Ask A Farmer: Philly Summer Produce Guide
Paul Fleming, Dave Fleming Jr. and Rob Arcidiacono
Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Road
Yardley, PA 19067
(215) 968-1670
www.shadybrookfarm.com
Founded by T. Herman Fleming in 1913, Shady Brook Farm is now run by the fourth generation of Flemings. With Paul Fleming as the farmer and Dave Fleming, Jr. as the general manager at Shady Brook, the farm is dedicated to providing fresh produce, deli, dairy and year-round family fun to the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. Rob Arcidiacono manages the Market at DelVal, Shady Brook Farm's market located at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA.
Eating fruit that's in season means that you don't need to have your food shipped to you from other climates. This cuts down on cost and leads to fresher produce. The best way to do this is to actually pick the fruit yourself. Many local farms host pick-your-own events. By going to the farm to get your food this way, you know that the produce will be the absolute freshest it can be. In addition, this is a great learning experience for children, as they'll see how the food they eat is grown.
Freeze Fresh Produce For A Later Date
If the price is reasonable and you have the room to store it, buy extra fruit and vegetables when you're shopping at your local farmers' market. Freeze your additional produce at the peak of the season, and you'll be able to enjoy delicious fruit and vegetables throughout the year. If prepared properly, fruit and vegetables can be safely frozen in the freezer for six months to a year. Frozen fruits and vegetables work well for smoothies, soups, pies, muffins and many other recipes. Keeping with this idea, Shady Brook is expanding its selection of fresh frozen fruit and fresh fruit ice pops.
Childhood obesity and other health issues are big concerns for many families. Bringing children to the farmers' market is a wonderful way to encourage healthy eating habits and discuss the benefits of fresh, local fruits and vegetables. It's also a great way to teach children about the seasons and the different foods that grow during each season. Older children might be interested in sustainable farming practices and GMOs. Pick-your-own events are fun activities for the entire family. You get to buy fresh produce for your home, the children learn about how their food is grown. It's an enjoyable way to spend quality time as a family.
One of the many advantages to visiting local farms is that it's much easier to buy in bulk than at an ordinary grocery store. Often, buying in bulk can save you a significant amount of money - but only if you have a plan on how you will use all of your produce before it goes bad! Plan out meals before buying your produce. It isn't difficult to find a variety of recipes that will allow you to mix up your meals while still using a lot of the same ingredients. Eat soft fruits first, or set aside portions to freeze for a later date. You might also consider purchasing a juicer to create fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies for your family.
Due to Hurricane Sandy, many farms might experience changes in their crop selection this year. For example, many apple orchards sustained great damage. Now, more than ever, is a wonderful time to try fruits and vegetables that you might not be as familiar with. Instead of sticking to your standard fare, try different greens, such as kale and daikon. Broaden your nutritional intake and make meals more exciting by making a point to try something new each time you visit the market this season.
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