Any CSA members?

15 years ago

My husband and I are thinking of joining a local CSA, and are curious as to what other people's experiences have been. For those not familiar with it, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture -- generally you purchase a subscription to a local farm (usually quarterly), and they give you a box of produce. Most of the farms that do it are organic, and have a wide range of vegetables and fruit.

Since I'm in Southern California, the availability of produce throughout the year is pretty good. My husband and I are interested in getting away from as much processed food as possible, and trying to cook for ourselves...and we're vegetarian. So fresh veggies are a pretty big deal for us, and something we're trying to get more of.

My biggest concern is not actually using up the veggies that they give you -- since you have no control over what is given to you, you sort of have to wing it. And since we don't really know how to cook, we're going to have to really find our way with a lot of these veggies. My plan is to start with the smallest available box with our local CSA (it's actually an individual-size box), see how we do with that, and go from there.

If you get stuff from a CSA, can you tell me about your experience? Any tips or advice?

Here is a link that might be useful: Search for Local CSAs

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Comments (7)

Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
There are a few people here that get CSA boxes..I'm sure they can comment better than I.

CSA's are limited in my area and are very expensive.(and as you mention you get what is picked that week..my guys are a little less adventurous than I in the veggie department.)
I was so lucky to get in on a Co-op that allows me to pick my organic fruits and veggies, buy the quanities I want, and I also get to order other "wholesome" foods. Dairy and groceries with it.
However a down side, if one might see it that way, some of the organic produce is from out of state.
But there are several local farms that are suppliers to the co op so once our local growing season picks up, I'll be able to get more local produce without having to squeeze the farmers market schedule into mine. :o)
For instance the local farm was offering rhubarb, garlic scapes, and several lettuces this time around. But there were things like tomatoes, pineapples, melons and some stone fruit offered on the organic produce list.
Right now in my own small garden I'm eating lettuce out of it, so I skipped that on the co op list. :o)
stacy3
15 years ago
Hi rivkadr. I have belonged to a local CSA for several (5 or 6?) years now.

For most of the reasons that you mention - I continue to join each year. We enjoy getting naturally grown local food and since our growing season is so short here, we like to load up on the "good for you stuff" during those months. I think the fact that you are vegetarian is an even better reason to join!

Our CSA printed a cookbook a few years back offering ways to use lots of the lesser known veggies that are offered and it's really quite fun trying to figure out what to do with some! I have posted many threads here at the CF asking about things, too. People here are always eager to help!

I have purchased the "green bags" - since you are in CA, you can probably get them all over the place. They are called Evert fresh green bags - I think they even have on amazon. They are bags that help your produce to last longer - and they really do work.

And if you have any that you don't use - compost. Our CSA even hands out containers for you to fill with scraps and bring back to nourish the ground.

But I would guess that being vegetarian and with the help of this forum, and only buying an individual share, you'll use up most of what you get!

Some weeks are also better than others - here. At the beginning, all we get is spinach, lettuce and maybe some radishes - lol. heck, we haven't even started yet - as we had a heavy frost last night!

Look at it as a challenge - to use up those strange things! And let us know what fun stuff you get. Someone will always have a suggestion for you - lol.

Stacy
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annie1992
15 years ago
I know RobinKate also did a CSA. I don't, because I have my own garden, but I'm a huge proponent of eating anything you can that is grown locally, plus supporting your local farmers.

I urge you to give it a try, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Who was it that got the garlic scapes a year or so ago, anyway?

Annie
stacy3
15 years ago
that was me, Annie. :-)

Thanks again for helping me out with them - now I get them whenever I can!

...a year or so ago....snort - I just checked the date of my saved data from when I was collecting info on garlic scapes...it was 2004!!!!

Oh how time flies when you're having fun!
Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
Stacy , please share that info, I almost ordered some, but didn't know what to do with them..the "list" said..similar in texture to asparagas..but didn't elaborate beyond that.
shambo
15 years ago
I just signed up for a local CSA farm. I haven't received anything yet, but they are sending me their weekly newsletter keeping me up to date on their farm operation. Eventually I'll pick up a box each week.

I've never tried it, but my back won't survive my tending another vegetable garden this year. So I figured the CSA plus local farmer's markets will allow me to enjoy fresh, local produce without the physical strain.

I've been using the Evert green bags to keep the produce from the farmer's market fresh. They really work!

Here is a link that might be useful: CSA information
robinkateb
15 years ago
As Annie mentioned I have been a member of a CSA for 10 years now. Just last year I began getting a winter share as well. The first year or so there were veggies I had trouble using up. However now I find myself buying chard and celeriac when I don't have it from my farm. this site and epicurious are great places to find uses for your veggies. I also have Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and The Savory Way,/u>. Those 2 cookbooks are great. Several of my friends have bought the vegetarian one as well as it really does have great recipes. Also, ask the farmers and the other people picking up what they do with the veggies. I always ask the folks who are excited about getting the item that has me flummoxed.

-Robin

Any CSA members?

Comments (7)

Terri_PacNW

stacy3

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