Bucks County Taste » organic

Tidbit: Organic plantings from the Turnip Truck

Lynne Goldman — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:00:33 +0000

For all you avid gardeners who are thrilled to be kneeling in the dirt finally (something I’ll never relate to), make sure you check out The Turnip Truck’s Organic Heirloom Plant Sale this month.

The Turnip Truck is an organic kitchen garden company. What does that mean? Well, they help people grow their own organic food at home. They grow a lot of unusual and heirloom varieties, all trialed extensively, right in upper Bucks County (or Zone 6B for you garden-geeks). And, they are holding a big plant sale for the next three weekends at The Raven’s Nest on Old Bethlehem Road in Haycock(Quakertown 18951). The sale takes place on Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm, and on Sunday from 10 am – 1 pm. They’ll be there for the next three weekends or until they sell out. You can see the list of varieties on their Facebook page, or at their Web site.

Tidbit: The facts about food and farming

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:38:43 +0000

I really liked this intelligent and thoughtful piece by Russ Parsons in the LA Times today on the continuing public discussion of where our food comes from, who produces it and how both “sides” can succeed. Here are a few excerpts. For the full article, click here.

One of the more pleasing developments of the last decade has been the long-overdue beginning of a national conversation about food — not just the arcane techniques used to prepare it and the luxurious restaurants in which it is served, but, much more important, how it is grown and produced.

The only problem is that so far it hasn’t been much of a conversation. Instead, what we have are two armed camps deeply suspicious of one another shouting past each other (sound familiar?).

On the one side, the hard-line aggies seem convinced that a bunch of know-nothing urbanites want to send them back to Stone Age farming techniques. On the other side, there’s a tendency by agricultural reformers to lump together all farms (or at least those that aren’t purely organic, hemp-clad mom-and-pop operations) as thoughtless ravagers of the environment.

Well, at least we’re thinking about it, so I suppose that’s a start. But the issues we’re facing are not going to go away, and they are too important to be left to the ideologues. What I’d like to see happen in the next decade is a more constructive give-and-take, the start of a true conversation.

With that goal in mind, I’d like to propose a few ground rules that might help move us into the next phase — fundamental principles that both sides should be able to agree on.

* Agriculture is a business. Farming without a financial motive is gardening. I use that line a lot when I’m giving talks, and it always gets a laugh. But it’s deadly serious. Not only do farmers have expenses to meet just like any other business, but they also need to be rewarded when they do good work. Any plan that places further demands on farmers without an offsetting profit incentive is doomed to fail.

* Food is not just a culinary abstraction. No matter how much you and I might appreciate the amazing bounty produced by talented, quality-driven farmers, we also have to acknowledge that sometimes food is . . . well, just food. So when we start dreaming about how to make our epicurean utopia, we also have to keep in mind that our first obligation is to make sure that healthful, fresh food remains plentiful and inexpensive enough that anyone can afford it.

* There’s no free pass on progress. Just because you’ve always farmed a certain way does not mean that you are owed the right to continue farming that way in the future. The days of a small or medium-sized farm making a decent profit growing one or two crops and marketing it through the traditional commodity route are long past. The world is changing, and those who can adapt are the ones who will be successful.

* The world is not black and white. The issues facing agriculture today are much more complicated than lining up behind labels such as “local” and “organic,” no matter how praiseworthy they might seem in the abstract.

* Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Holding out for an unattainable dream may mean losing a chance at a more easily realized goal. At the same time, just because an idea may not be the perfect answer, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t benefits to it. A completely locavore diet is, well, loco, but buying as much locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as you can is just common sense.

* Quality is more expensive than quantity. Farming fruits and vegetables that are not just healthful but also have great flavor takes a lot of time and work and usually means not growing as much as a neighbor who doesn’t focus on flavor. So when you’re shopping, don’t begrudge a good farmer a little higher price — that’s what it takes to keep him in business.

* What’s political is also personal. If you believe in something, you should be willing to make sacrifices to support it, even if it’s expensive or inconvenient. Wailing about farmers who use pesticides and then balking at paying extra for organic produce is hypocritical because the yields in organic farming are almost always lower. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with doing the best you can whenever you can — as long as you’re willing to accept compromises from the other guy too.

* Finally, and most important: Beware the law of unintended consequences. Developing tasteless fruits and vegetables was not the goal of the last Green Revolution; it was a side effect of a system designed to eliminate hunger by providing plentiful, inexpensive food, but that also ended up rewarding quantity over quality. We should always keep in mind that when we’re dreaming of a system that focuses on the reverse, we run the risk of creating something far worse than strawberries that bounce.

