Hello, Food-lovers!  Welcome to the subscription menu of the West Philly Cultural Engine's COMMUNITY SUPPORTED KITCHEN!

** THIS IS A REGISTRATION FORM -- Through it you may subscribe to the CSK's menu of offerings this season.
You may also simply peruse the menu & learn more about the CSK.

---------------------------

If you have questions or would like more information, please visit culturalengine.strikingly.com...
or contact us at WestPhillyCSK@gmail.com

We help people connect with a passion for Life, through the shared experience of sourcing & preparing local, delicious food.  We plant the seeds of a more resilient world by sharing the skills & knowledge required to prepare amazing food, while investing in a local food system that nourishes deeply any place we call Home.

Our goods & services are grounded in the gift economy.  We offer the CSK because it a joy for us to do so -- and because we carry a sense of knowing that this kind of healing is both essential, and sadly, often in short supply in the world.  Yet, because things cost money in same said world, we offer our goods & services on a sliding-scale donation basis.  We also remain fueled by gratitude.

*SUNFLOWER ZA'ATAR* (v)
Za’atar is an ancestral spice blend from the Eastern Mediterranean.  Its pattern features organic sesame, sumac, & a pungent green herb called za-atar, although we use the more locally-available thyme.  We blend ours with sea salt, chili flakes, & toasted, sprouted, organic sunflower seeds for added body & protein.  It's perfect with olive oil over bread, rice, or porridge -- or taken, sparingly, on its own.  

sliding scale :: $4 - $10 -- per approx. 8 oz
# of servings :: 12 - 24


*ALLI-ZINGER PASTE* (v)
A pungent condiment, Alli-Zinger is a puree of fresh garlic, ginger, turmeric, with olive oil & sea salt.  Drawing its name from the Allium plant genus that offers the world garlic, and the Zingiberaceae plant family that offers the world ginger & turmeric, this powerful combination of immune-supporters adds brightness to anything with which it is paired.  Best kept raw for maximum immune support, but delicious always.

sliding scale :: $7 - $14 -- approx. 8 oz
# of servings :: 8 - 12


*SUNFLOWER CRUMBLE'* (v)
Made from organic toasted sunflower seeds, herbs, spices, & sea salt, this crumbly topping adds seriously savory notes anywhere you'd look to sprinkle or grate cheese.  It is designed to be the cheese when you need it to be, and to supplement dairy cheese if you want to add more plant proteins & bright flavors to your dishes.

sliding scale :: $5 - $10  --  per approx. 8 oz serving
# of servings :: dozens


*GOMASIO* (v)
An ancient Japanese salty, savoury condiment that offers the tastes & vital nutrients of toasted sesame seeds, sea salt, and spirulina or sea vegetables.

sliding scale :: $5 - $10  --  per approx. 8 oz serving
# of servings :: dozens

*MAYONNAISE*

Homemade mayonnaise is simply out of this world. Made with high quality eggs, sunflower oil, olive oil, mustard, garlic, vinegar, and spices, our mayo will add a smooth & delicious tang to pretty much anything you're eating.

sliding scale :: $4-9 -- per 8 oz  

*HUMMUS* (v)
Hummus is the shared name offered to the chick pea in both Arabic & Hebrew.  Hummus builds strong bodies and delights the senses.  Our Hummus subscription is an exploration of the chick pea -- in many flavors, & myriad guises -- from Fae who LOVE the chick pea.

sliding scale :: $5 - $10  --  approx. 12 oz serving


*LABNEH*
Labneh is a sumptuous, probiotic, homemade yogurt-based cream cheese originating in the Eastern Mediterranean. We drain yogurt (from grass-fed cows) of its whey, and then mix in olive oil, sea salt, and other various seasonings as we feel moved -- or as you request (e.g. chili oregano, za'atar sunflower, rosemary bay, and more!). Labneh is excellent with bread, and also makes a rich & bright addition to any savory meal.

sliding scale :: $4 - 9 - per half pint


*BONE BROTHS*
Our bone broths come from the long-simmered bones of grass-fed locally-sourced animals (most commonly beef, lamb or chicken). These broths are rich, smooth, utterly delicious, and full of deep, deep nourishment for our bodies. They add depth & flavor to almost any savoury dish, can easily transform leftovers into delicious soup, and of course can also be enjoyed by the steaming cup-full to fortify your constitution.

sliding scale :: $5 - $10 -- approx. 32 oz
# of servings :: 2 - 3


*FERMENTS* (v)
From our faemily sauerkraut & kimchi, to other lacto-fermented pickles, to ogi (a fermented millet porridge that pairs beautifully with all of the above), the CSK's ferments are great ways to get more nutrient dense, bioavailable foods into your body.    

