Good Stuff NW: Can we say goodbye to Winter?
"Goodbye, adios, sayonara, au revoir, zài jiàn!"
I can't remember when I've been more eager to say buh-bye to winter. I've been reveling in the violets and crocuses popping up in neighbors' lawns as I stroll by, marveling at the brave daffodils beginning to show their sunny faces, and snapping my head around as the lilting scents of witch hazel, daphne and edgeworthia waft by.
It was a particularly brutal winter for Oregon's farmers, with epic crop failures from frigid snow and ice storms—some farms reported six or more inches of ice on their fields—and floods that in some cases washed crops, animals and farm structures away. Farmers' markets were called off due to dangerous conditions, further affecting an already tough economic time for the area's farmers. If you can, join a CSA or make a trip to your local market and give these hardy folks a big high five…they've had a rough winter!
Speaking of Community Supported Agriculture—CSA for short—the Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition just wrapped up its CSA Share Fair, an annual opportunity for the community to meet area farmers and browse the options available to buy shares of vegetables, meat, flowers, fish, mushrooms and more. For those not sure what that commitment might involve, I reposted "What the Heck is a CSA?", a complete explainer for the curious. Check it out and see if there's an offer you can't refuse.
We're more than halfway through the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session, and while it's called the "short" session, held for six weeks in even-numbered years, there are several pieces of legislation that will affect the food we put on our tables. There are also important actions that you can take to let your legislators know how you expect them to vote on issues like protecting our organic seed from GMO canola, endorsing smart housing policies that won't encourage urban sprawl to spill onto agricultural land, and supporting access to fresh, locally grown produce for folks on food assistance.
And did you know that around 90 percent of the seafood caught off the Oregon coast is being shipped out of the state? And that 90 percent of the seafood served at our restaurants is being shipped in? To address that disconnect, there's a brand new Oregon Seafood Locator that's been launched to connect people to the many different types of seafood harvested in Oregon. It's a dynamic process, so if you know a business that sells Oregon seafood products, there's a link in the post to let them know!
And since we're talking about eating (and when am I not?), I've added several recipes that lean in on heartiness, from a big ol' beef and vegetable stew to a sheet pan supper featuring root vegetables and chicken slathered in gochujang. A pot of chili is perfect for this chilly transition to spring, so I've included a hefty black bean and beef chili that'll make your family's bellies happy. And to extend citrus season until next year, I'm sharing a citrus marmalade that my family has put on its favorites list for a couple of years now.
I can't close this letter without saying a big thank you to the Beaverton Farmers Market, which launched its winter season on February 3, for its longtime support of Good Stuff NW. Advertisers keep the wheels turning on this wobbly cart, and I'm always interested in talking with new partners if you know someone who would be a good fit!
Thanks for reading,
Kathleen Bauer