Welcome Linden Hill Farmers' Market

Fresh from the market: July 24th

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:40:12 +0000

I started this feature last week, and will list for you throughout the local growing season the kinds of vegetables and fruits available at many local farmers’ markets.

Here’s this week’s freshly picked vegetables: Asian turnips, basil, beets, cabbage, chard, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, fresh garlic, green beans, green peppers, herbs, hot peppers, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, radishes, scallions, summer squash, tomatoes, zucchini.

Freshly picked fruit: blueberries, raspberries, peaches and possibly blackberries and nectarines.

Thanks to Robin Hoy of the Wrightstown Market for her help on this list.

Food, Inc. Documentary at the County

Lynne Goldman — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:30:15 +0000

For an enlightening and provocative inside look at how our food is being produced in the U.S. food industry and who’s “in the kitchen,” the new documentary Food, Inc. is showing at the County Theater, 20 E. State St. in Doylestown through this weekend.

The film opened in New York last month and is beginning to make its way around the country. It is directed by Robert Kenner and co-produced by Eric Schlosser (author of Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food). Robert Kenner is a 1968 grad of Solebury School, so we’ve got some real local ties to the film’s fame!

Showtimes are:
Thursday 4:00 and 9:35 pm
Friday 6:25 pm
Saturday and Sunday 1:15 and 6:25 pm

It’s rated PG and is 1 hour and 34 min. It’s a MUST SEE for everyone who cares about our food, our health, our economy, our environment and human and animal rights.

Thanks to Robin Hoy, manager of the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, for this information. (Sorry I was late putting this up; the movie has been showing all week.)

Fresh from the market this week…

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:59:31 +0000

I’m starting a new feature for the growing season. “Fresh from the market this week…” will alert you to the kinds of vegetables and fruits you can expect to find at area farmers’ markets. Hopefully it will help you plan the week and maybe even try some new things.

Here’s this week’s freshly picked vegetables, available at many local markets: Asian turnips, basil, beets, cabbage, chard, collard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, fresh garlic, green beans, green peppers, herbs, hot peppers, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, radishes, scallions, summer squash, and zucchini.

Freshly picked fruit: blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, peaches and apricots.

Thanks to Robin Hoy of the Wrightstown Market for her help on this list.

Let’s go for ice cream

Lynne Goldman — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:31:25 +0000

Everyone has their favorite ice cream place. Usually it’s local, and maybe because it’s associated with sweetness and warm summer evenings, people tend to be fiercely loyal.

That’s why we are not going to rate ice cream purveyors in Bucks County (ha!), or even attempt to be comprehensive in our list. But for those of you interested in wandering the county, comparing vanillas, chocolates and peanut butter-chocolate-graham-whatever swirls, here’s a short list, starting in Upper Bucks and moving south. We did, however, skip franchise places, like Rita’s and Dairy Queen, as good as they might sometimes be.

Thanks to our guest blogger, Rich Baringer, for his research in Upper Bucks, and to various other friends who have recommended their favorite places.

We hope to update this list as we get a chance to visit them, and add more information, so please let us know your favorite place, and why you love it. Send us an email, or drop a comment below.

Rosemarie’s Italian Ice (Quakertown), 304 W. Broad Street, 215.536-3220 “A million flavors” of ice cream, plus water ice and gelato.

Grida’s (Richlandtown), 36 N. Main St, 215.536-2691 Good old-fashioned walk-up food stand. Great place to hang with friends or pick up to take home. Locally owned for over forty years, with a big menu in addition to ice cream. Soft-serve dipped in chocolate is a favorite.

Sundae School (Hilltown), 401 W. Schoolhouse Rd., 215.723-4123‎Housed in the old Pennville Schoolhouse – they even have the names and pictures of those who attended school there. Lots of Hershey’s ice cream flavors as well as smoothies, sundaes, Italian ice, candy, ice cream cakes, and chocolate covered bananas. Very friendly staff with an old-fashioned feel inside and outside seating for hanging out. See our Tidbits post on the Sundae School here.

