For $30/week, for 22 weeks, here is what the one and only CSA in my city will provide each week:
June: 2 lbs White Nectarines, 1 ½ lbs Apriums (80% Apricot 20%Plum), 1 lb Donut Peaches 1 head Butter Lettuce, 1 bunch Romanesco Cauliflower, 1 Rosemary Baguette, 2 lb Zucchini, 1 lb Fresh Green Beans, 1 bunch Basil.
July: 1lb White Peaches, 1 ½ lbs Pluots (80% Plum 20% Apricot), 1 Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread, 1 basket Cherry Tomatoes, 2 lbs mixed Heirloom Tomatoes, 2 Heart of Romaine Lettuce, 1 bunch Broccoli , 1 bunch Carrots, 1 ½ lbs mixed Summer Squash, 1 ½ lbs sweet red Onions.
August: 1 Melon (over 15 varieties), 1 basket Cherry Tomatoes, 1 Fresh Fruit Tort, 1 ½ lbs Mixed Tomatoes (over 30 varieties), 2 lbs Sweet Pepper (over 17 varieties), 1 lb Eggplant, 2 lbs Zucchini, 1 head Lettuce, 1 bunch Beats, 1 lb Green Beans, 1 bunch Radishes.
September: 1 Watermelon, 2 lbs Sweet Peppers, 1 Chocolate Raspberry Tart, 2 lbs mixed Heirloom Tomatoes, 1 ½ lbs Yellow Peaches, 2 lbs Summer Squash, 1 bunch Thyme, 1 lb Snow Peas, 1 basket of fresh Strawberries
October: 1 ½ lbs Pomegranates, 1 ½ lbs Apples, 1 head Lettuce, 1 Caramelized Onion Baguette, 1 Butternut Winter Squash, 2 heads Broccoli, 1 bunch Basil, 1 lb Green Beans, 1 basket Cherry Tomatoes, 2 lbs mixed Tomatoes.
The list of foods the CSA offers seems like a lot of food for our family of 3.5, and also a lot of things we don't normally eat. This prompted me to begin keeping track of how much produce we go through, and what it costs. Tracking my buying/produce serving habits almost convinced me to not join the CSA, but I think I have
1. We rarely eat produce that's organic. It just seems so expensive, and I think I've been brainwashed by the shiny non-organic produce, so the more natural looking items don't look as appealing.
2. We lack variety in our fruit and vegetable eating habits. Here is what we go through in a normal two week period:
Apples
Bananas
carrots
Broccoli
Sweet peppers
Onion
Mushrooms & sometimes spinach, but mainly for my breakfast omelets
During the spring/fall, strawberries and grapes
During the summer, lettuces
3. I don't serve enough fruits and vegetables to my family. On average, we have 4-5 dinners with veggies. I make sure the boys get fruit with lunch and most afternoon snacks, but not veggies, and not for myself (DH is in charge of his diet while at work).
Since we don't currently eat a lot of what will be offered, I've asked myself many times if signing up for the program is a good idea... I think this will be a good opportunity for us to expand our horizons. If I see the produce the CSA is offering in a store, would I buy it? Probably not. But I'm confident if I am "forced" to bring the produce home, I'll use it, my family and I will adjust our taste buds to the new offerings, and we will be healthier because of it. I mean, it's not like they're telling me I will need to serve my family durians (barf bag anyone?).
Do any of you out there who aren't able to supply your family with enough home-grown fruits and veggies participate in a CSA or farm co-op? What do you think about the program?
I did, and I would if I couldn't grow anything. We get around the "not a lot of vegetables" by concentrating on super veggies -- kale, mostly. But variety is good. A CSA can push you into more experimentation, but it can be a problem if it becomes just waste. As to the shiny, non-organic stuff, well, the stuff out of my garden isn't perfect, but it's so good. . . it's sort of the same thing. Keep us posted; this is an interesting conversation.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have participated in various forms of organic produce delivery. When we're in a cooking mood, it's grand. So much fresh, delicious variety and crunchy, whole goodness. Some CSAs send recipes with the box for items that may be unusual or new. Others post recipes on line as well as other interesting data about their products.
ReplyDeleteWhen we're both working tons of overtime at the office and too tired or too sick to move when we get home at night, the fresh goodies go to waste far too frequently. That's true whether the produce is delivered or we buy it in the store, so no real difference there.
But I'll tell you one thing, after watching Food, Inc., earlier this week, very little in this world can induce me ever to eat conventionally grown food again. I'd much rather know where my food is coming from than get it from a giant factory farm.
Stefaneener~I decided to sign up for the CSA since I *can't* grow enough produce for the family at this point. I like that they offer different things than I'm growing this year. If it works well I'll do it again next year, but hopefully I'll have a spot in our community garden 3 years from now, and won't need the CSA.
ReplyDeleteKathryn Grace~I have Food Inc on my list of things to eventually watch--but not yet. I'm gradually making changes in our lifestyle, but I'm just not ready to watch that yet. Too scared of what I'll see I suppose...