Friday, May 2, 2008

We joined a CSA!

I'm so excited!

Tonight we joined an Organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm. For those of you unfamiliar with the idea:

A CSA, (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm for their share ($220 a year in this case) , people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA. Each week we will pick up our share at a local drop point (which happens to be closer to my house than the grocery store!) This farm runs the program for 22 weeks so the cost ends up being $10 a week!!!! For Organic Produce!!!

I have been wanting to do this for a while now but didn't know of a farm and had not known anyone who did this. I was told of this one, Windy Meadow Farms by a mom in my daughter's pre-school. She has done it for a few years now and loves it. This mom said that her box would last the entire week usually. Also, this farm sends an email out each week so you can order what items you want in your box so you don't end up with a bunch of stuff your family won't eat.

They don't do fruit so I will be going to the local farmers markets this summer for that. I am also growing my own garden so will focus on the things I can't get through the farm like tomatoes. The pickup time is Thursday evening from 4-6 which coincides with the local farmers market about a mile from the pickup point. I think my plan will be to head to the pick up and then over to the farmers market to fill in with anything else we need!

I love the idea of locally grown organic produce for a variety of reasons and I'm thrilled we will be expanding it to include all of our veggies this year!!!

They will also be offering eggs this summer and I'm excited to try those as well!

8 comments:

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

I checked out the farm website and if you are close to that farm then you are about 2 1/2 hours away from me. Cool.

Christine said...

We are about 30 Min west of there. But I've seen your blog before and often thought we lived somewhat close to each other!

Teresa@Much-A-Do said...

I had never heard of a CSA before - what a great idea. I've got to check out what we might have in my area. I'm trying to grow a lot in my own garden, but still have to round out with purchases from the farmer's market or grocery, so something like this might help fill that need. Thanks for sharing this!

Christine said...

If you go to this site:

http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

You can look up CSA's in your area!

The Fine Art of Motherhood said...

This is such a great idea! I can't wait to hear more about it -- maybe we'll try this! The price is really not bad at all, and it sounds like it's really convenient!!

Christine said...

Yes, I'll let you know. If you're interested next year then perhaps we could even take turns picking it up so it would be even easier. The pickup is in the St Paul/Titus area.

Teamcarbone said...

Ok I'm going for it! I love the idea and I found lots of veggies that I would eat! Because I make my own baby food this will be great too! Thank you!

Christine said...

Great Kristin!

They are even closer to you than they are to me so I'm thinking they should have a pickup pretty close to your house too!