Owow Cow Creamery (Ottsville), at the intersection of Routes 563 & 412, near Rt. 611, 610.847.7070 All natural, organic, small batch, handcrafted ice cream, “Italian” style (think rich and dense) made on-site sourcing ingredients from local farms. Outside seating. Just imagine – you can eat healthy, great ice cream and support local farmers. (see below for their Wrightstown location, opened July 2011)

Chubby’s Dairy Barn (Plumsteadville), right behind the Plumsteadville Inn, near the intersection of Route 611 and Stump Road, 215.766.7554 Very family- and community-oriented (hosting Cruise nights, local kids sports teams, movie viewings, ice cream cookie nights), serving Nelson’s ice cream (from Royersford). Extremely friendly staff – even have treats for dogs who visit. Take home some of their new Chubby’s Reserve ice cream too, including flavors like Dulce de Leche, Pistachio and the Minister of Defense (white chocolate ice cream, white chocolate chips and white chocolate crunch – named after Reggie White!)

Del Val Creamery @ The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College (Doylestown), 2100 Lower State Road Locally made by Uncle Dave’s ice cream in Yardley (who also sells at Shady Brook Farm Market). Made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms and using Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever possible. See our story on the Del Val Market.

Pigadilly’s (Lahaska) Peddler’s Village, Shop #53, 215.794.2122Sixteen hard and nine soft-serve flavors, gelato, baked goods and other light food. Great Peanut Butter Swirl.

Dilly’s Corner (Center Bridge), on River Road (Route 32), north of New Hope, right at the Center Bridge-Stockton bridge, 215.862.5333 Another local favorite that has been there for years. Ice cream, milkshakes and a grill menu. See our review.

Birchwood Farms (Upper Makefield/ Newtown), 428 Brownsburg Road, 215.598.8633 Super premium organic ice cream available in fourteen “Patriotic Flavors” made from 100% whole, nutritious, organic raw Jersey milk, sold in quarts from their store.

oWowCow Creamery (Wrightstown) in Carousel Village, 591 Durham Rd. (Route 413), 215.598.3248. All natural, organic, small batch, handcrafted ice cream, “Italian” style (think rich and dense) made on-site sourcing ingredients from local farms. (Also in Ottsville; see above)

Sweet Pea Creams & Confections (Newtown), 254 N. Sycamore St. (Goodnoe’s Corner), 215.968.0466 Own-make ice cream in 22 flavors, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes and pies, and homemade candies.

Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar (Newtown) 4 South Sycamore Street, 215.968.3544. The tradition continues. Goodnoe’s was the place to go for ice cream for 40 years, back when Newtown was surrounded by farms. Now the next generation is making ice cream again, using the family recipes. The recently opened store sells their homemade hand-dipped ice cream in 12 flavors, offers 15 kinds of sundaes, and milkshakes.

Tanner Brothers Dairy (Ivyland/Richboro), 1070 Hatboro Road, 215-357-1716 Tanner’s had been in business for over 100 years as a working dairy farm so you know the ice cream is fresh. Their produce selection and prices are great too, year-round.

Uncle Dave’s (Yardley) at Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, 215-968-1670 Locally made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms and using Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever possible.

Yardley Ice House (Yardley boro), 77 S. Main St., 215.321.9788 Family-owned and run. Gourmet Italian Water Ice (in 22 flavors), gelati, soft serve custard, milk shakes and malts, ice cream sundaes, blend-ins and ice cream floats.

Zebra Striped Whale (Newtown), 12 S. State St., 215.860.4122 This local favorite on State Street in Newtown Boro opened in December 2004. It is family-owned and operated, dedicated to providing customers with premium quality ice cream, coffee, and desserts.

Dairy Delite (Levittown), 972 Woodbourne Rd, 215.547.1636‎ This hugely popular ice cream place has several locations in Lower Bucks. From what we’ve heard, portions are big and the lines are long. Thanks to Donnie at The Pineville for this tip. Gotta check it out.

And on the other side of the river…

It’s Nutts (Titusville), 1381 River Road, 609.737.0505 Convenient for Bucks County folks in Upper Makefield and Washington Crossing area. Good ice cream, interesting flavors, outside seating right off of River Road/Route 29.

Updated on May 26, 2010; July 15, 2011

Please let us know of any other ice cream places you feel MUST be included!

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

Slow Food Dinner at Linden Hill Gardens

Mark Feffer — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:51 +0000

Driving to Linden Hill Gardens for the Bucks County Slow Food Farm to Table Dinner the evening of June 26th, Lynne and I got caught in one of this summer’s downpours. As the black sky flashed blue bolts of lightning and gray rain blew sharply across the road, we imagined ourselves huddling beneath a tent with a bunch of good natured souls trying to make the best of a wet situation.

