative goes on to describe the implementation mechanism: by ”working with their local Mass in Motion coalition to – 1) identify needed community resources, 2) develop and implement a bi-directional communication plan that actively links patients (consumers), primary care providers (food-producers) and participating community organizations, and 3) change policies, systems and the environment in the community to better support healthy eating and active living.”

More ironic than the timing of the grant announcement would be the too-late arrival on the scene of a body whose purpose is to develop just the kind of comprehensive, well-thought-out policy framework for healthy eating that must include Plymouth’s gem of a farmers’ market as a sustainable, growing part of that vision. We encourage Plymouth’s leaders to approach the current dilemma from the broadest possible perspective, with the aim of expanding the opportunities for both shoppers and vendors, rather than contracting the vision to the pinched scope of the current RFP. The question is not ”what can happen at Stephens’ Field on Thursday afternoon?” but, “how do we make sure the people of Plymouth get all the access to fresh local foods that they clearly want and deserve?” As was observed by wise persons at Tuesday’s meeting, Plymouth is a big town, and there are seven days in a week.

Paula Marcoux
edible South Shore
Plymouth

*http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/eohhs/healthcare-reform/grants/sec-4002-4201-core-community-transformation.pdf  (Accessed 24Jan2012. Emphasis added)

Vegetable garden with 3 feet of snow

How do you keep organically gardening through the winter? SEED CATALOGS! I’m like a guy waiting for the sports page! I get a little giddy going to the mailbox hoping there is a seed catalog peering back at me.
But, what about organic seeds? Are they worth the extra cost? You may think it doesn’t matter where you buy your seeds, as long as you care for your garden organically. But, in fact, seed is as vital of a component to an organic garden as is the way plants are raised! So, let’s start the 2012 garden off on the right foot and learn why buying organic seed is important!
Definition: Organic seeds are created organically, meaning natural processes create the seeds without using any chemicals anywhere during production. They are grown and handled by certified organic farmers, and by law, organic seeds cannot be genetically engineered.
Good for the Environment: In conventional seed production, pesticides, and fungicides are applied at higher levels then allowed when growing food. In addition the organic seeds have not been pre-treated with fungicides intended to prevent mold or other fungi from growing on the seeds. Think about all the pollution you are keeping from entering soils and water systems when you choose organic seed.
Good for the Smaller Businesses: When you purchase conventional seed you are most likely supporting a mega corporation that profit from genetically engineered crops. There have been many consolidations of seed-companies and as a result it’s difficult to determine if Monsanto or Syngenta (or other huge corporation) somehow owns the company. By buying organic seeds, chances are much greater that you are supporting a local, regional seed system.
Good for Taste: Organic seeds for tastier veggies! Chemicals can interfere with the natural balance of the foods and wreck their taste. Yum – I love the taste of taste!
Good for Plants: Seeds produced organically will yield plants that are more adapted to, and more likely to thrive under, organic growing conditions. And for a bigger bonus, if you select a company in your region, they will know what grows and does well in your region. Meaning your seeds are practically guaranteed to work well in your zone.

Where to begin your 2012 garden? Check out the following links and start daydreaming of your  completely organic 2012 garden today.
Siskiyou Seeds
Uprising Seeds
High Mowing Seeds
Seeds of Change
Seed Savers Exchange
Johnny’s
Turtle Tree Seed
FEDCO

You can also experiment with saving your seeds (might be a good idea to look for open-pollinated veggies). We always save our pumpkin seeds and grew a 3.5 pound pumpkin this past summer.

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