3.14 Pi Day!

Happy Pi Day to one and all! 

 

The number pi (π) is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.  This ratio is approximately equal to 3.14159.  All the world over, folks celebrate this constant each year on March 14th - 3.14.  If you are spending Pi Day in St. Louis, you are in luck - one of the city's gems is Pi Pizzeria.  This restaurant has mouth-watering deep dish pizza that could make a Chicago native claim this to be his favorite pizza.  To celebrate the holiday and its fifth birthday, Pi Pizzeria is offering great specials all week long - check them all out at their blog.  

Not able to check out Pi's festivities?  Bake your own pizza and enjoy Pi Day! 

Images: Pi Logo, Pi Pizza  

CSA Q&A

Don't forget that Fresh Gatherings' Harvest CSA program is now accepting membership agreements for the 2013 season!  Still on the fence?  Here's a quick FAQ guide to help you decide!

Q: How long does Fresh Gatherings' Harvest run?
A: The 2013 Fresh Gatherings' Harvest season begins Friday, May 17 and runs through Friday, October 25, for a total of 24 weeks.

Q: How much does it cost to become a member? 
A: Members choose to sign up to either a half share or a full share.  A half share costs $550 ($22.92/week) and a full share costs $850 ($35.42/week).  This price includes all the locally grown food, labor expenses for our CSA employees, plus a small fee for packaging supplies.

Q: How many people does a share feed? 
A: In general, half shares feed 2-4 people per week, while full shares feed 4-8 people per week, depending on your weekly vegetable consumption.

Q: Will I be able to feed my family with the food I pick up every week?
A: There are mainly fruits and vegetables in the shares.  When you come to pick up your CSA share each week in Fresh Gatherings, there will be the Fresh Gatherings' Harvest Market where additional goods will be available for purchase, as a supplement to your CSA share.  Goods for sale include ground beef and turkey, milk, eggs, yogurt, rice, bread (made in-house at Fresh Gatherings Cafe), popcorn, and additional seasonal produce - all of which is locally grown or produced.  One stop on a Friday evening will have many of your weekly need covered.  

Q: Where does the food come from? 
A: The produce comes from a handful of farmers in the greater St. Louis area.  Past farmers that have contributed to our CSA shares include: Berger Bluff Farm, Yoder Farm, Yellowwood Farms, Buttonwood Farm, Theis Farm, Lee Farms, Ozark Forest Mushrooms, Weidner Farm, Echo Valley Orchard, Blue Heron Orchard, St. Isadore Farm, and SLU's very own Gardens to Tables Teaching Farm (located 2 blocks from the CSA pickup location)!

Q: How do I pick up my share each week?
A: CSA members pick up their produce each week at Fresh Gatherings' Cafe which is located in the Allied Health Professional Building on SLU's Medical campus.  The shares will be available for pick-up on Fridays from 3:30 PM until 6 PM.    

Q: How do I sign up?
A: If you are interested in joining Fresh Gatherings' Harvest for the 2013 season, we ask that you contact the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at veggie@slu.edu.  We will invite you to informational meetings held at Fresh Gatherings, answer any other questions you may have, provide you with a membership agreement that all members are required to sign, and process payments.  (We accept cash, credit cards, checks, and Flex dollars.)

Q: When do I need to decide?
A: Commitments for the 2013 season must be made by Monday, May 6, 2013.  

Images from the SLU Garden Archives:
Late Spring Strawberries,
Jalapenos and Tomatoes,
Beans, beans, beans

Planting the Seed...

The growing season is upon us!  Cool weather crops are starting to be planted and soon enough farmers markets will be in full-swing.  But why wait for someone else to grow your food for you?  This year, try growing your own!  Unsure of where to get started?  Here are some helpful tidbits for you!

1. Plan your garden
     One of the most important aspects of planting your garden is knowing what you'll grow!  Especially if you're limited on space, planning out what you'll be planting where and when in the season can make a huge difference. Mother Earth News, Gardener's Supply, Territorial Seeds, and Garden Planner Online all have online programs to help you plan out your garden. 

2. Plan for the seasons 

      This goes along with planning your garden.  Be sure to take into consideration when the plants can thrive in your region.  For example, spinach tends to be a spring and fall crop - planting it in the heat of the summer won't work!  Your local extension office has lots of great information about when it is best to plant in your area. 

3. Buy your seeds (or seedlings)
      Local garden centers will have lots of seeds and seedlings to purchase.  If you want to start your own seeds, it's not too late for many crops.  Johnny's Selected Seeds, Burpee, Territorial Seed Company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Jung Seed, and Botanical Interests are all places to check out that have seeds to purchase.  Thumbing through their seed catalogs are great ways to discover new and different varieties of veggies. 

4.  Keep learning
      During the growing season some things may come up that you have not experienced, like having little critters snack on your plants.  There is so much information on the internet where you can turn to do some research, but ask people!  Use your community resources like the local botanical garden, master gardeners, or other local gardening organizations to help get your questions answered. 

5.  Have fun!
      Enjoy your time spent growing your own food.  In the words of Jerry Greenfield (co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream), "If it's not fun, why do it?"

Images: Garden, Seeds, Garden Books, Ben & Jerry's