Farm Fresh Friday Oct 15th in HD - Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes

Bright and colorful cherry heirloom tomatoes from Oak Grove Plantation in Pittstown, NJ for our FIRST Farm Fresh Friday. Naturally, I tried a few, and they're nothing short of delicious :)

Farm Fresh Fridays HD VIDEO

Hey Everyone! Here's our latest video to give you a visual on what to expect on Farm Fresh Fridays! EAT UP!

REduce REuse REcycle

Over this last year or two, we the people have become more involved in what’s been dubbed the Green Revolution. More and more people seem to be waking up to the fact that recycling is quite pivotal to an environmentally friendly world. There’s no denying that as a culture, we waste a lot. Whether it’s food, gasoline, electricity, paper, you name it we’re a society of over indulgence. However, the biggest problem with this picture is not necessarily the amount that which we use, but the amount that which we don’t re-use. It’s actually quite incredible at which how much of our most used materials are reusable. To think that we spend money on sinking garbage into the depths of the ocean, or smuggling it into landfills when a lot of it can be reused is quite unsettling. What’s the benefit to using new plastic for garbage bags when it ends up in the garbage anyway? We’ve found there is none.

Doing our part, and doing what we simply believe in, we’ve ensured that every bag, container, and piece of cutlery is environmentally friendly. Even our napkins and coffee cup sleeves are made from recycled content. Our plastic bags are made for us by EnviroJolt™. They are designed and manufactured to be environmentally friendly. They’re even printed with water based inks and are fully recyclable. Alongside our bags, we have salad containers known as: The Bottle Box™. Made from 100% post consumer PET beverage bottles – guaranteed. This process is the very first of its kind in the US to utilize 100% recycled bottles to make each Bottle Box™.

And now, for those of you who prefer not be bothered with “baggage”, we have our very own reusable tote bags. For just a buck, you purchase one of our totes and receive 25 cents off your entire purchase EVERYTIME YOU USE IT in store. So now that you’re aware of our involvement with the Green Revolution, what can you do to get involved yourself? Be mindful of where your eateries source their materials. Whether it’s the food, or the packaging – it all can end up in the same place when you’re finished with it. Let’s make sure that place is in a recycling bin.

In Season: Fall

           As the weather gets colder, and the leaves start to turn to shades of autumn reds and oranges, we are presented with a whole new line of produce that are officially in season. This new colony of vegetables will be making their way to the markets and then to their born fate – our plates. From root vegetables and leafy greens, to legumes and herbs, the fall has some tasteful, healthy produce in store for us to indulge.

Although you can get most produce year round, regardless if it’s “in season” it tends to not be quite as good. So when the time of year comes around when particular things are in their prime, it’s a very exciting time down here at F & C. Because we’re in such close contact with where we get our produce, we’re quick to make sure that we are fully stocked the minute what we need is in full bloom.

Here are a few rooted greens to expect, and what to look for as you pick and choose your perfect produce:

Avocados: Great source of vitamins A,C, and F, potassium, fiber and iron.

Choose ones that yield when you gently press them with your thumb. They should be a uniform shade of bluish black.

Beets: Great source of folate, potassium and vitamin C.

Choose beets that are firm, with smooth roots without any splits. You know they’re freshest when the greens are still attached.

Pumpkin: Great source of vitamin C, A, and folate.

Choose "pie pumpkins" or small pumpkins - they're easier to cook with. Pick ones that seem heavy for their size, with thick hard skin and no blemishes.

Broccoli: Great source of vitamin C, folate, and fiber.

Choose broccoli that has firm stems, with heads that are a dark green/purple color. The buds should be closed, with no evidence of any yellow flowers.

This is the season for a vast variety of excellent fruits and veggies. Listed above were just a few! Happy hunting on all of your produce endeavors for this fall!