Skip to content

CSA 2008

You may recall that last year we participated in a local CSA for the first time. We really enjoyed the experience but some things with that one didn’t work out well for us. For one, it was really out of the way from where we work and live. For another, a lot of the vegetables were pretty “out there” and, while I enjoy trying new things, it got to be quite a challenge to come up with ways to cook and eat things I’d never heard of before.

We were all set to sign up again, though, when I discovered that a new CSA had opened in our area. Not only do I drive by this place twice a day going to and from work but they operate a farm stand where I’ve stopped many times before for flowers and vegetables. In fact, last year I sent them an email asking if they would consider operating a CSA. I got a very polite response saying that they thought their customers preferred to choose their own vegetables but that they would look into the possibility. Turns out that little email of mine was the catalyst for this year’s program. How ’bout that?

I picked up our first share on my way home from work Friday.

local_lettuce.jpg
We got a huge head of lettuce and a bag of the most delicate and delicious field greens.

strawberries.jpg
Strawberries.

spinach.jpg
A bunch of spinach.

radishes.jpg
And radishes.

There was also a jar of their own popcorn and they let me choose some live plants as part of this week’s share, too.

I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.

This Post Has 33 Comments

  1. Good going! Those strawberries look great! Hopefully strawberries will be making their appearance up here soon too.

  2. Lucky you for having something so wonderful so close to home! I bet those strawberries were amazing.

  3. Oh, I could just eat those radishes up right now – with a little butter and salt on plain white bread. I’ll bet there are some locals very happy with you!

  4. Whoa, FABULOUS! I have an interest in an eggs/meat/poultry CSA, since I have zero need for vegetables. I am going to look into it, though we are such a small family of two that it might not be any more economical than just buying the local meats at the local co-op.

  5. I am glad that you all support the farming industry. We grow a lot of our own food and freeze and can most of it. People do not always appreciate where their food comes from. I can also see that they do not have the bug problems like we do down here……lucky:)

  6. That’s so fantastic that you got them started! I hope it works out well for them. I think one of the best things about a CSA is that you are helping the farmers stay in business – they’re guaranteed income even in years that aren’t that great. It’s a small risk for the consumer, but well worth it IMO. I grow most of my own veggies now, but if I didn’t, I would definitely still be using the CSA. I don’t mind having a few things that I don’t use or like – I just give those away to someone else.

  7. Lucky! The long winter and late spring here means our CSA won’t start for at least two weeks–unusually late. I can’t wait for fresh greens. Yum.

  8. Wonderful! I’m envious – I really wanted to buy a share in a CSA this year, but spousal objections prevailed…

  9. Your new CSA seems wonderful! Way to go Carole, for speaking up! Think about how many people are enjoying this great new CSA because of the seed you planted. So cool.

    My CSA starts this week, and I couldn’t be more excited. This is the first year we’ve done one, and I’m really hoping it works out…

  10. We participated in a CSA once and felt the same way. Plenty of odd vegetables… This new one of yours sounds perfect!

  11. We don’t have one close to home either…it would be so nice if we did…but, I do go to the local farmers market every week.

  12. I am soooooooo green with envy! We hoped to participate (a friend and I, with a split share) and as newbies to it, were on the “list” for openings…we didn’t get in! 🙁

    So I’m still doing the drive-by of my farmer’s market as there’s still no stand nearby.

    What beautiful produce!
    (((Hugs)))

  13. That all looks so yummy. I wonder if we have a CSA in our area (although I don’t know how practicable it would be with my dietary restrictions).

  14. I love our local CSA. He calls it a “harvest box” and every tuesday night we get an e-mail that lets us know what’s in the box for friday and then we just do a quick sign up if we want it, no obligation and quite a value at $14. Much better than grocery veggies and no pesticides and less than a mile from the house. Sometimes there are “odd” veggies, but he always includes a couple recipes for those things. Today I am making leek and potato soup with some of the goodies 🙂

    Yay for you getting them to ponder starting up a CSA – it’s the best way to go.

  15. I’m so glad you spoke up last year and that this CSA will work out better for you. However, I am also bitter, jealous and hungry now.

    XO

  16. I joined a CSA this year thanks to the knitting blogs. I had never heard of it before last summer and quickly got myself on the list for 2008. We have had 3 shares so far and I am loving it! It is a learning experience just cooking with fresh foods. Sad I know. I’m a tad jealous of those berries though. I’ll muddle through knowing there will be grapes this year.

  17. Hi Carol — I’m a lurker on your blog mostly for the knitting, but oh my, your gardening photos are wonderful

    I’m tagging you (see this small tag stuff on my blog
    http://fibersandtravel.blogspot.com/) but also see that you have a sidebar “100 things about me.” Great!

    I assume you’re on Ravelry?
    Maryjo

  18. Great deal! The best CSA around here is a half hour plus drive in a direction I never go. They do theirs in shares that you can spend in their farm store, where they also have cheese and meat. But the drive (and the time involved) would make this a real chore. Glad you found one that works.

  19. We’ve been looking around for CSAs but oddly they are in short supply down here. There’s a residential one, and then the possibility of one for next year. I’ve got my fingers crossed – your strawberries look delicious!

  20. THAT is gorgeous produce! The CSAs around here have found their customers prefer flexibility in the length of the share (3, 6, 9, 12 months), but (after a bit of education) are happy with the seasonal variety in the share and even become fierce defenders of eating seasonally. It’s definitely an idea whose time has come.

Comments are closed.

Back To Top