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

[wildeyed]

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...

So basically, I 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! 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 (thanks to cmf for posting this web address originally). http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/csastate.htm

[Longhorn]

1. What a great deal!

I used to be in a "vegetable co-op" with some friends where we'd take turns going to the farmer's market and bring back veggies and fruit for everyone in the co-op. This sounds even better because they deliver and you don't ever have to go do the shopping!

Thanks for the link. There are nine farms in the vicinity but none have a deal like yours that I can determine. Let us know what you think when you get your first delivery! :D

[wildeyed]

2. Try emailing a few.

I emailed several before I got this reply.

[Longhorn]

3. Good idea! Thanks! n/t

[cmf]

4. Great!

I'm glad that you found a farm! You will love participating in a CSA. You just can't beat farm fresh produce every week. Do they do flowers too?

[wildeyed]

5. Yes, but flowers are extra,

so I don't know if I will do that. Hopefully I can get my own little flower garden going and won't have to buy. Flowers are much easier to grown than veggies. I do my own herbs, too.

[eleny]

6. Wow, this is great!

I found a few in the Denver area. I'm heading out to the library. But have bookmarked the site and will be checking it out later. This is fabulous!

[grasswire]

7. one of the problems we found.......

....is that the weekly box would hold very small amounts of many things, so it was hard to have a dish made out of, for example, squash. There would be perhaps 5 radishes, one turnip, two beets, a dozen green beans, some greens for stewing, a few potatoes, and other things in small amounts.

So unless you want to always use the stuff in salads or soups, it can be frustrating. This may be the function of having too many subscribers, I don't know.

[wildeyed]

8. The guy I spoke to said he could tweak the order

to fit our individual needs. So if the kids were eating blueberrie but no beets, we could get more blueberries, that kind of thing.

[eleny]

9. I also received an email back from one of the places listed

It's a place that's about 40 miles east of here. And they deliver as well. They have all sorts of organic meats, too - including lamb. He's sending me a brochure so I'll know the prices for delivered items.

I'm also waiting to learn if they have stands at the local farmer's markets. But I'm especially glad to find another outlet of organic meats and poultry. Next I'll be shopping for a freezer. But I wouldn't mind having meats delivered in quantity. I'm tired of lugging groceries. And the flavor of organic meats is better, imo.

[wildeyed]

10. A small chest freezer isn't that expensive.

I bought one a few years ago and I really like it. Also handy for those monstrously large Costco purchases.

[NMDemDist2]

11. i checked out that website too and there are two gardens in my area

but you have to pay upfront for a season.

not sure I want to committ for 3 or 6 months right off the bat

not sure I can afford it either right now, maybe next fall when all the winter veggies start coming and $$$ is a little better.

glad you found one though, I know you really wanted to get involved in one.... keep us posted on how it went

[wildeyed]

12. The one I found, you pay a small fee up front,

then weekly on delivery. I would be nervous about committing to a full season, even if I had the $$$'s, without a strong recommendation form a trusted friend.

[supernova]

13. I'm like you, I might want to be involved on a limited basis at first

I think if they have a store/stand, it might be a place to start trying them out. Get to know the farmers and what their long term plans are, for instance.

There are three or four here in the Triangle area that I had never heard of, so thanks for the Link!

The prices seem reasonable I think for a family. Though, since there is just me, I don't know how economical it would be for a one person household. I tend to buy maybe $10 worth of produce during the week.

[wildeyed]

15. Some farms sell half shares.

But you are responsible for finding a partner for the other half and diving it up. A half share from my local farm is only $8 per week!

[supernova]

14. Do you guys mind if I share the CSA link with the Lounge?

I'm sure there are others who would like this info.

[wildeyed]

16. Please do! n/t

[NMDemDist2]

17. SN are you a cooking lurker??? OMG! i promise I won't tell lol n/t

[supernova]

18. You've found me out!

*handing my head in shame* I covet everyone's KitchenAids.

[NMDemDist2]

19. LOL welcome! no shame to love good food, good friends and

fun gadgets :D