sliding scale :: $5 - $13 -- per quart
# of servings :: 4 - 8
             

*HOUSE SPICE* (v)
An opening, aromatic, fresh blend of organic spices/seeds that includes coriander, fennel, chili flakes, caraway, dill, pink himalayan sea salt, & thyme.

sliding scale :: $3 - $7  --  per approx. 2 oz serving
# of servings :: dozens

*FRESH HERB SALTS* (v)
A transcendent variation on sea salt, our herb salts bring forth an ancient method of herb preservation.  Harvested at their peak from our neighborhood gardens, fresh herbs are pulverized with sea salt into a shelf stable vehicle that heightens flavors, adds electrolytes to your drinking water, and brings the magic of herbs to your life often in ways not before considered.

Herbs will vary with the season.  Feel free to request any you please.  

sliding scale :: $2 - 5 -- per 4 ounces

Let us know if you want more than 4 ounces.  

*SEASONING SALT* (v)
This spice blend emerged from a collaboration with our friends at Tot's Hot Sauce, who were looking for an all natural version of the classic Lowry's seasoning salt blend. We were ultimately delighted with the smoky, savory, salty seasoning created as a result, and are excited to share it with our CSK subscribers! It offers instant umami to meats, vegetables, eggs, popcorn, & more.

sliding scale :: $3-7 per 4 ounces

*POPCORN EXTRAVAGANZA* (v)
This is a delicious olive oil-laced, spirulina-colored, nutritional yeast-enhanced, black pepper-spiked, truffle-scented, house-spiced eating extravaganza.

sliding scale :: $5 - $12  --  one gallon bag


*CUSTOM POPCORN* (vegan options available)
Almost everyone who has tasted Popcorn Extravaganza knows why it gets special billing on this menu.  And, frankly, most of our popcorn creations get rave reviews.  Wanna share with us your popcorn inspiration, or invite us to surprise you with a creation of our in the moment design?

sliding scale :: $5 - $12  --  one gallon bag


*GLACIAL CHOCOLATE FANTASY* (v)
This is a recipe that Acorn created that has become a comforting & delightful staple in our refrigerator.  Simple and sublime, with opportunity to customize high notes, we melt cocoa powder into coconut oil, sweeten with maple, and then adorn with a varying palette of flavors & textures -- rose water with mint oil is a strong favorite to the one of us whose profile  that matches exactly.  Other flavors include mint, nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew ...), cashew & raisin, vanilla & sour cherry, orange blossom, and more. Feel free to make a request or let us surprise you.

sliding scale :: $6 - $12  --  per approx. 4 oz serving
# of servings :: 2 - 4


*SESAME FENNEL BALLS*
These honey-sweetened energy bites are vehicles of deep, delicious nourishment.  We’re still exploring the pattern here, so your ongoing feedback as we refine the recipe is especially invited.  Additionally, for those exploring a path of herbal transition (MTF especially), these treats are naturally-rich with phyto-estrogens, and therefore provide hormonal support & balance on that road.
*To learn more about herbal transition (MTF), see the zine Wild Transition -- A Trans Woman Way to Nourish Ourselves with Herbs & Magic by Josephine Parker (Voyager) at wildtransition.com/wild-transition

sliding scale :: $6-14 -- per 6 balls

*DOSA BATTER* (v)
Dosas are a staple of South India.  These thin, delicious, savory crepes, made from a fermented batter of rice & lentils, are the daily bread of many South Indians, where wheat will not easily grow.  The CSK makes available its ‘house-spice’-laced dosa batter -- (not the prepared breads) to its subscribers in 1 quart containers.  

To prepare dosas at home you will need a large, non-stick skillet, or a *beautifully seasoned* pan.

sliding scale :: $4 - $10 -- per 1 quart

*WHOLE WHEAT SOURDOUGH BREAD* (v)
A generous loaf of crusty sourdough bread, made from a mixture of cultures harvested in our home and a starter gifted to us that has been journeying around Philly for over 30 years. Sourdough bread is pre-digested by the culture, and hence is easier for our bodies to assimilate & absorb.  This bread usually comes sliced and frozen to ensure maximum freshness (simply toast to serve), though fresh bread is possible if requested with sufficient notice.