We needn’t have worried. Kimberly Kaufmann, of Slow Food Bucks County, and Kristen Perry, of the Kitchen Potager at Linden Hill Gardens, had set the dinner up in the lovely stone barn of the Gardens’ owner, Jerry Fritz. As we ran from car to barn, Jerry himself pulled open the door to welcome us inside.

About forty people attended the dinner, and since we all had a common interest – good food – introducing ourselves and chatting wasn’t much of a chore. But we were a bit distracted, not by the rain, but by Pit Master Hugh Mangum’s pulled pork, marinated chicken and dipping sauce cooking in the wood smoker outside. Let’s let chef Ron Spada speak for himself:

With the main course came home-made Buckwampum Egg Noodles, Swallow Hill Farm Kale Casserole and Milk House Farm Market Beet Salad, by Linda Jacobs of Soup to Nuts Caterers in Washington Crossing, Rise Bakery Artisanal Baked Bread, and ice cream from oWowCow Creamery in Ottsville and fruit pies by Tabora Farm & Orchard in Chalfont.

Kimberly and Kristen are hoping to stage another farm to table dinner later this summer. We’ll pass on the details as soon as we get them. We’ll see you there.

Meet the Wrightstown Farmers' Market

Mark Feffer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:30:02 +0000

We brought our Flip to the Wrightstown Farmer’s Market on its opening a day a couple of weeks ago, because we figured the best way to get a feel for the market was to hear from the vendors themselves. So, without further ado…

Vendors you’ll see on the video and what they offer…

The Happy Farm: raised-on-pasture poultry, lamb and eggs

Tall Pines Farm: naturally-raised vegetables, fruits and plants

Flint Hill Farm: naturally-raised chevre cheese (goat and cow), butter

The Coffee Scoop: organic, fair-trade locally-roasted coffee beans

Milk House Farm Market: vegetables, eggs, honey

Naturally @ Holben Valley Farm: pasture-raised, grass-fed beef

Amberland Farm: chemical-free vegetables, flowers and perennials

Great Harvest Bread Company: bread and baked goods

Purely Farm: organically pastured pork, lamb and chicken

Wrightstown Farmer's Market This Saturday, April 11th

Welcome Linden Hill Farmers' Market

Lynne Goldman — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:34:17 +0000

Bucks County is getting a new farmers’ market this weekend! Join in the grand opening festivities of the birth of the Linden Hill Farmers’ Market on Friday, May 29th from 3:30 – 7:30 pm. The market takes place on the grounds of Linden Hill Gardens by the old barn and is sponsored by Kimberton Whole Foods. Markets will take place weekly until October 30th and will also include community events and live music.

This week the market will highlight the vendors and feature live music from “WHEELS“, a local band performing blues, country, & classic rock covers as well as grass-roots original music. Jerry Fritz will host garden walks of Linden Hill Gardens at 6:00 pm. Updates may be found at the following websites and the participating vendors are listed below.
www.lindenhillgardens.com www.thekitchenpotager.com www.kimbertonwholefoods.com

Current list of participating vendors: (* indicates partial season)
Backyard Bison: Bison Meat, Fiber & Hides
Barefoot Gardens: Seasonal vegetables, medicinal herbs and flowers
Berger Farm & Buckwampum Homestead: Eggs & Seasonal Vegetables
Brad’s Veggies & Raw Chips: Vegetables & Raw Chips
Brig O’Doon Coffee House: Whole bean coffee, fresh baked goods & raw milk fruit smoothies
*Bucks County Preserves: Unique flavored jams and jellies
*Blackstone Studio: Folk Crafts
Chestnut Hill Farm Gourmet Foods: Gourmet Jams and Jellies, baked goods including gluten free products
*Cote & Co.: Prepared foods, local ingredients
*Cuper Studios LLC, Nanc Conner & River Otter Pottery: Hand-thrown pottery, produce paintings, hand-made jewelry
The Kitchen Potager: Culinary Plants & Herb Arrangements
Linden Hill Gardens: Garden Gifts & Plants
Marie’s Soap Company: Handmade soap & skin products
Milk House Farm Market: Eggs, Honey, and Seasonal Vegetables
*Myofasial Release: Massage Therapy
Nita Baker: Seasonal stromboli and baked goods
Owow Cow Creamery: Artisanal Small batched Ice Cream
*Natalie Searl Photography: Vegetable & Poultry Photography
*Peace Valley Lavender Farm: Lavender Products
Purely Farm Pastured Meats: Pastured pork & chicken, brown eggs, sheepskins
Rise Bread: Artisanal Baked Bread
Rocky Top Farm: Wool yarn, hides, finished knit items
Tabora Farm & Orchard: Bakery goods & seasonal fruit
WoodsEdge Wools Farm, LLC: Alpaca & Llama products and honey products

