In January, one of my goals for 2011 was to participate in another CSA. It almost feels like a lifetime ago that I made the goals for this past year and it’s hard to believe there are only 8 more weeks left in the year. With winter quickly approaching and farmer’s markets closing, I knew I needed to get involved in another CSA this fall.
Last year we participated in our first CSA after I was introduced to the idea of one at a vegetarian festival I went to during the summer of 2010. I wasn’t exactly sure what a CSA was, how to find a good one, or if I would be getting my money’s worth if I participated. A CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture, and it is a great way to support your local farms. I didn’t know where to start, so I actually ended up going to Local Harvest to search for CSA’s in my area. Local Harvest is such a great resource – it has information about CSA’s in the entire country along with farmers markets and co-ops.
Last year I finally settled on my CSA through Genesis Growers. Genesis Growers is an organic farm, which I love, and we are going to be participating in their 6 week fall CSA. We were very impressed last year that for a medium share for $200, we got a lot of produce, along with some extras such as beans and corn meal. For six weeks at $200, that equals about $33 a week, which I think is a great price for local organic produce.
This year, we also decided to get bi-weekly eggs. I never was a really big fan of eggs even when I was younger, so this is mainly for the Husband. And for those of you who are wondering, one of the main reasons why I don’t eat meat (are eggs meat? such a gray area!) is because I never know the source of the meat which makes me nervous. So, if you ever see me eat one of these eggs, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Local + organic = awesome. Although I doubt I will because the smell of eggs makes me gag.
Yesterday was the first day of our CSA for the fall, and we got a great big box of produce! In our box was:
- Dry black beans
- Kohlrabi
- Acorn Squash
- Apples
- Pears
- Onion
- Kale
- Red Leaf Lettuce
- Parsley
Not too shabby! I am always really impressed by the quality of the vegetables as well. You can tell just how passionate the farm is in what they do.
I don’t remember what I did with my kohlrabi last year, but I do know I now have a total of four acorn squash on my kitchen counter. Oh the problems I seem to have.
Question: Have you ever participated in a CSA? If not, would you?
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Although I have never participated in a CSA, it sounds likea great idea. I’m sure it would encourage me to try new recipes- I tend to buy the same produce and make what I know, week in and week out!
It definitely helped me think outside the box last year! I can’t wait to make a stir fry with that kohlrabi!
CSAs are amazing. Being in college, it isn’t realistic for me to participate because I wouldn’t be able to prepare the vegetables that would need to be cooked, nor would I be able to refrigerate the ones that needed it (my fridge basically is the size of my head). I can’t wait to get out of college this year (!!!) and start participating in amazing organizations like this!
I’m going to have to use your resource and see if I can find one within driving distance…. The husband will love having local + organic eggs. My grandmother in law raises her own chickens and eggs and she swears when she is done, I can take over. YAY!
How fun!!! Someday when we move to a bigger house, I definitely want a lot of land and I would LOVE to have our own chickens. Weird?
I just had to google kohlrabi…I’ve never heard of it before!
haha it was new to me last year too!
Oh yes, kohlrabi, my favorite… lol had no idea what that was until I just looked it up. Haha and I was expecting to see more acorn squash on your blog this week since you got so many. Perhaps a soup would use some up?
ive been in a CSA on and off since 2004. Love it. Produce pickup day is the BEST. So many choices and so many things to make!
I would definitely be interested in getting a CSA box! I think it would help me try new foods - The only thing I would be weary about is because I like to plan my meals on Sunday!
Yeah, that does make things a little wierd - all CSA pick ups are different though!
Joining the CSA is really, really something I want to do in the spring. I doubt they have fall CSA’s here in Canada, but I totally am slapping myself for not joining this summer!
I would definitely be interested in getting a CSA box! I think it would help me try new foods – The only thing I would be weary about is because I like to plan my meals on Sunday!
I never have… my friend who lives in Brooklyn was part of a great one this summer. It also encouraged her to cook with lots of new veggies that she hadn’t tried before.
I did participate in a CSA one year. I’m glad I did it, but…it was the CSA’s first year and I wasn’t super-happy with it. I didn’t sign up again, but I hear they’re much better now. I was considering signing up again, but decided to search out my own local (and sometimes organic) produce because with me about to have a baby (and stay- and perhaps work part-time from home) it’s more cost-effective for us.
But I do love the idea of CSA’s and would certainly consider doing it again in the future.
Good for you for figuring out what works for you and your (growing!) family!
