Welcome to Week 11 of the CSA season!
From the Field: Busy Bees & Pollinators
As the fields shift from the height of summer into the first signs of fall, the pollinators are still hard at work. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects continue to flit between blossoms, gathering nectar and pollen from blooms like goldenrod, sunflowers, and late-blooming squash. Monarch butterflies are drifting through as they fuel up on nectar for their long migration south, while other pollinators—like hoverflies and wasps—are quietly doing their part as well. Each plays a role in keeping the farm’s ecosystem healthy and productive.
Pollinators are especially important this time of year for crops like pumpkins and winter squash. A single pumpkin blossom might need multiple bee visits to be fully pollinated, ensuring the fruit develops properly. While the bulk of our summer harvests have already set, these last rounds of pollination help finish out the season and give us the sturdy fall crops that fill CSA boxes in late September and October.
Watching the pollinators wrap up their season is also a sign of transition. Soon, the flowers they depend on will fade, and the bees will retreat to their hives to conserve energy during the colder months. But for now, they’re still weaving through the rows, a living link in the chain that connects blossoms to the produce filling your CSA box each week. It’s a reminder of how much of our harvest depends on the tireless efforts of these small but powerful partners.
What’s in the box?
This week’s box is packed with color and flavor, perfect for enjoying the last stretch of summer. You’ll find eggplant, a versatile vegetable that shines whether it’s grilled, roasted, or baked into a hearty dish. Alongside it is celery, crisp and refreshing for snacking, soups, or adding crunch to salads.
We’ve included plenty of peppers this week—green bell peppers for classic cooking, colored bell peppers for sweetness and vibrancy, and mini sweet peppers that make for an easy snack or quick sauté. Plus, there are a few jalapeños for those who enjoy a little spice.
To round things out, there are green beans, tender and delicious in almost any preparation. And of course, no late-summer box would be complete without sweet corn, still coming strong from the fields and just as tasty on the cob as it is frozen for later. Together, these vegetables bring a nice balance of freshness, heat, and sweetness that can be mixed and matched in countless meals.
0 Comments