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Local Food (CSAs)
I've been reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food and am sold on the importance of eating locally. That is, eating food grown locally, not just frequenting the neighborhood burrito joint (that's another discussion).
In the book he mentions community supported agriculture programs (CSAs). Basically you buy a share in a local farm, or group of farms, and regularly receive a box of seasonal produce. I found a few lists of nearby CSAs (see below for two), but would like to know if anyone here has had any experience with one.
Thanks!
CSA listings:
http://www.thelocalbeet.com/2009/03/20/2009-csa-guide/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/eat-local/Content?oid=924486
In the book he mentions community supported agriculture programs (CSAs). Basically you buy a share in a local farm, or group of farms, and regularly receive a box of seasonal produce. I found a few lists of nearby CSAs (see below for two), but would like to know if anyone here has had any experience with one.
Thanks!
CSA listings:
http://www.thelocalbeet.com/2009/03/20/2009-csa-guide/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/eat-local/Content?oid=924486
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Plain on -
Good post idea Chris.
We have a few friends in the city and another couple in St. Charles that have both bought shares this year. I'm not sure which CSAs they have specifically used, but they have both been happy with the service, especially knowing that they are supporting local farmers.
I've been looking into this myself lately and actually might check out Growing Power, one of the CSAs included in the listings you provided Chris. I like how you can order their market baskets as needed. Given that it would be for just my fiancee and I, the junior/senior basket at $9 is worth a shot.
I'll keep everyone posted once we pull the trigger and let you know about our experience.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Leinartas on -
My realtor is a dropoff point for Angelic Organics: http://www.angelicorganics.com/Vegetables/vegetablescontent.php?con...
She loves them. Looking at their site, their stuff looks totally dank. I'm about to sign up for a 20-week package for next year.
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Richardson on -
People really do love Angelic Organics. Plus, they're biodynamic. Knowing they have a local drop-off point is a big plus too. Thanks for the feedback.
I must be getting old: 'dank' is a good thing?
Michael Leinartas said:My realtor is a dropoff point for Angelic Organics: http://www.angelicorganics.com/Vegetables/vegetablescontent.php?con...
She loves them. Looking at their site, their stuff looks totally dank. I'm about to sign up for a 20-week package for next year.
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Permalink Reply by Russ M on -
Gosh, I was thinking the same thing... dank = good?
Christopher Richardson said:People really do love Angelic Organics. Plus, they're biodynamic. Knowing they have a local drop-off point is a big plus too. Thanks for the feedback.
I must be getting old: 'dank' is a good thing?
Michael Leinartas said:My realtor is a dropoff point for Angelic Organics: http://www.angelicorganics.com/Vegetables/vegetablescontent.php?con...
She loves them. Looking at their site, their stuff looks totally dank. I'm about to sign up for a 20-week package for next year.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Plain on
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Courtesy of Urban Dictionary:
Formerly used to denote really potent weed, it now means really or awesome.
As in:
That party was dank!
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Permalink Reply by Becca on -
Ah yes, "That party was dank." Got it. Good looking out Brian!
Brian Plain said:Courtesy of Urban Dictionary:
Formerly used to denote really potent weed, it now means really or awesome.
As in:
That party was dank!
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Permalink Reply by Becca on
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I don't know much about CSA's. I've kind of shied away from them because I seem to dislike more veggies than I like and I don't want to get stuck with a box of beets or something like that. But a few months ago @VirtualFarmGirl posted info about the King's Hill Farm CSA on her blog.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Griffiths on -
Hi Chris - My husband read In Defense of Food and we joined a CSA soon after as well. We went through Genesis Growers (www.genesis-growers.com/)
We were really pleased with the food, although the small box was too much of just a few things during the spring season. It was hard because we are only two people and would get TONS of lettuce, for example, and we couldn't eat it all before it went bad. In saying that, we were very happy with what we got and would try it again during a different season.
Because of some last minute changes with drop off points, they all ended up dropping off our box at our doorstep every week - it was great!
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Richardson on
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I really appreciate the feedback; thank you very much!
Elizabeth Griffiths said:Hi Chris - My husband read In Defense of Food and we joined a CSA soon after as well. We went through Genesis Growers (www.genesis-growers.com/)
We were really pleased with the food, although the small box was too much of just a few things during the spring season. It was hard because we are only two people and would get TONS of lettuce, for example, and we couldn't eat it all before it went bad. In saying that, we were very happy with what we got and would try it again during a different season.
Because of some last minute changes with drop off points, they all ended up dropping off our box at our doorstep every week - it was great!
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Permalink Reply by Ming on -
You know I started looking at CSAs as well a few weeks ago, but it seems like all of them were sold out for the season. I guess it's one of the obstacles for new people is knowing when to sign up.
I had someone on LJ suggest http://www.freshpicks.com/cms/ I don't think they operate in the CSA fashion of "You buy x shares and get whatever is grown". It's more like you order what you want and they will deliver it to you on a weekly or biweekly basis.
I've not tried them, mainly because I travel so much. But it looks interesting, they deliver to Oak Park on Saturdays and the descriptions tell you where the produce or meat was grown/raised.
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Permalink Reply by Becca on
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The farmers from Kings Hill will be at Buzz later this month to answer questions. I just added a blog post with the details.
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Permalink Reply by Paul on -
We were part of a CSA for a year about 10 years ago. It was fun not knowing what you would be getting until the box arrived, but there was also a lot of waste -- plus at the beginning and end of the growing season you tend to get a lot of dark leafy crops, which take up a LOT of room in the fridge. We stopped, largely because of the waste, but also because of the options of places like Whole Foods and the summer farmer's market, where we could control better what we bought and still support local farmers.
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