I’ve never tried a CSA program! I would love to though
That’s an impressive deal for your CSA, Chelsey! And the produce looks amazing. I also am not a big fan of eggs (and I eat meat)- I have had an aversion since I was little, and have just recently started eating them every once in a while. They’re still not one of my favorites though!
I participated in my first CSA this summer and loved it! It forced me to use veggies I wouldn’t have picked otherwise and I loved knowing that it was all local and organic
I agree! I’m sure it’s a lot easier to do a CSA instead of going to a farmer’s market with a new baby!
I haven’t tried one yet, but I’m open to the idea. I was actually just on the Local Harvest site yesterday to try and find a local turkey farmer before Thanksgiving.
Neat!
I wanted to do a CSA really badly this year but couldnt find any that were somewhat convenient as far as pickup goes. All of them required a 25-30 minute drive and I just knew I’d be regretting that decision every week later on. They’re becoming more and more popular though so I hope I can participate next year or soon
we don’t use a CSA but occasionally a local + organic food/delivery service called irv & shelly’s (http://www.freshpicks.com/cms/). i LOVE when the big box of goodies arrives at the door. while you can order exactly what you want, i usually go with the mixed fruit and veggies box which means they give you whatever’s in season and whatever looks good!
on a related note, have you seen these indoor farmer’s markets in the chicago area? (http://www.localharvest.org/winter-farmers-markets-chicago-area-M19510). thinking of trying one out!
I didn’t know those existed! Are those every week or just the week that’s listed!?
Thanks so much for the link to Local Harvest. I didn’t think my area had any CSA’s but I just found one!
Awesome!
I just signed up for a CSA and I am supper excited! I can’t wait to go pick up a new box of veggies every week!
whoa, $200, good deal! That’s awesome that you get dried beans and fruit, too. looks delish. I can’t wait to start one in the spring.
I definitely would but I only cook for myself and all of the CSA’s I’ve looked into seem to be lots of produce that I probably couldn’t get through every week. I also always buy local eggs, there are tons of options around me!
I don’t like eggs either. personally I think their sick. Like someone eating one of my eggs. yuck.
Oh gross, that made me gag - lol!
Ha ha, I’m picky about eggs. As in, I usually only like them if I make them. Can’t wait to see what you do with that kohlrabi!
I love the idea of participating in a CSA! But at the same time, I think if I did one, I would miss going to the farmer’s market to buy my produce.
I love being able to go there and just poke around all the stalls!
Off topic slightly, but does your CSA get delivered to your door or do you have to pick it up?
I pick it up on THursday afternoons, but there is the option of having it delivered for a fee!
I’ve been wanting to participate in a CSA for a long time now, and this post has me sold! Thanks for including the link to Local Harvest - I’ll start there to see if I can find one in my area.
We used to belong to a CSA and I really enjoyed it for the wider variety of produce it forced us to eat. What I didn’t like about it was not knowing ahead of time what we were getting (although the surprise was kinda fun), but it did make meal planning more difficult. We seemed to get tons of the few things I don’t care for so some was wasted which I hated. So this year I just shopped at the farmers market as much as possible and only bought what and the amount I know we would eat and ended up saving some money. And we even bought from the same farm we had the CSA from.
I haven’t participated in one before because I’m not sure what I would do if I got a bunch of produce I don’t like or can’t eat. Although it looks like you scored! Roasted kohlrabi is one of my favorite sides.
i had to double check your math because EIGHT weeks sounded much too conservative! but yes, you are correct! there are ONLY eight weeks left to the year! i’m now freaking out because there are too many things left on my goals to accomplish list!!! thank you for kicking my motivation into high gear, coach bag girl!
and i would not participate in a CSA because i purchase my food directly before consumption to manage my exbulimic life. maybe one day i’ll be able to keep a big box of healthy product in my house, but that’s a long way off. x
That number was just pulled out randomly too! I thought maybe it was around that!
That looks like a great first round! Both of my sisters participate in one in their area. Once I’m out of college, it is definitely something I will look in to!
That looks like a great batch of goodies for the first week! Once I have a job and actually have an income (!) I’m definitely going to be joining a CSA.
I’ve told you before, but I’m trying to get Meeker to buy to the CSA box, but he’s on the fence. Glad you got yours, it looks so good!
Pull out the “but it will save us money” conversation. That’s what I did.
I haven’t ever participated in a CSA but I think it is an awesome idea!
I would LOVE to participate in a CSA but I can’t find a winter one in my area. I’ll keep looking!