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Home > Should I join Farmer Jim's CSA this year?

Should I join Farmer Jim's CSA this year?

February 1st, 2014 at 10:05 pm

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.

8 Responses to “Should I join Farmer Jim's CSA this year?”

  1. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1391293741

    Giving your garden a break from the pests might be worth an extra fee for good produce. One year I left my veggie garden fallow because of the overwhelming bean beetles, flea beetles, and squash bugs. Actually I surface sowed a lot of nigella, zinnia, marigolds, and cosmos, dill, and fennel, without any soil turning. Then I did not fret about weeds at all. It looked very country casual, charming. It broke the bug problem!

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1391294684

    Do you like all the veggies on his list? Can you think of dishes/ways you would use them - especially if there was a large amount of one type of veggie? It sounds like it won't be *only* veggies, that there is some fruit as well. The list of vegetables sounds pretty good to me with a couple exceptions and a few I wouldn't be sure what to do with... If you fill half your plate with veggies, then I think this could make for a pretty good deal. Smile

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1391295869

    I think it seems like a very good deal for local organic produce.

  4. PatientSaver Says:
    1391296394

    Good idea, Joan. I've been trying to think of what I could grow there that's not prone to insect pests or that i haven't grown much of in the past. Maybe corn? Maybe pea pods and peas. Maybe more herbs.

    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.

  5. Another Reader Says:
    1391299370

    A half share seems like a lot for one person. Does he give any indication of the quantity? Can you freeze what you can't use that week?

    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.

  6. wisewoman Says:
    1391304781

    I love my local organic delivery service. I can choose all veggies or a mix of fruit/veggies. I can check the website to see (in advance_ what is being delivered for my scheduled week. I can opt out (skip) if it doesn't work for me.

    I only wish I could afford weekly delivery. The produce is outstanding.

  7. My English Castle Says:
    1391339202

    I really like supporting your local farmer. I think you made the right decision, even if it costs a bit more. There are some things that are not about immediate bottom line, right? Plus having all those wonderful veggies would help keep your goals on track?

  8. snafu Says:
    1391528971

    There are some things that are worth paying a bit more. Excellent eggs and produce from a grower that is know is terrific. I agree you should adjust your vegetarian diet to suit you specifically. I hope you'll journal your experience, noting how you feel and whether this affects internal organs sleeping, skin, nails, hair etc. in a particular way.

    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

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