In This Edition

Soft "Whole Grain" Pretzels

The Farmer is happy-he is skiing

Product Profile:  Bluebird's CSA- as fresh as it gets

New Years Special:  10%  OFF  all CSA purchases.   Offer ends February 1st!

 Next Seattle Markets & Delivery January 29th/30th

Job Opening for Seattle Farmers Market Sales


Note from the Farmer



Oh and what a nice, wintry month to end the year December was!  There was plenty of snow for some good skiing both on the hills and on the trails, and fast sledding on the side.  Good food and good company kept us warm here on the Rendezvous, even though the final days of the year did not budge much above 10 F.

Thanks to all of you for understanding as we “shut down” for the holidays for the first time ever, after a very busy pre-holiday season.  A precedent may have been set….?!
Now that the temp has warmed all the way to 20 F, all systems are back up and running.  This first week of the month is busy with milling orders and we hope it will continue on through for the entire year.  You all helped us have another positive year in 2010.

To follow up briefly on the note I made on some of our grain from the past harvest: I no sooner open my mouth (pen) to say how some of the grain may have lost some of the “shine” due to the wet year and we’re into a batch now that looks the same as ever.  As I did say, I think there will be some variation throughout the entire lot.  Rest assured that we will be constantly testing and scrutinizing our grain every time we crank up the milling line.  This is one of the main advantages for not only operating everything in-house, but doing so and shipping to order.
Of the resolutions you all made to kick off the new year, here at Bluebird we’re excited to help fill the one that reads: Eat more quality whole grains and baked goods!  Meanwhile, we do send you the best wishes for 2011.  And we do hope for a bit more fresh snow! 

Very best to all,  Farmer Sam 

Bluebird News

New years Special:  10% off all Bluebird CSAs. Offer ends February 1st.  You can purchase on line or call our office at 1.888.232.0331.  This offer will give you a 25% savings on Bluebird Products for months to come!   

Job Opening: We have a Seattle farmers market sales position open.  The job is approximately 16 hours per week (Saturday and Sundays) starting April 2nd/3rd through December. For full job description e-mail brooke@bluebirdgrainfarms.com. Serious inquiries only please. 
Bluebird Farmers Market & Bulk Delivery Schedule:  
 
  •      January  29th (U-District) / 30th (Ballard)   Please have your bulk special orders in by January 21st. 
  •      February 29/30th  Please have bulk orders in by February  18th
  •      April 2nd/3rd  Resume our weekly market Schedule through October.  Bulk deliveries TBA.

 Farmer-Fisher Chef Collaborative- February 28th:    We look forward to seeing some of you at the 6Th annual gathering of the Seattle Farmer-Fisher Event in Seattle.  Click here for more info.

Bluebird resumes normal office hours:                 Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8a.m.-4pm.


Winter out our kitchen window. 

Recipe of the Month:
"whole grain"
Soft Pretzels  

 On New Year’s day we have a pretzel tradition.  This year instead of following our tried and true recipe I decided to try a new soft pretzel recipe by baker Jen Rybarczyk,  published in Edible Portland 2011 Winter Issue.  It is a winner!  My only modification for this recipe was that we used Bluebird Whole Grain Hard White Flour for both the starter and final mix instead of your basic bread flour.  The pretzels turned out fabulous and they were 100% whole grain, and delicious!  We all agreed that the starter and beer were two new steps to our pretzel tradition that made this recipe a notch above the rest- not to mention the fresh milled flavor of Bluebird’s all purpose hard white wheat flour.   To view Edible Portland’s video on how to make pretzels click here. For the recipe click here.
 



 
Product Profile: Bluebird's CSA
Monthly Grain CSA (Community Supported Agriculture): locally grown grains from our plow to your plate
Do you value 100% locally grown products, nutrition and organic foods? How about sustainable farming practices? Are you a frequent consumer of whole grains, fresh milled flour, hot cereal or perhaps pancakes? If so, our grain CSA may be a great match for you and your family.
 
Bluebird Grain Farms CSAoffers heirloom whole grains, freshly milled flour, and handcrafted blends delivered to your door monthly. Just imagine—a Simple Sharegives you a monthly delivery of any three Bluebird 1.3lb or 2lb pre-packaged products, including all handcrafted blends, fresh milled flours, and whole grains. Perfect for one or two people.
 
Larger households will love our Run of the Mill Share, which gives you a choice of any five of our 1.3lb or 2lb pre-packaged products. Both the Simple Share and the Run of the Mill Share are available in 4-month and 6-month options and are shipped free to your home or business or can be picked up locally in the Methow Valley and the Seattle area.
 
Bluebird’s CSAs are unique in that you choose your own items each month according to your household’s tastes. Want all pancake and wafflemixes? No problem. Have a hankering for whole grain emmerthis month? Fill up your CSA basket with it. Can’t resist those sage biscuits? Make them as often as you please.
 
Bluebird CSAs are a smart choice because:
  • …our CSA shares provide options for breakfasts (hot cereal, scones, biscuits, pancake and waffle mixes), lunches and dinners (pilaf, risotto, polenta), as well as pasta, breads, and desserts made from freshly-milled Bluebird flours(pudding, cakes, pies, cookies, brownies)
  • …our mix-n-match system allows you to select your own CSA components each month
  • …CSA customers receive a discount on Bluebird’s retail pricing- if you order by Febuary 1st, you will save up to 25% on Bluebird products.
  • …CSA customers receive complimentary products and a recipe book
  • …our whole grains and milled products are always fresh, always organic, always natural
 
CSA programs are one of the most powerful tools we have for building a more local and equitable agricultural system: one that allows growers like Bluebird to focus on land stewardship while maintaining productive and profitable small farm businesses. So eat local, and connect with our farm throughout the year—become a Bluebird CSA member!

New Years Discount! Recieve a 10% off a CSA purchased by February 1st, 2011. Click here for a direct link to our CSA special.

To join call our office at 1-888-232-0331, or order your CSA share online.