So I just got an email back from a Community Supported Agriculture farm

[wildeyed]

I am double posting this from the Cooking Forum, but I thought it would fit here, too.

CSA's are local farms that supply directly to consumers. So basically, I will pay a set fee each week for produce. The farm then selects what I get based on availability. For $5 extra dollars, they will deliver, too!

The benefits are threefold: better politically by putting money directly in the pockets of local farmers, better health wise putting better quality food in my family's tummies and better ecologically, no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. I thought the price I was quoted was really reasonable for organic produce, I guess because we are cutting out the middleman. Anyway, here's a quote from the email.....


snip....

All of the vegetables are grown by organic methods and I strive to have a huge variety. Some things we grow are heirloom tomato varieties from the 19th century, patty pan squash, zucchini, standard tomato, sweet salad tomato, sweet and white potatoes, peppers, kale, spinach, mustard greens, okra, straight neck squash, strawberries, figs, blueberries, possibly black berries, garlic, melons, and the list goes on. Of course, the menu changes with season. You will be supplied an abundance of these vegetables and some substitutions are allowed. Usually you will go home with at least 1 and 1/2 to 2 grocery bags packed full.

snip...

I think I am going to do this. Anyone else subscribe to a CSA? It sounds so yummy, I can hardly wait for spring!

Here is the database for CSA farms. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/csastate.htm

[crispini]

1. Wow, I found one in my area!

That's unusual. So I wrote them for more info--- we'll see what comes out!

[NMDemDist2]

2. i wrote the guy in my town, we'll see what comes back :-) n/t

[kslib]

3. How sad!

None in Kansas that serve anywhere close to me! Odd, that an ag. state only has these close to our biggest city. :shrug:

I always find it interesting that my state, which relies so much on the land, is always so against the environment/environmental policies.

[One_of_8]

4. Thanks for the link!

I found two local CSA's in my area to choose from, and I have signed up for both fresh veggies and fruits. I told them I found them through DU :)

[One_of_8]

6. Hmmm - customer service not the best so far

Well, I did try to sign up for a local CSA on Monday, but I had a couple questions, so I left a message on their phone. As of Wed afternoon, no return call so I've left another message. Either they have more customers than they want, or maybe too busy to return my call, but either way it is slightly annoying to try to do something sustainable and then get stalled at the get go.

[wildeyed]

7. I emailed three in my area.

One got back to me right away, one got back to me eventually to let me know they were fully subscribed, and I think the third is out of business 'cause the email bounced.

Hope it works out for you. I can't wait for my first delivery!

[fabsfour]

5. We're on our 3rd year with our CSA

It's pretty cool. We've learned to eat some things we wouldn't normally try, the veggies are awesome and we love supporting the farmer. I think there are actually several in our area but we picked the one with the drop off close to our house. They've got some cool programs during the year as well but we haven't taken advantage of those yet.

I cannot wait for ours to start. The first several weeks have tons of salad greens....yummmmm. That's what spring tastes like to me now.

[wildeyed]

8. Welcome to DU fabsfour!

I am anxiously waiting the first shipment, too. Sustainable is great, but I am really just greedy for fresh yummy veggies instead of the plastic tasting nasties they sell at the supermarket.

Greens, yum. Can't wait.

[melnjones]

9. this is really cool...

thanks for posting!

[wildeyed]

10. Mine begins next month.

Sounds like lots of greens to start. Yum!

[NMDemDist2]

11. cool!! keep us posted OK? n/t