Welcome to Week 41

And the countdown continues: 6 weeks to go (including this one). Final pickup is March 7th (8th for Thursday pickups).

This means we're needing to know your plan for Season 5, which begins April 11-12. We intend to have the membership for Season 5 all set up before we end Season 4 so we can enjoy a vacation between seasons.

If you have let us know your intentions for next season, your info should be completed on the list at your check-in spot. If not, please help us get this info so we know who is in and who is out for next season. Everyone has until February 15th to let us know whether or not they intend to renew, and until March 1st to make your first payment. If you know you're in, you can set up your automated check payments now, according to the payment plans listed on the Membership page of the website, or let us know if you want to set up credit card payments and Lindy will arrange it. After March 1st, we will offer up any unpaid shares to those on the wait list. Check the list at your pickup site to make sure we have all your info as you want it. The earlier we know, the earlier we can work on adding new members.

Packaging Returns
Thanks to everyone who returns the Fair Shares jars and egg cartons. We are also happy to take jars that didn't come from Fair Shares ONLY IF THEY ARE THE SAME VARIETIES AND SIZES AS WHAT YOU GET FROM US. Please bring only the jars you've gotten from us if you are unsure of the sizes. We do not take back plastic bean/broth containers. We do take back the blue cardboard pint and quart containers.

Note on Ordering

When we offer a choice in the shares, you may tell the person picking up for you your choice, but we are unable to take orders for preferences, and can't guarantee the selection. Sorry, there's just too much to get done to have time to personalize the shares.

Extras Available

Place your orders and trades by noon the day of your pickup to orders@fairshares.org. After noon, we are usually away from our computers. Don't forget to include your pickup group and name! Check the price list on the website for pricing on all the normally available items. Note that we have some new prices on a few items. If you are trying to make an even swap, be sure to include back up choices in case we run out of your selected item.

NEW! Hinkebein bacon: $7.35/package (average just over a pound). The moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived! Smoked and cured.
We also have Salume Beddu Berkshire bacon ($9.10), and Geisert Jowl and Bacon ends ordered ($5.00).

NEW! Tomato Basil Mozzarella Lamb Brats: $10.50. We're working on plain ground lamb...stay tuned.

We have some pork spare ribs ($4.25/lb, ave. 4.5+lb. slabs) which cook up wonderfully in the crock pot--look it up on Google, there are lots of recipes.
Pork Snack Sticks: $4/5-pack
Bison Snack Sticks: $4.75/4-pack
PRICE CHANGE: Geisert Pork Sausages have gone up in price. Both Hinkebein and Geisert sausage varieties are $6.50 each.

Chicken bones (aka stock bags): $2 each, wow, great deal!

Apples--Fujis: 5/$4.45 Wowza, those are expensive (~ $2.50/lb.), but they're super crunchy and dee-lish!
Frozen Peaches: $6.50/2lb. bag. In my opinion, these are begging for a blender and little rum, but suit yourself.

Greens!: $4.85/.75 lb. A beautiful mix of greens that are tender enough to be used in salad, but will make a marvelous sautéed green as well. Limited quantity available.
Beets: $2.50
Rutabagas: $2.50

Carrots: $2.50/.75lb. bunch
Chestnuts: $2.50/.5 lb. Such a delicious addition to soups and pasta, or as a healthy snack.

Tomatoes: - $1.50/lb. slicers and seconds and greens! There are a number of good looking tomatoes, as well as a lot that have a bruise or a spot, and a number of green turning red tomatoes. We put them all on sale at $1.50/lb. Buy a bunch and roast them up with onion and garlic and a bit of dried herbs for a fantastic sauce for your pasta, rice or winter squash!
                 - $3.90/lb. Ivan's heirlooms are coming to an end. These tomatoes taste better than summertime tomatoes from the grocery store. Crazy, weird, wonderful. Get in on it while you can!
Mushrooms on sale!--Oyster or oyster & shiitake mix: $6/~.5 lb. bag
Delicata, butternut, buttercup or spaghetti squash: $1.50/lb. Amazing that it took us four years before a farmer brought us some buttercup squash. We're excited for the new variety.

Garlic: $1.60/four heads
Onions: $2/lb. Order red or yellow, or some of each!

Eggs: $4. Mushroom Fritatta anyone? Don't forget the cheese.
Cheese Spread: $5/tub. Herb and Spice, Cheddar Blue, Jalapeño Cheddar or Mild Cheddar. Fresh from the freezer! Great on bagels or crackers, or as a veggie dip.

Delicious Alaskan Salmon
Fished and processed by Carbondale, IL fisherman Tony Wood. $12.50/lb. sockeye (richest, strongest flavor and highest fat), coho (medium) and keta (mildest flavor, lowest fat, doesn't need to cook as long or it will dry out). Various sized fillets available. We ordered more sockeye and coho in some larger fillets. Order by the pound and we'll try to match it.