I recently joined an organic produce co-op.

[wildeyed]

So far it is a really good deal. Each week I get an email with what is included in my weekly produce box. If there is something I don't want or something I want extra of, I indicate that. A few days later, a lovely box of organic produce appears on my doorstep. I am not paying significantly more than I would for conventionally raised produce, and so far everything has been very fresh, very high quality.

I am just mentioning this in case anyone else is trying to go organic and having problems finding a good produce supplier 'cause you might have a similar service in your area. Here is a link to mine. http://www.theabsoluteorganics.com/

[NMDemDist2]

1. this is a new co-op?

didn't you try one last year too? and weren't real pleased?

it sounds like such a great fit for you and the family, keep us posted :bounce:

[wildeyed]

2. Last year was a CSA.

Community Supported Agriculture. I paid a set fee and got a share of the produce from a local farm for the season. Great idea, but unfortunately, the guy running it didn't do a great job. We didn't get much variety, and the shares were small, even accounting for weather and pests.

This new group purchases organic produce wholesale from a variety of sources, packages it, then drops it off at your doorstep.

I would prefer to get local produce, but Absolute Organics runs year round, and it is reliable and well run. I like it better than grocery store produce, and the price is very reasonable considering the product and service you get.

[NMDemDist2]

3. I got a subscription to the little tiny paper in the new town

printed Sundays, Tuesday - Fridays only :rofl:

their local market has some great produce prices AND they have the health food store deliver from Tucson twice a month

their two biggest agricultural prodcuts are Pecans and peppers :bounce:

I think I love this town already :loveya:

[wildeyed]

4. You will have to develop many new pecan/pepper recipes.

I actually considered making maple/pecan fried chicken breast tonight. :9

[eleny]

5. I saw the pic you posted in the Lounge - It sure is cute!

How did you settle on Artesia?

[NMDemDist2]

7. we wanted clear skies, warm weather and water

so that cut out the SE, NW, Midwest and NE. Hubby hates humidity so we knew the four corners states were the key

then I just started researching

we're taking a road trip in April before it's solid, but it looks good so far


Edit to add, it will entail a monthly trip to Costco though, the only "big" store is a Wally World :puke:

[eleny]

8. If I know you...

You'll find some Costco buddies in Artesia and have a nice trip over to save gas and make it a fun day. and I bet there's some great thrift shops right near the Costco. You have that kind of great luck we all enjoy reading about!

[eleny]

6. There's one here in Colorado

Not an Absolute Organics one but the menu of fruits and veggies looks pretty good. I'm going to do some comparison shopping with what's available at the local health food market and our Soopers. They also carry organic produce. I'd like to find more stuff that comes right to the door.

Hmmmm... Our local dairy delivery has a lot of good stuff. I wonder how close one can come these days to cut way down on shopping trips?
Milk, juice, bread, eggs, cheese and butter from the dairy delivery
Beef and other organic meats delivered from the ranches
Produce from the organic delivery place

It could start feeling like 1952 around here.

[wildeyed]

9. Perfect!

I would like a dairy delivery, too.

Everyone here who cares about food goes to the farmer's market on Saturday. It is one of the few foodie friendly places in my city. But I am soooo lazy. I like to drink coffee, dink around on the DU, read the paper and wear my bathrobe until noon on Saturdays, not go shopping with two hyper little kids.

[mandyky]

10. Does organic mean

not using pesicides and "commercial" fertilizer?

[wildeyed]

11. The produce is "certified organic".

No pesticides, chemical fertilizers and whatever else is involved to get the "certified" label. There has been some effort by agri-business to weaken organic standards, but so far they have not succeeded, at least last I heard..