Community events scheduled for June:
June 5th - Lawn Game Day – you do not need to wear whites, but be prepared for croquet, bocce and badminton to kick off strawberry season!
June 12th - Community Strawberry Recipe Competition – sign up to compete for the strawberry crown
June 19th - Egg Races (BYOS – bring your own spoon)
June 26th - Slow Food Post Market Picnic at 7:00 pm. ($35 per person, $15 for children under 10, reservations required: kp@thekitchenpotager.com)

Linden Hill Farmers’ Market
Fridays, 3:30 – 7:30 pm
8230 Easton Road (Route 611)
Ottsville, PA 18942

More Than A Farm Market

Lynne Goldman — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:50:47 +0000

Here’s a test. Where can you find all these items?

• All natural bakery items (no preservatives or hydrogenated oils), baked on the premises
• Hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, poultry and pork, raised locally, and sold at a butcher counter
• Fresh organic produce
• Fresh flowers, grown across the street
• Boars Head Meat and Cheeses, including deli sandwiches
• Prepared foods, made on the premises, including entrees, sides, salads and dips
• Local eggs and organic milk, and a full line of other dairy items (yogurt, cream, soy milk, butter, goat milk and fresh mozzarella)
• Nelson’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and Ciao Bella ice cream
• Baked goods from J.Scones
• Superior Pasta from Philadelphia
• Martin’s chicken and turkey sausages (fresh on Fridays and no preservatives)
• Naturally-processed, fair trade coffee roasted in Bucks County by The Coffee Scoop
• Max & Me Smoked Salmon
• A whole host of great grocery items

To be honest, I was a bit surprised to find all these things at None Such Farm Market, in Buckingham, on Route 263 (York Road). I’ve been living around here for eighteen years, and have shopped from time to time at None Such. It wasn’t until I sat down with Carol Routier, one of the managers at the market, that I began to appreciate what is going on at None Such. It’s not just a farm market anymore.

None Such Farm Market is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, sitting on land that has been farmed by the Yerkes family for over seventy years. Now in the hands of the third generation, the market is being co-managed by Rhonda and Karen Yerkes, wives of Scott and Jon Yerkes (learn more about their history).

There have been some changes, all for the best as you can see from the list above. The market has stuck to its roots – providing fresh, locally grown produce, flowers and plants – and then some. As you reach for the front door, notice the dry erase board directly to the right. It lists what’s fresh and new in the store. Then grab a basket or cart and just wander around.

The Yerkes and their staff have been listening to what Bucks County customers want – all natural products, a variety of interesting gourmet and everyday items, as well as “I just need to pick something up for dinner,” type stuff.

"What's growing" sign

Another great addition is the big blackboard at the cash registers. It lists what’s going on at the farm across the street, including what’s being planted, growing and harvested.

As we’ve mentioned before, Mark and I are carnivores, so if you’re not, you might want to skip this paragraph. While all natural meat products have become more common, we’re very fortunate here in Bucks to have all natural meat raised locally. None Such’s cattle is raised on pasture and long grains, and sold fresh at the market. Take home the 6 oz. hamburger patties – they are wonderful, and they don’t shrink on the grill. The pork and poultry are also local, and are hormone- and antibiotic-free, something not always easy to find in central Bucks (especially in pork products).

Herbs and plants

There is so much more – catering services, great bedding plants and hanging baskets, a fresh flower fridge as you walk in to the right – that you’ll just have to check it out yourself. And now’s a great time since None Such Farm’s strawberries have just arrived. They are available for purchase in the market or you can pick your own (Monday – Sunday, 8 am to 12 pm; Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 5 – 8 pm). Nothing against California strawberries, but they’ve come a long way and they tend to be bland. Stop by None Such Market, buy some, and remember what strawberries are supposed to taste like.

The market is open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm, Route 263, 4458 York Rd., Buckingham, 215.794.5201, www.nonesuchfarms.com

For more photos of the market and its products…

Click on each photo to enlarge.

Tips On Pick-Your-Own Strawberries