Anyone try a CSA?

tnmaybride04

I am thinking of joining a CSA for us to receive locally grown produce and possibly meats/eggs.  Has anyone done this here?  There are so many that it is hard to choose!

kelly72206

I really want to, but I haven't had time to research it properly and make a decision.

cjsbdl

I'd love to, but my husband is very picky veggie eater so I probably wouldn't be able to use half of what they deliver.  From what I understand you pretty much take whatever it is that's ready to harvest on any given week, correct?

ImRonBurgundy?

I did Avalon Acres Farms CSA a few years ago.  I have mixed feelings about it - on one hand, we got to try some amazing veggies that I had never had before; on the other hand, we ended up wasting a lot because you really have to be committed to cooking and trying new things, which my DH and I weren't always committed to.  Here's what i think the pros and cons were:

Pros:
-I was able to split a "full share" with a friend -so we each got TONS of fruits and vegetables, a 1/2 dozen eggs, and 1 either whole chicken or share of beef
-everything tasted amazing - totally organic, freshly picked, and better than any fruits, veggies, and meat/chicken than I have ever tasted
-the people that ran Avalon Acres are wonderful
-lots of choices to buy additional things - from more veggies/meat/eggs/chicken/fruit to these awesome breads, cinnamon rolls, and desserts that their Amish neighbors made from scratch
-the owners invited everyone who participated in their program out to their farm for a day of fun/lunch
-we ate a lot healthier during the summer/fall that we did the CSA because we had so many fruits and veggies to eat

Cons:
-you don't have any control over what you get - and sometimes we got some weird veggies that we had no interest in eating
-totally dependent on the weather/crop/harvest - and when there's no rain, the shares we received that week were low, and so on those weeks you felt a little ripped off
-got a little time consuming to make the weekly drive to pick up the shares, and then go home, wash everything (it was all freshly picked to really dirty), bag stuff up, freeze some stuff, and then wash out the tubs to return the next week - definitely a lot of work!

All in all, I'm glad I did it - although I know now, with 2 nine month olds in my home, that I wouldn't have time for it.  I wish there were a delivery service - I might consider it then.  I'd highly recommend Avalon Acres -they were awesome and we got a lot of value!  I would suggest going in with a friend to split a full share - and also, possibly splitting up the responsibilities of picking up the tub every week.

Here's their website:

http://www.avalon-acres.com/

Katie
Pros:
-0

 

kyra&jp

I have considered it but never liked the idea of having no control over what you receive (there are only 2 of us here & we can be a bit picky!  I've always thought it would be worse to waste the food rather than just buy it at the store).  I found this site last night:

www.freshharvest.locallygrown.net

You can choose what you want to order each week based on availability.  You are not tied to a standing order--you don't have to place an order each week if you don't want to.  I just found the site & I don't have any firsthand experience with the farm yet, but it looks promising!

kyra&jp

I have considered it but never liked the idea of having no control over what you receive (there are only 2 of us here & we can be a bit picky!  I've always thought it would be worse to waste the food rather than just buy it at the store).  I found this site last night:  www.freshharvest.locallygrown.net

You can choose what you want to order each week based on availability.  You are not tied to a standing order--you don't have to place an order each week if you don't want to.  I just found the site & I don't have any firsthand experience with the farm yet, but it looks promising!