Newsletter Week 8

First, we'd like to sincerely thank those of you who contributed to our Flood Relief fund. As Mary Ann said in her addendum to last week's letter, the excessive moisture this season has hit us harder than I have let on in these letters. While we've reserved the best of our produce for you, our shareholders, other aspects of Wellspring's Garden Program--such as our farmers' market sales--have suffered. Your support is greatly appreciated!

As we move into the summer and a larger variety of crops, I often get inquiries as to the best way to store the vegetables you receive. This information is taken primarily from How to Keep Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Longer with Less Spoilage by Tracy Frisch. "Suitable temperature and moisture," Frisch writes, "and the separate storage of incompatible types of produce are the keys to keeping fruits and vegetables fresh and attractive as long as possible."

Thus, knowing the temperature and moisture level of your fridge and its various compartments is a good first step. A plastic bag is generally a good bet for veggies requiring moisture, though having some kind of air flow--and avoiding condensed moisture or freestanding water--is ideal. Here are some general guidelines for common vegetables:

Cold (32 degrees F) and Humid (95%)

lettuce and other leafy greens, root crops such as beets carrots radishes turnips, broccoli, brussels sprouts cabbage and cauliflower, peas, leeks, scallions

The above are "ethylene sensitive" which means they should be kept separate from "ethylene producing" such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, cantaloupes and apricots.

Warm (45-50 degrees F) and Humid (95%)

beans, cucumbers, potatoes, summer squash, zucchini, eggplants, peppers; these too are ethylene sensitive

tomatoes, avocados, honeydew melon require the same temperature and humidity but are ethylene producing

Warm (55 degrees F) and Dry (65-75%)

onions, pumpkins, winter squash

-Jeff Schreiber

From Marissa (the blogger): Food Network has a thorough article about storing produce at

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_cg_storing/0,3175,FOOD_29737,00.html