The Gala apples this week come from Brad and Susie Buchart. Brad and Susie have been married for 20 years and have lived on their 35 acre farm for the last 15 years near Ephreta, Wash. Their three teenage children Dylan, Ross, and Heidi help out on the farm when not involved with sports. Dylan and Ross where on the Ephreta High School basketball team that won the State Championship in their division last year. Brad chose to farm organicaly several years ago because his home is next to the orchard and felt the health of his family was too important to compromise with the conventional sprays. Although Brad is responsible for growing their crop of Galas and cherries throughout the growing season, it is Susie who brings in the harvest each year while Brad is cutting hay.

Red Globe Grapes (EN) These Red Globes might be some of the most striking grapes of the season! They’re grown by the ever popular John France in Porterville, CA. Unlike most grapes you’ll find in the grocery store, which are bred to be seedless, these have seeds. You may wish to enjoy them the old fashioned way - seeds and all! These grapes will store for up to 7 days in cold storage; it is best to place them in the coldest part of the refrigerator.

Gala Apples (EP) are grown by Brad and Susie Buchart. You will find a bag of them in your box. See side bar for info on them. A superb dessert apple that is excellent for fresh eating and baking. Most Gala apples are yellow-gold with pink to red stripes, while some Gala strains may be nearly solid red. How about some Apple Kugel for the lunchbox? It is best to keep apples as cold as possible, so store them in the back of your refrigerator. Apples can last up to six weeks in the refrigerator.

Valencia Oranges (EN) are grown by Sunrise Produce in CA. Valencia oranges originated on the Iberian Peninsula and are the world’s most important commercial variety. Valencias are thin-skinned, nearly seedless, and excellent juicers whose juice doesn’t lose its vitamin C overnight in the refrigerator. Store oranges in a cool place outside the refrigerator and try to eat them within a few days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate in a plastic bag or in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator.

Starkrimson Pear (EP) - These bright red Biodynamic pears come from Mount Hood Organics. As it ripens, they may turn even brighter! This variety shares similar taste and texture to the Bartlett pears, but may have a more noticible floral note to its aroma and taste. Leave them out at room temperature and they will ripen in a few days to a week, depending on the maturity when delivered. Most pears show subtle changes in color as they ripen. If you choose to hold off the ripening process, the fruit should be refrigerated and will hold three to four weeks there until ready to ripen. Once ripe, a pear will not last much more than a couple of days, even in the refrigerator.

Warren Pears (EP) are from Frog Hollow in California. For those of you who think you don't like pears, you must try the Warren Pear. It's sweet as honey, juicy with smooth, soft texture. It's similar to a Comice but lacks the graininess that a Comice often has. It's great for baking but Frog Hollow suggests that they are best enjoyed with a glass of port and good Stilton. This unusual variety that originates in the South and Frog Hollow is one the few growers to have it. A must for pear lovers. A recipe for Roasted Warren Pears. See Starkrimson pear above for storage tips.

McIntosh Apple (EP) For many, the McIntosh apple is a harbinger of fall. The McIntosh is oblate in shape, with tart fine textured flesh. It has an enticing aroma and vivid red and green speckled skin. It is perfect for bag lunches, or making apple sauce - as it cooks up sweet and smooth. It is best to keep apples as cold as possible, so store them in the back of your refrigerator. Apples can last up to six weeks in the refrigerator.

Hass Avocados (EP) are grown by Stehly Farms in California. When the fruit yields to gentle finger pressure, it is ready to be eaten. Store at room temperature until ripe. Monitor daily to check for ripeness. Storing near other ethylene producers accelerates the ripening process and may result in rot if you don't watch closely enough. Joanne keeps them across the kitchen on a separate counter from other fruit. That seems to keep them from ripening too fast.