I am seriously considering signing up for a "half share" of the local organic farmer's CSA produce this growing season. I mean, I just committed to 100% vegetarian eating a few weeks ago and what could be better: I've got an ORGANIC farmer right here IN TOWN. (The farm is very close to the school where the tragic shooting took place.)
What do you think of the prices?
Full Shares: pick up every Wednesday from June 25th till November 12th - $565.00
Half Shares: pick up every Sunday from June 29th till November 16th - $420.00
Here is a list of crops he's growing this season:
*Cherry Tomatoes *Heirloom Tomatoes
*Beefsteak Tomatoes *Watermelon
*Beans *Kale
*Swiss Chard *Lettuce
*Summer and winter squash *Scallions
*Leeks *Beets
*Radishes *Celery
*Bok choi *Peppers
*Eggplant *Basil
*Green and Napa Cabbage *Cucumbers
*Garlic *Potatoes
*Sweet potatoes
From his email: We hope to include our fresh eggs at least twice a month in the shares provided the hens are laying well. We will also include our non organic sweet corn and fruit (mainly apples and possibly peaches and nectarines depending on there availability.) You can opt out of the non organic produce by letting us know when you send in your check.
The half share would work well because the pick-up date is Sunday so I could do that whether or not I was working. I'm just wondering how his prices compare overall if I chose to buy organic in the supermarket. I'm sure his produce is superior in quality and freshness.
I have purchased eggs (very excellent) and some limited produce from him in the past. No complaints at all but I suspect his prices may be on the high side. He needs to make a living.
It's just that $420 sounds like a lot for just veggies, but it is for the entire season and it IS organic and about as local as I could get except if I grew my own. I will likely have a garden this year, but it is on the small side and I can't grow tomatoes, peppers, squashes or cucumbers this year because of the insect infestations. They talk about the need to rotate crops, which I can't do, but I can just try to content myself with growing something else so that whatever population of insect pests has developed because of my annual tomatoes, they should pretty much disappear when I don't grow tomatoes this year. At least that's my hope. I may try some dwarf cherry tomatoes in pots, if I can find them.
I'm not really sure how much produce I'll get each week from the CSA; it SHOULD be plenty given that I'm a family of one.
I need to decide very soon because he has limited shares available and he completely sold out my March last year.
Just got back from a nice lunch with another "bachelor." We actually enjoyed some pretty good conversation. It helps that we share some of the same political views; he comes from a very political family in Westchester County with an uncle who was mayor in Yonkers and also served as the state's lieutenant governor. He's also very active, outdoorsy and seems to have lots of different networks of friends (this could be a problem with me as I'm much more of a one on one kinda of person and prefer to do things with my sign other rather groups all the time. He just retired less than a year ago, so I'm quite jealous. He's off on a ski trip tomorrow up to Vermont but we agreed to get together again, possibly for a walk, weather permitting. He drives a Prius. The thing I like most about him is that he's pretty intelligent. He also likes reading and arthouse movies, just like me. Now if I could only persuade him into getting a KAYAK, we'd really be all set.
Should I join Farmer Jim's CSA this year?
February 1st, 2014 at 10:05 pm
February 1st, 2014 at 10:29 pm 1391293741
February 1st, 2014 at 10:44 pm 1391294684
February 1st, 2014 at 11:04 pm 1391295869
February 1st, 2014 at 11:13 pm 1391296394
I've written the check out! It mails on Monday!
I noticed he mentioned eggs would be included. I did love his eggs, but i wasn't going to include them in my new diet. I might have to make an exception for half the year. I don't think he wants to get involved in letting people pick and choose among vegetables, aside from the few non organic things he will have. So i might have to pass on the nectarines and corn since i definitely won't eat non organic apples and peaches. I'm putting my preferences in a note with the check, and we'll see what happens.
I have lately been eating things I know are good for me but didn't eat much of in the past (like beets, kale, leeks) so I think I could find a way to use whatever I got from that list. But it would be a challenge to be ready to eat whatever I got.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:02 am 1391299370
If a half share is correct, is there anyone you could go in with on a full share and then split it? The cost savings would be significant.
February 2nd, 2014 at 01:33 am 1391304781
I only wish I could afford weekly delivery. The produce is outstanding.
February 2nd, 2014 at 11:06 am 1391339202
February 4th, 2014 at 03:49 pm 1391528971
I think this new step offers opportunities to prepare items in different ways and internet offers nearly endless choice. Is there a Hungarian style way to serve Kale? which smoothies do you like best...for example