Sherman Market Opens in Union Square

At long last, Sherman Market opened yesterday in Union Square. A spinoff from the nearby Sherman Cafe, Sherman Market features locally sourced foods. It's roughly twice the size of the Dairy Bar in Davis Square, so here's hoping they have a broader selection of local foods. When I went in today, they had local, organic produce such as heirloom tomatoes, tomatillos, garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and fresh herbs. They also had jams, jellies, teas, coffees, ready-made soup stock, and a freezer full of Giovanna gelato made in Newton. We picked up one pint of coffee gelato and one of chocolate. Mmmm... I think this may be the same gelato we ate at Stone Hearth Pizza last weekend. Next week, I hope to chat a bit more with the owner and find out where they get their products. Actually, their twitter feed says a great deal about their sources. (Their web site is currently under construction.)

ASIDE: I found wild hen of the woods mushrooms at flora restaurant's stall at the Arlington Farmer's market yesterday. These wonderful, seasonal mushrooms are a real treat, so keep an eye out for them again next week. Other lovely surprises included our favorite ham steak from Chestnut Farms on sale, organic numex green chiles, and lobsters on sale for $4.99-$5.99/lb. Wow!

Time to Order Winter Shares

A friend recently asked me for recommendations for winter shares. This interests me, too, because our CSA, Brookfield Farm, will not deliver its winter shares from Amherst. Here's what I came up with. Be aware that I'm biased towards CSAs that deliver to the Arlington/Cambridge/Somerville area.

1. Drumlin Farm - requires that you spend 10 hours working on the farm, which is kind of cool. No word on pickup location, but Lincoln isn't very far from Cambridge.
2. Enterprise Farm - has an autumn share that just started yesterday and a year-round share - pickup at Kick*ss Cupcakes in Davis Sq. Wed. 2-7. They also offer home delivery.
3. The Food Project - pickup in Lincoln for Nov. and Dec. only.
4. Heaven's Harvest Farm - Another fall share until just before Thanksgiving, pick up at Cambridge Harvest Coop.
5. Red Fire Farm - has a winter share and delivers to Cambridge and Somerville for a small fee. May be sold out.
6. Stone Soup Farm - has a Nov-Dec winter share, pickup at Democracy Center in Cambridge.