This has been such a busy whirlwind summer. I recently had a customer comment that we needed to update our fall hours to the blog. I came by to change the hours and noticed that the last post was in JUNE! With the CSA and recipe blog, facebook, twitter and the emails that we send out, I guess that this one just got left behind.
Our last day of the season this year will be Saturday, October 6th.
Once I find a few moments, I'll be certain to post more info as to what's going on at the shop these days!
Cheers
Erin
Friday, September 14, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The countdown is on!
The countdown to the bounty of summer produce is on!
We currently have oodles of spring greens in the shop, pea shoots, spring mix, spinach, herbs, beautiful lettuces. Radishes, Asparagus and Rhubarb are in full swing. Swiss Chard and Beet greens are making an occasional appearance, and the Manitoba Hothouse Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Strawberries are in good supply.
But oh the anticipation....
I have spoken with some of my growers and it seems that....
Bunched carrots may be arriving as early as June 11th! Baby bunched beets should follow shortly after.
Garden peas are starting to fill out, if the weather gets warm again, they may be ready in as little as 2 weeks!
The field Strawberries are forming and if the weather picks up, will be ready by the end of June.
The new potatoes are at the same pace as the field strawberries. Some warm weather will get them here by the end of June.
It's the hurry up and wait time of year. All we need is a couple of weeks of sunny warm weather, and the store will be bursting with local goodies.
LOCAL AT CRAMPTON'S RIGHT NOW
Asparagus
Rhubarb
Radishes
Spring Mix
Spinach
Pea Shoots
Swiss Chard
Beet Greens
Lettuces
Tomatoes (hot house)
English Cucumbers (hot house)
Mini Cucumbers (hot house)
Cocktail tomatoes (hothouse)
Strawberries (hot house)
Coming Soon....
Bunched carrots, bunched beets, peas, potatoes, field strawberries.....the anticipation is wonderful.
We currently have oodles of spring greens in the shop, pea shoots, spring mix, spinach, herbs, beautiful lettuces. Radishes, Asparagus and Rhubarb are in full swing. Swiss Chard and Beet greens are making an occasional appearance, and the Manitoba Hothouse Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Strawberries are in good supply.
But oh the anticipation....
I have spoken with some of my growers and it seems that....
Bunched carrots may be arriving as early as June 11th! Baby bunched beets should follow shortly after.
Garden peas are starting to fill out, if the weather gets warm again, they may be ready in as little as 2 weeks!
The field Strawberries are forming and if the weather picks up, will be ready by the end of June.
The new potatoes are at the same pace as the field strawberries. Some warm weather will get them here by the end of June.
It's the hurry up and wait time of year. All we need is a couple of weeks of sunny warm weather, and the store will be bursting with local goodies.
LOCAL AT CRAMPTON'S RIGHT NOW
Asparagus
Rhubarb
Radishes
Spring Mix
Spinach
Pea Shoots
Swiss Chard
Beet Greens
Lettuces
Tomatoes (hot house)
English Cucumbers (hot house)
Mini Cucumbers (hot house)
Cocktail tomatoes (hothouse)
Strawberries (hot house)
Coming Soon....
Bunched carrots, bunched beets, peas, potatoes, field strawberries.....the anticipation is wonderful.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
A better start than 2011!!
I keep track of the weather every day that the store is open. If I need to find out years later why strawberry sales were down one July, I just need to take a look at my notes detailing killing frosts in June on that year.
Last year this week my weather entries included, "Crazy Wind", "7 degrees and rain again" as well as "2 degrees, rain and SLEET!".
This spring is a much different one, and the produce is already showing it!
MANITOBA HOTHOUSE STRAWBERRIES NOW AVAILABLE
I work with a wonderful farmer who has planted strawberries in his greenhouse for me! Clearly a small greenhouse can't produce what acres of fields can produce in July, but the few hundred pints of berries that we get each week are worth the wait. We post on our facebook every time a new delivery of these luscious gems arrive, then it's first come first served to Manitoba strawberry fabulousness! The strawberries are Spray Free and have AMAZING flavour.
