In This Week's CSA Share:

• Last of the broccoli until Fall!
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Parsley
• Head Lettuce - we're into "Summer Crisp" season now: leaf lettuce meets iceberg = crisp, succulent & sweet!
• Red Long of Tropea Torpedo Onions - a specialty onion from Italy 
• French Fingerlings - "new" (meaning the skins haven't cured yet) and tender so keep 'em refrigerated in a plastic bag for best storage 
• Zucchini
• Fennel

Recipe of the Week: Buttered New Potatos with Fennel

From the NY Times Cooking, yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 fennel bulb, about ½ pound
• 8 red waxy new potatoes, about 1 pound
• 1½ cups water
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill or fennel fronds

PREPARATION

• Step 1: Trim the stem and stalk ends of the fennel bulb and cut into ½-inch dice. There should be about 2 cups.
• Step 2: Trim the ends of the potatoes. Cut them into quarters (or leave small potatoes whole) and drop the pieces into cold water. Drain.
• Step 3: Combine the fennel and potatoes in a wide skillet and add the water, salt and butter. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, about 15 minutes or until the water has evaporated and the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with dill or chopped fennel fronds and serve.

Bulk Basil Available by Special Order!

Calling all pesto-lovers, the moment is now to place your order for bulk basil! CSA members can log in to our CSA "store," place an order and have your basil delivered to your pickup site in the coming weeks. Orders will be filled on a rolling basis. Order your bulk basil HERE!

August is Teacher Appreciation Month at Valley Flora!

What do all these farm kids have in common? (Other than loving to raid the strawberry patch and dunk at the swimming hole every day?)

They all go to public school. 

Here in this rural pocket of Oregon we are incredibly lucky to have so many talented, dedicated teachers in our schools. But did you know that teachers in the Port Orford/Langlois and Bandon school districts are paid less than all the neighboring districts in Coos and Curry County? At the same time, they face the highest cost of living on the entire Southcoast.

It’s been a challenging time for teachers, particularly in Bandon, and we want to say a big THANK YOU for their service and dedication. In that spirit, we’re making August our Teacher Appreciation Month at Valley Flora. 

If you’re a teacher at 2CJ or Bandon, come on out to the farm for a free bucket of u-pick strawberries and a free bouquet of u-pick flowers on any Wednesday or Saturday in August. Just show your school ID to our staff at the u-pick/farmstand checkout.

You are the heart of our schools, and you make a huge and lasting difference in our kids’ lives. Thank you teachers!