Hmong American Farmers Association

Growing community wealth since 2011

Summer CSA Newsletter, Week 10

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Originally published on August 28, 2018 
NEWSLETTER:  SUMMER CSA WEEK 10
HAFA Staffers Yao Yang, Mee Thor, and Stephanie Herr at the 2017 Hmong MN Day at the MN State Fair. This year, Hmong MN Day will happen on September 3rd, 2018.
 
Dear CSA Members,
 
Greetings from the HAFA Farm and welcome to week ten of your summer share! Have you been cooking anything awesome with your CSA veggies? Are you planning to use HAFA produce to make something delicious for your Labor Day parties? If so, don’t forget to tag us (@hafafarmers) in your photos -we’d love to see your creations.

True Minnesotans know that Labor Day is synonymous with the Minnesota State Fair. This time of year, everyone seems abuzz with the excitement that this yearly ritual brings. Though there are many foods on a stick, consider stopping by the Farmers Union Coffee Shop to support local foods and businesses. If you are waiting until Labor Day to make the trek, stop by Dan Patch Park for Hmong MN Day at the MN State Fair! HAFA will be among many Hmong-led organizations supporting this day of celebration. Stop by and say hi, you may even win a prize! (Hint:  Brush up on your produce list). Hmong MN Day is on Monday, September 3rd, at the MN State Fair.

As a heads up, Labor Day will not affect CSA Deliveries next week. All members can expect to pick up their CSAs at the usual time on 9/5/2018 and 9/6/2018.

As always, we hope you enjoy this week’s box and happy eating!

In solidarity,
The HAFA Family
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall and Thanksgiving CSAs are still available! 
Warning!!! Fall Shares are half way to selling out, don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy delicious fall produce grown by HAFA Farmers.
hafa-farmers-veggies-collage
Fall CSA, 7 weeks

September 27 – November 8
Full Share $200
Half Share $125
Flower shares are sold out
 
Thanksgiving Share*
Pick-up November 15 and 16
Veggie Share $50

Optional turkey:
Small – $28
Medium – $36
Large – $45
 
Sign Up Now!
*Thanksgiving shares are only available for pick-up at the Good Acre on November 15 and 16.
 
 

WHAT’S IN YOUR CSA BOX?
This week you can expect the following in your CSA box:
FULL SHARES

Cherry Tomatoes – 1 pint
Ground Cherries – 1 pint
Hmong Sticky Corn – 8 ears
Mustard Greens – 1 bunch
Red Bell Peppers – 1 pound
Red Potatoes – 2 pounds
Sage – 1 bunch
Slicing Tomatoes – 1.5 pounds
Yellow Onions – 2 pounds
 
HALF SHARES
On Choy – 1 bunch
Red Bell Peppers – 1 pound
Red Potatoes – 2 pounds
Sage – 1 bunch
Slicing Tomatoes – 1 pound
Sweet Corn – 5 ears
Yellow Onions – 1.5 pounds
Things to note: 

  • Hmong sticky corn can be steamed and eaten like yellow corn. It has a chewier, or waxy, consistency.
  • On choy is also known as water spinach. It can be stir fried with a bit of garlic, oyster sauce and fish sauce to add complexity to any dish. The mustard greens can also be prepared in a similar way.
 

RECIPE
 
Fresh Corn Salsa Recipe
from Cookie + Kate
INGREDIENTS
  • 3 cups raw corn kernels* (from about 4 cobs of shucked sweet corn)
  • 1 cup finely chopped red onion (about ½ medium onion)
  • Optional: 1 diced ripe avocado
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (about 1 bunch)
  • 1 to 2 medium jalapeños, finely chopped (use 1 for mild-to-medium salsa or 2 for more spicy salsa)
  • ¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes), to taste
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

 

DIRECTIONS
  1. In a medium serving bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Stir to combine.
  2. Adjust to taste, if necessary: For more zing, add about 1 teaspoon more vinegar or 1 tablespoon more lime juice. For more flavor overall, add another pinch of salt. For more spice, add more jalapeño.
  3. For best flavor, allow the salsa to marinate for 20 minutes before serving. This salsa keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 3 to 4 days.
 

STAFF PROFILE: PAKOU HANG
 
pakou-hang-hmong-culture-tour

Pakou Hang is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA), a social justice organization that was created to build community wealth among Hmong American farmers and their families. In 2014, she was appointed by the Mayor to the Minneapolis Food Council and is a former member of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Citizens Board. Her previous professional experiences include providing civic engagement and strategic consulting to national non-profits and philanthropic partners through her firm, WGH Consulting, and serving as the Deputy Vice President of the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington D.C. Pakou completed her Masters in Political Science from the University of Minnesota in 2008 and her Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1999. She is a recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award, the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, and the Bush Fellowship affiliated with the Bush Foundation.