MANITOBA ASPARAGUS NOW AVAILABLE
The Manitoba Asparagus is just BEAUTIFUL right now. Being one of the quickest and easiest veggies to prepare, Marc and I actually get to have cooked asparagus fairly often in the spring. With the heat, this year's crop is growing quickly. The farmers are cutting every day or every second day. if this heat keeps up, I would expect a shorter than usual asparagus crop. Now is the perfect time for fresh eating, freezing or pickling asparagus. Check out our recipe blog for some easy asparagus recipes. www.cramptonsrecipes.com Just head to the blog and type "asparagus" in the search bar at the top right hand side.
Asparagus is a perennial, meaning it grows every spring of its own accord, A well tended commercial asparagus patch can last for 20 years if cared for properly. They are hardy plants with deep roots. A few years ago my asparagus farmer lost one picking of his crop to frost, the spears froze over night. But the hearty plant just kept producing more spears. Most veggies do not have that ability. Low in calories but high in fiber and taste, this veggie is just the spring tonic we need to get into summer mode!!
MANITOBA FIDDLEHEADS AVAILABLE FOR ONE MORE WEEK!
Fiddleheads are the baby start to ostrich ferns. Those ferns that you see when walking through low lying areas near streams are the adult form of fiddleheads! Because they full of tannins and enzymes, you MUST boil fiddleheads for 8-10 minutes to remove these substances that can cause stomach upset. Read all about how to prepare this spring delicacy on our recipe blog. www.cramptonsrecipes.com Just type in "fiddleheads" in the search bar at the top.
This hot spring has meant that the fiddleheads have grown very quickly. All of the baby fiddleheads in the forest have now turned into ferns. (unroll one of the fiddleheads with your kids, see if they can tell what the adult plant is) Our pickers have harvested what they could, and we have enough in our cooler to last us another 7 days or so (depending on how quickly people buy them). Once they are gone, that's it until 2013. Sigh. These ferns used to be commercially harvested on the east coast of Canada and sold frozen by Mc Cains, but alas, these temperamental greens proved to be commercially unsuccessful. Some things are just meant to be wild.
MOREL MUSHROOMS
Last year we had next to no wild harvested Morel Mushrooms. Cool weather and too much rain held them back. This year they are coming back with a vengeance! The sun and the rain have hit in a perfect combination to make these mushrooms grow. They won't be around for much longer, so now is the time to try some "prairie truffles" . Once again, recipes are all on the blog at www.cramptonsrecipes.com.
Have a fabulous long weekend!
Erin
Last year this week my weather entries included, "Crazy Wind", "7 degrees and rain again" as well as "2 degrees, rain and SLEET!".
This spring is a much different one, and the produce is already showing it!
MANITOBA HOTHOUSE STRAWBERRIES NOW AVAILABLE
I work with a wonderful farmer who has planted strawberries in his greenhouse for me! Clearly a small greenhouse can't produce what acres of fields can produce in July, but the few hundred pints of berries that we get each week are worth the wait. We post on our facebook every time a new delivery of these luscious gems arrive, then it's first come first served to Manitoba strawberry fabulousness! The strawberries are Spray Free and have AMAZING flavour.
MANITOBA ASPARAGUS NOW AVAILABLE
The Manitoba Asparagus is just BEAUTIFUL right now. Being one of the quickest and easiest veggies to prepare, Marc and I actually get to have cooked asparagus fairly often in the spring. With the heat, this year's crop is growing quickly. The farmers are cutting every day or every second day. if this heat keeps up, I would expect a shorter than usual asparagus crop. Now is the perfect time for fresh eating, freezing or pickling asparagus. Check out our recipe blog for some easy asparagus recipes. www.cramptonsrecipes.com Just head to the blog and type "asparagus" in the search bar at the top right hand side.