sliding scale :: $5 - 9 per loaf

*GLUTEN FREE SOURDOUGH BREAD* (v)
A hearty and delicious loaf of sourdough bread, made with brown rice flour, corn flour, garbanzo flour, & a variety of seeds. This shockingly good vegan, gluten free bread surprises skeptics with its yumminess and delights those with gluten-free diets. This loaf usually comes sliced and frozen to ensure maximum freshness (simply toast to serve), though fresh bread is possible if requested with sufficient notice.

sliding scale :: $8-12 per loaf

*NOODLE SOUP KIT* (vegan option available)
The kit includes:  
Bone broth (3 quarts) -- Vegetarian broths also available!
Seasonal vegetables (~1 quart)
Package of rice noodles (enough to make 3, 2-servings batches of soup)
Seaweed (~1/4 +1/8 cup)

Six large servings of soup make amazing breakfasts, lunches or dinners.  Each one ready with minimal effort -- in under 15 minutes. Recipe pattern included.

sliding scale :: $17 - $30  
# of servings :: 5 - 7

*RED BEANS* (v)
A soft, savory, DELICIOUS New Orleans-style red beans.  These plus rice equals a solid, vegan dinner.

sliding scale :: $6 - 13 per quart


*FUL MEDAMES* (v)
A deep, savory fava bean stew. The national breakfast of Egypt, this vegan & gluten free meal has nourished civilizations for thousands of years.  Classically served with bread, you may enjoy ful on its own or with your starch of choice.  This is the dish we hear most often touted as the one that could help them most be vegan.

sliding scale :: $7 - 14 per quart

*RED LENTIL DAL* (v)
A Pan-Indian (and pan-globe) favorite, this bright & nourishing dish is both light & filling.  Serve this delicious vegan & gluten free fare on its own, over rice, or with a beloved bread.

sliding scale :: $7 - 14 per quart

*ENTRÉE OF THE DAY* (vegan options available)
We're always cooking up something at the CSK ... get a delicious taste of whatever hearty creations have emerged from the kitchen.

sliding scale :: $6 - 14 per quart (exact quantity varies)

*VEGETABLE OF THE DAY* (vegan options available)
We are blessed by frequent gifts of very special vegetables - those nourishing allies who are a little bruised or funny-shaped or even too perfectly ripe for a grocery store to sell. Enjoy the variety of lovingly prepared vegetables that journey through our kitchen.

sliding scale :: $5 - 11 -- quantity varies  

*ROSE CEREAL* (v)
An evolving & adaptable blend of seeds, superfoods, & dried fruit.  Just add water (or milk of your choice) & maple or honey to sweeten as you like.  Let sit overnight.  Enjoy in the morning.

sliding scale :: $7 - 15
# of servings :: 5 - 8

*FIRE CIDER* (v)
This fiery concoction is a blend of medicinal plants (hot peppers, onions, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, hardy citrus, & more) steeped in apple cider vinegar. You receive the strained vinegar, which is filled with the medicinal properties & delicious flavors of the plants. Take a dropper-ful to boost the immune system and wake up the senses.

sliding scale :: $4 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*MINT ELIXIR*
A smooth & delicious honey-sweetened elixir. Mint transports us to better digestion & the magic of the Mint Realm. Take a dropper-ful or three as desired, after a big meal, or to soothe a troubled stomach.

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*YELLOW DOCK TINCTURE* (v)
A medicine plant of north temperate meadows with long yellow roots, Yellow Dock is a potent antioxidant & digestive aid.  It stimulates bile production, which eases the digestion of fats, and also stimulates toxin & waste elimination.  Take a dropper-ful or three to boost your digestive & elimination systems.  

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*GINGER DANDELION ELIXIR*
A sweet & warming honey-sweetened elixir of ginger & dandelion root. This elixir boasts the medicinal properties of ginger (anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, stimulant) and dandelion (strengthens the liver, spleen, & heart). Take a dropper-ful or three to settle the stomach, wake up the senses, & strengthen your system.  

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*JAPANESE KNOTWEED TINCTURE* (Fallopia japonica) (v)
A renowned & effective *Lyme disease remedy*.  Ours is wildcrafted in Vermont.
It is considered to be the most effective herbal way to lower, or even eliminate Lyme disease and its symptoms.  It supports the innate immune function to react to the infection caused by the Lyme disease.  It kills the spirochetes that are found in difficult-to-reach areas by enhancing the blood flow and also helps other drugs to be more effective.  
(Description above from :: http://everyhomeremedy.com/)
Recommended dosing :: 1 dropperful, 5x per day.

sliding scale :: $3 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*ROSE HIP ELIXIR*
A honey-sweet & beautiful journey into the divine feminine magic of rose hips. One to three dropper-fuls offer a soaring floral note to your world.

