Last weekend, my day job life collided with my freelance food writing life. Philly Homegrown, the program I spend three days a week working and writing for brought a collection of food bloggers and journalists from around the country to Philly to show them the many virtues of our local food system. I tagged along on the trip, half writer looking for story inspiration and half program representative who just wanted to ensure that the visiting writers were having a good time. The pictures I took along our travels can be found here. The ones taken inside the Kennett Square mushroom houses are particularly cool (if I do say so myself).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After taking the month of May off from teaching classes, starting this weekend I am firmly back on the teaching wagon. This Saturday from 11 am to 12: 30 pm, I’m leading a class that will revolve around a batch of Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (I am a trial batch this weekend and it nearly knocked my socks off with its goodness). There are still five open spots in that class, please leave a comment or shoot me an email should you want to sign up (cost is $45). There are also still available spots in the rest of my scheduled classes for this summer (these classes are all held in at Indy Hall in Old City, Philadelphia).
In other class news, on Saturday, July 16, I’ll be in the Boston area to teach class at Create a Cook. We’ll be making Spiced Plum Jam and Dilly Beans and all students will take jars of both home with them. This class is limited to 10 students, so if you’re in the Boston area, sign up now!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Many, many months ago, a woman named Kate approached me about the idea of putting together a group of canning-minded folks in the Philadelphia area so that we could band together and buy produce in larger quantities for preserving. We’ve decided to take a shot at it and are putting together an email list to better communicate these opportunities. If this is something you might be interested in, please leave a comment or email me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks for sitting through that newsy update. I’ll return to our regularly scheduled canning posts tomorrow.
Yes! I love the group buying plan.
I’d also be willing to be a driver, should there be a blogger group outing to a PYO place.
Any chance you’re planning to post the recipe for the strawberry rhubarb jam? I’m having trouble using up our rhubarb, and knock-your-socks-off-goodness sounds like just the recipe I need! Thank you!
I would definitely be interested in a buying club – please keep me posted.
Definitely interested in the produce buying group!
Interested!! Please add me to the list for the produce buying. Thanks!
I would be interested in the group buying idea. I am not in Philly but lower Bucks County.
Wish I had known you were in the Kennett area–I would have brought you some of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail’s wine!
Photos of the mushroom houses are great! You have a wonderful job. 🙂
I’m definitely interested in the produce-buying list!
Please, please, please count me in for the produce-buying, canning group. What a fabulous idea!
I am interested in the produce buying group!
Please add me as to the produce buying group.
I would suggest working through Maple Acres farms, near the Plymouth Meeting Mall. They have super produce and seem like the kind of people that will work with a group like this.
1, I want those strawberries in the picture! Yum! I’m heading to the farmer’s market today to see if I can pick some up.
2, I would very much like to be on the list for bulk produce purchases 🙂
I’d be interested in the buying club!
I’d be interested in the buying group, too!
I’m interested if it’s organic produce.
please add me to the buying group list.
Please add me to the buying club list too. Thanks!
I’m definitely interested in the buying group!
Interested in bulk produce buying, especially canning tomatoes!
I am also interested in the buying group.
Wish I lived in your neck of the woods- would love to join your strawberry rhubarb class. I made a batch a few weeks ago. Although the taste is one of my best, it separated with fruit bits moving to the top of the jar. Ugh! Hate it when that happens. Any tips on how to avoid that?
I am also interested in the buying club. I am in lower Bucks.
the buying club sounds like a great idea! count me in.
I would be interested in bulk buying as well.
I have a friend who recently acquired an apple press and I have been trying to track down a source of wholesale priced apples most of all, but we would also be interested in other jam- related fruit as well.
Hi Marisa,
I would be very interested in a buying club. Let me know when and where!
Sara
Please add me to the list! I am always looking for bulk opportunities! Thanks 🙂
I’d definitely be interested in hearing more about the produce buying group.
I would be interested in a buying club, too!
PS I know Becky S. from around the Fishtown neighborhood and instantly knew who you might be visiting when you said you went to Northampton in an earlier post. I went to college up near there and I’m endlessly jealous that she now gets to live there!
I’m keen on a buying club too. What a great idea — the strawberries, the peaches, the grapes, the tomatoes!
Definitely interested in a buying club!
I just made a batch of this last night-so excited for the final result, the smell was intoxicating already.
Beechwood Orchards would be willing to give your group discount prices if you buy in bulk and contact us ahead of time for pick up at rittenhouse.
Thanks Melissa! I will be in touch!
I am interested in bulk buying, also!
If central Jersey isn’t too far out of your way for bulk buying, I’d suggest you check out Tri-County Cooperative Auction Market in Hightstown, NJ (tricountycoop@verizon.net). Farmers sell both directly to the public and at auction in bulk quantities. I haven’t been there yet this year, but last year I bought a box of beets (12 bunches of 5 apiece) for $10 in the direct-to-the-public sale. And it was heartbreaking to see that a farmer couldn’t get the $6.50 he wanted per box of tomatoes in August. (I paid a bit more for a different type of tomato). That will be my source of canning tomatoes. All kinds of produce there and definitely worth checking out. Plus you buy directly from farmers.