How can a suburban homeowner store produce during the winter without a root cellar? A refrigerator, unheated attic, spare room or basement (cellar) will do.

 Keep in mind that apples and potatoes can not be stored together in unheated areas of the house or basements. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are best stored in dark cellars or basements. Squash, onions, and garlic can be stored in unheated attics or spare rooms. Carrots, beets, apples and pears, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips and rutabagas are stored best in the refrigerator. Check out storage length at the URL below.
 
Here’a URL for a comprehensive guide to storing produce during the winter.
 
 Dos and Don’ts-
 
Identify the areas in your house that do not freeze and may be suitable for storing vegetables. Never wash a vegetable that you re preparing for storage. Washing shortens storage life, sometimes by months.When storing in a plastic bag in the refrigerator make sure that you remove as much air from the bag as possible before storing
See the chart for storage methods for each vegetable-
 
 http://www.farmdirectcoop.org/veggie_storage
 

St Croix Vineyards, Stillwater, MN‏

Wine Stomp Weekend Festivals
Every weekend in October and November
www.scvwines.com

Saint Croix Vineyards
6428 Manning Ave North
PO Box 2305
Stillwater MN 55082

Everyone needs a farmer according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Get to know your local farmer, Marshalls Farm Fresh Foods, Pioneer and Eden Prairie Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tms8ye8mw_k
 
September 15, 2009
USDA launches "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative

“We believe everyone needs a farmer,’’ said Ann Wright, deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And that includes the White House, too. Wright said creation of a farmer’s market to be located outside the presidential mansion would be announced Thursday.

“It’s a real symbol to the rest of the country that we care and are aware of what’s going on,’’ Wright said.

The undersecretary made her remarks before an audience of roughly 165 chefs, farmers, others in the food industry and journalists meeting for a two-day conference on the theme, “Bringing Sustainability to the Table.” The event is sponsored by the Boston-based Chefs Collaborative, a leading non-profit network of chefs fostering a sustainable food system.

“Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” is designed to support local and regional food systems, strengthening agriculture and thus triggering economic opportunities on a community level. Vilsack, in a video posted on You Tube, said the initiative is designed to start a national conversation on where food comes from and how it ends up on the plate.

Source: Chicago Tribune-

Photos of Marshall's produce taken by Victoria Pellar Price

http://www.prideoftheprairie.org/potp-old/seasonalfoodguide.htm

http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Seasonalfoodguides

FALL

VEGETABLES

FRUITS