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*HAWTHORN ELIXIR*
Our double extraction Hawthorn Elixir is a truly magical creation. For millennia it has been renowned for it's sacred properties, and for being a home to the Fae. In addition to offering a dose of faery magic, it also strengthens the physical heart (improves circulation & cardiovascular function) and the emotional heart (especially good for boundaries, given the Hawthorn tree's sizeable thorns).

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*BLUE VERVAIN* (v)
Blue Vervain is a potent mint-family plant that offers grounding & awesome nervous system support.  Upon meeting this plant in a meadow, it called to Frances Rose like a banner at a rally.  And upon repeated meetings of its medicine, again for Frances Rose, it seems to have the reliable effect of dropping her knee to the Earth in release & humility.  

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*SKULLKAP* (v)
Just pressed & bottled, this Skullcap medicine has lent potent support to dream time at the House of the Pink Panther.  Think of Skullcap as a warm, gentle sleep aid, and relaxant.  It helps Frances Rose get back to sleep in the middle of the night, and may be similarly helpful in a host of other insomnia patterns. It can also be used to sooth an anxious mind or nervous system.

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*FENNEL ELIXIR*
Fennel is so much!  Lifting.  Freshening.  Invigorating.  Wit-sharpening -- lending its magic to memory, focus, and knowledge.  It’s (en)lightening.  Clearing.  A digestif.  More… a bravery medicine -- heart-strengthening, leaning in -- growing into valor, strength, and confidence.  An aphrodisiac.  Stimulates milk flows.  Quells hunger.  There is an undeniable fabulousness about fennel -- a boldness, a fruitiness.  Its flamboyance & flavor has in some circles become synonymous with queerness.  And its powers of protection have long been in the service of landed folk.  This elixir is a honey-sweetened double extraction of all of this magic!  Come & get your love!

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*COFFEE TINCTURE* (v)
Fairly traded beans from Coffee’s native range (the Ethiopian highlands) have been tinctured & lightly sweetened, with Vermont Maple syrup, to make a delicious, relatively light pick-me-up.  When a whole cuppa is clearly not the thing (nor perhaps practical), consider this a friend in your bag -- or your glove compartment!

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*ROSEMARY LAVENDER SPRAY* (v)
This refreshing medicine, made with purified water & essential oils of rosemary & lavender, can be used as a room or body spray, to promote focus & clarity. The anti-microbial properties of the rosemary also make this a wonderful natural hand sanitizer.

sliding scale :: $5 - 10 per 2 oz dropper bottle

*MILKY OATS TINCTURE* (v)
'Oat… nourishes depleted nervous systems.  Think brain butter.  Think a tool to ease exhaustion and burnout.’  
‘I felt a calm similar to what I feel in meditation or at moments when I am fully present, where time falls away.  The strain of the moment- that feeling of sheer overwhelm- dissolved.  I was able to breathe.  I was able to draw my attention away from my stress and settle down, look around my living room, at my cat.  I felt OK again.’  
The yields of this beautiful, community medicine project are still with us.  The CSK has more Milky Oats medicine to ease your overwhelmed mind & heart.  The spirit & central ethic of this project remains making this medicine freely available.  Reach out for yours!  Also welcoming folks to return their empty bottles to be refilled!

Freely gifted! Comes in a 1 oz dropper bottle

*COCOA DREAM BUTTER* (v) (from Owl Rare @ Wanderlust Skincare: adventureswithowl.com/wanderlust-skincare)
Add a dime size amount to hands and apply to dry skin, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, itchy skin & more! Coconut oil heals dry skin to bring out your natural glow.  Raw cocoa butter is full of antioxidants that right off free radicals, nourishing the skin. Intended for all body use. What's inside: *Cocoa Butter, *Shea butter, *Unrefined Coconut Oil, *Calendula Flowers, *Beeswax, Love (*Organic/raw)

sliding scale :: $15 - 25 per 4 oz jar

*MINT SPECIAL* (v)
Our gardens are simply *bursting* with vibrant mint. Sometimes we dry it (for tea). Sometimes we decoct it to create a wholesome herbal remedy for digestive health. And sometimes we craft a savory mint-sunflower seed pesto! Want to join us for a holiday to the Mint Realm?

sliding scale :: $4 - 9 - quantity varies

We want to know if you don’t see something on this menu that you seek.  
We wish to acknowledge at the outset here that not everything can be a CSK subscription item.  Truly, it takes many intersectional virtues to make it on this list.  And! we know we can’t have thought of them all already -- and trust that a community supported kitchen must listen & respond to subscriber feedback!  Tell us please, what food or medicine would add vitality, depth & nourishment to your day-to-day?  Thank you <3

If you selected WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY, or UPON REQUEST ::

We ask that you offer an initial donation that covers *three* of each item you've subscribed to, as per the Community Supported model, in which your up-front investment supports us in producing beautiful food to nourish you! We then track your pick-ups and notify you when it’s time to re-subscribe to another cycle (you will also be able to view your pick-ups & donation details in a shared spreadsheet).  Your donation may be cash, check (made out to Angie Swiggum), Venmo (@Angie-Swiggum), CashApp ($wildRoseAcorn) or PayPal to angie.swiggum@gmail.com (please *do not* select that you're paying for goods or services).