Asparagus is a perennial, meaning it grows every spring of its own accord, A well tended commercial asparagus patch can last for 20 years if cared for properly. They are hardy plants with deep roots. A few years ago my asparagus farmer lost one picking of his crop to frost, the spears froze over night. But the hearty plant just kept producing more spears. Most veggies do not have that ability. Low in calories but high in fiber and taste, this veggie is just the spring tonic we need to get into summer mode!!
MANITOBA FIDDLEHEADS AVAILABLE FOR ONE MORE WEEK!
Fiddleheads are the baby start to ostrich ferns. Those ferns that you see when walking through low lying areas near streams are the adult form of fiddleheads! Because they full of tannins and enzymes, you MUST boil fiddleheads for 8-10 minutes to remove these substances that can cause stomach upset. Read all about how to prepare this spring delicacy on our recipe blog. www.cramptonsrecipes.com Just type in "fiddleheads" in the search bar at the top.
This hot spring has meant that the fiddleheads have grown very quickly. All of the baby fiddleheads in the forest have now turned into ferns. (unroll one of the fiddleheads with your kids, see if they can tell what the adult plant is) Our pickers have harvested what they could, and we have enough in our cooler to last us another 7 days or so (depending on how quickly people buy them). Once they are gone, that's it until 2013. Sigh. These ferns used to be commercially harvested on the east coast of Canada and sold frozen by Mc Cains, but alas, these temperamental greens proved to be commercially unsuccessful. Some things are just meant to be wild.
MOREL MUSHROOMS
Last year we had next to no wild harvested Morel Mushrooms. Cool weather and too much rain held them back. This year they are coming back with a vengeance! The sun and the rain have hit in a perfect combination to make these mushrooms grow. They won't be around for much longer, so now is the time to try some "prairie truffles" . Once again, recipes are all on the blog at www.cramptonsrecipes.com.
Have a fabulous long weekend!
Erin
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Crampton's Sponsored Agriculture
We have set our opening day. Crampton's will start off the 2012 season on Wednesday May 9th! As of that day we will be open
Monday to Friday 9-8
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 9-6
And yes, the bakery will be up and running with everything, the natural meats freezer will be fully stocked, the Manitoba and Canadian dry goods will all be in place, and if the spring is a warm one, we may even have Asparagus. But you all know by now, local produce marches to the beat of its own drummer. It will arrive when it's darned good and ready.
Starting the first week of July and running for 14 weeks Crampton's is offering our very own Crampton's Sponsored Agriculture.
We have partnered with 6 Manitoba farmers to offer a weekly pre packed produce bag. Each week we will be filling the bags with what an average family of 4 (2 adults, 2 small children), would eat for produce for the week. If you are a vegetarian family, or a HUGE veggie eater like our household of 2, this would only represent a portion of what your family may consume during the week. Our "Half Share" option is for people living on their own, or a couple.
The boxes will be filled with a mix of spray free and certified organic produce from Manitoba. 6 farmers participating in this venture means that your risk is lowered. If one farmer floods or gets hailed out, you still have 5 other farmers to count on.
Sign up at the store between May 9th and June 15th
Cost-$490 per share (comes to $35/week)
By popular demand HALF SHARE $280 (comes to $20/week).
Payment-We accept cash and debit at the store. To hold your spot, full payment of share must be made by June 15th.
You get-14 weeks of fresh Manitoba spray free and organic produce beginning Wednesday, July 4th
Pick up-Every Wednesday from 9 am till 8 pm starting July 4th right at Crampton's Market. Can't make it on a Wednesday? Send a friend to pick it up (let us know first). All boxes not picked up by closing on Wednesday will be donated to Siloam Mission or Agape table. Shares run from July 4th to Wednesday October 3rd.
What's in the box? Whatever is local, fresh, in season and spray free or certified organic. The contents of your box will change every week but throughout the season will include (weather depending)
-lettuces, kale, swiss chard, garlic, asparagus, cucumbers, herbs, potatoes, carrots, beets, beans, snap peas, strawberries, raspberries, saskatoons, sour cherries, apples, plums, wild blueberries, melons, corn, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, leek, onions, peppers etc etc.
Substitutions? Sorry but no. What is available is what is available. We will strive to have the greatest variety possible in each box, meaning that there should be something for everyone.
Is this for me?-Our CSA is for you if you will be in Winnipeg for most weeks during the summer, or can have someone pick it up if you are at the lake. If you love to cook, discover new foods, and want only the freshest of Manitoba spray free and organic produce! Our CSA is perfect if you would like to cut your shopping time down AND increase the amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Won't be in town for one month of the CSA? Donate your portion to charity or find a food buddy to partner with.
It's too much!!-Can't eat 35 dollars worth of produce a week? Participate in our half share program or find a friend to share with. Neighbours, family members or a colleague can make a great food buddy.
Start saving up now, and join our CSA when we open again in May!
Monday to Friday 9-8
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 9-6
And yes, the bakery will be up and running with everything, the natural meats freezer will be fully stocked, the Manitoba and Canadian dry goods will all be in place, and if the spring is a warm one, we may even have Asparagus. But you all know by now, local produce marches to the beat of its own drummer. It will arrive when it's darned good and ready.
NEW FOR THIS YEAR!!
We are making an exciting addition to Crampton's Market this summer. To complement our retail store, and to help more small farmers go organic we will be adding a CSA program for those customers who would like to purchase spray free and organic Manitoba produce.Starting the first week of July and running for 14 weeks Crampton's is offering our very own Crampton's Sponsored Agriculture.
We have partnered with 6 Manitoba farmers to offer a weekly pre packed produce bag. Each week we will be filling the bags with what an average family of 4 (2 adults, 2 small children), would eat for produce for the week. If you are a vegetarian family, or a HUGE veggie eater like our household of 2, this would only represent a portion of what your family may consume during the week. Our "Half Share" option is for people living on their own, or a couple.
The boxes will be filled with a mix of spray free and certified organic produce from Manitoba. 6 farmers participating in this venture means that your risk is lowered. If one farmer floods or gets hailed out, you still have 5 other farmers to count on.
Sign up at the store between May 9th and June 15th
Cost-$490 per share (comes to $35/week)
By popular demand HALF SHARE $280 (comes to $20/week).
Payment-We accept cash and debit at the store. To hold your spot, full payment of share must be made by June 15th.
You get-14 weeks of fresh Manitoba spray free and organic produce beginning Wednesday, July 4th
Pick up-Every Wednesday from 9 am till 8 pm starting July 4th right at Crampton's Market. Can't make it on a Wednesday? Send a friend to pick it up (let us know first). All boxes not picked up by closing on Wednesday will be donated to Siloam Mission or Agape table. Shares run from July 4th to Wednesday October 3rd.
What's in the box? Whatever is local, fresh, in season and spray free or certified organic. The contents of your box will change every week but throughout the season will include (weather depending)
-lettuces, kale, swiss chard, garlic, asparagus, cucumbers, herbs, potatoes, carrots, beets, beans, snap peas, strawberries, raspberries, saskatoons, sour cherries, apples, plums, wild blueberries, melons, corn, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, leek, onions, peppers etc etc.
Substitutions? Sorry but no. What is available is what is available. We will strive to have the greatest variety possible in each box, meaning that there should be something for everyone.
Is this for me?-Our CSA is for you if you will be in Winnipeg for most weeks during the summer, or can have someone pick it up if you are at the lake. If you love to cook, discover new foods, and want only the freshest of Manitoba spray free and organic produce! Our CSA is perfect if you would like to cut your shopping time down AND increase the amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Won't be in town for one month of the CSA? Donate your portion to charity or find a food buddy to partner with.
It's too much!!-Can't eat 35 dollars worth of produce a week? Participate in our half share program or find a friend to share with. Neighbours, family members or a colleague can make a great food buddy.
Start saving up now, and join our CSA when we open again in May!
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