For example, if you have subscribed to just house spice ($3-7), your initial donation will be $9-21. If you are subscribed to both house spice ($3-7) and ferments ($5-13), your initial donation will be $24-60.

At your first pick up, you receive one of each item you’ve subscribed to. You then receive one more of each item weekly, bi-weekly, or upon request (whichever you selected for each item). Once you’ve picked up three of an item, we’ll let you know it’s time to resubscribe (i.e. donate for three more of that item).

If you selected ONE-TIME ::

You will pay for and pick up one of each item for which you selected "One-Time", once. If you love the items and are financially able to subscribe to rounds of three pick-ups in the future, please do! If you want to keep trying single pick-ups of items and/or single orders are better for your life & money flows, then you are welcome to order in this way.

***

Please get in touch if this donation structure doesn't work for you, and we'll do our best to figure out how to support you in accessing awesome food in a way that fits with your money & food flows. We are open to bartering - feel free to make a proposal! While we cannot currently accept EBT directly, ask us about purchasing pantry staples for us with your food stamps, and then donating these in exchange for CSK subscription items. Please note that there are also ample opportunities to cook with us and go home with food, and that we offer FREE FOOD to queer & trans people of color.

We provide all the containers for your subscription items, including plastic take out containers, glass jars, & medicine dropper bottles. You offer a one-time $10 deposit to help us cover the cost of containers, and return your empty containers to us to refill. Your dedication to returning containers helps us keep prices affordable and is good for the Earth. Thank you!

Pick Up Your Food.  Please.

In the end, you are responsible to take your food & medicine Home.  Right now, there are three community pick-up points --  Studio 34 on weekdays; Meditation (2401 Pennsylvania Ave) on Monday evenings; and at our home (1220 S 51st St), almost any time.  Our goal is to work together with you to establish food flows & pick-up days that work beautifully for your life and for the CSK.  

We recognize that we can reach more people through adding additional pick up locations! The process of creating additional pick-up points includes suggesting receptive locations, and showing that at least three people will use it to pick up their items, and that the location is able to hold them in cold storage (for those items that need it) until they are picked up.  Making your home a pick up location is a great way to get CSK items delivered straight to your door!!

Depending on the situation (perishability of the food, fullness of the fridge, needs of the pick-up location, etc.), we may have to give away or otherwise use items that are not picked up at the arranged time & place.

If you feel financial resources might keep you from participating in the kitchen, please be in touch.  Helping in the kitchen is an easy way to go home with food. We are also open to exchanging food for whatever items, skills, or services you may have to offer the kitchen. The Kitchen hosts open food processing sessions about once per week.  Let us know if you would like to receive weekly emails with up-to-date food processing times. As always, let us know if you intend to come, as our schedules are subject to change. 732.306.8400 or WestPhillyCSK@gmail.com. Also, the CSK offers FREE FOOD to queer & trans people of color!

We will reach out to all subscribers individually, to solidify details.  That said...

<3 We demonstrate & actualize a system of eating & sharing food that heals the planet, and raises the collective health of our shared communities.

<3 We provide delicious, nourishing, righteously-sourced food -- & share the wherewithal for anyone to make it at home.

<3 We share, celebrate & educate around regenerative food cultures & practices.

<3 The space serves as a hub to connect our intersecting communities -- as we explore the potential of living systems to self-organize, and add value to our interconnecting lives.

<3 We co-create a collaborative atmosphere & feel, each of us, empowered to make the space fit ​each of ​our needs & desires -- as we grow together a learning & playing environment that feels relevant to our lives.

<3 We co-create a space that is nourishing to our bodies, minds, and spirits.

<3 We co-create a growing vision of and toward a Faerie Ca’Fae & store-front in West Philly -- and practice working together toward common goals.

<3 We create opportunities for abundance & capital in many forms to flow amongst all involved.

<3 We gather in the financial abundance we need to sustain the CSK and to support our lives and work.

 
*******