Community Supported Agriculture

[Downtown]

Rob and I are huge fans of our local farmer's market, which opened last weekend, and we go every weekend we're able, with $30 which we spend, whether we need to, or not, just to support the local farmers. However, today I just found out that there is a whole other way to support local agriculture through CSAs! Does anyone here participate in one? I'm sure somewhere in The Throbbing Brain, with our large crunchy contingency, there is some experience with this!

 

[GeogPlanner]

I don't but did you see the TU's "Life" cover story today? Farm of Plenty

 

[Downtown]

I don't but did you see the TU's "Life" cover story today? Farm of Plenty

I did - which was funny, because CSA's were today's topic on a mommies group i post on, only to go home at lunch and see the paper.

 

[Duke Of Dystopia]

What is this CSA of which you speak?

 

[SGB]

I've never subscribed to CSA, but we have a very successful small farm in my county that operates under the CSA model. All of this farm's subscriber base is in a city over 150 miles away.

 

[AubieTurtle]

I did some research on CSAs in my area and most of them were fully subscribed. I'm not sure that as a single guy I could eat all the veggies they bring but it sure would make more sense than buying them at the Publix after they've been shipped from Argentina or some other far away locale.

 

[tsc]

Some one in my office did last year....which reminds me I wanted to do it this year!! Thanks for reminding me Downtown.

I go to the farmers market... but it isn't like the farmers market I grew up with (of course it was in the earth-crunchy Ithaca, NY). It seems that the Amish are to farmers markets as Native Americans are to Casinos. I actually get a lot of my produce at the huge Asian grocers we have here... they have amazing prices and great produce.

 

[Downtown]

What is this CSA of which you speak?

Community Supported Agriculture

It is kind of like a Veggie of the Month Club - you sign up with a local farm that has a CSA program at the beginning of the growing season, pay your fee (between $250 - $400) and then every week you get a basket/box of whatever they're harvesting at that point. Most have some sort of work commitment - 3 hours a month, say, where you have to volenteer, but a lot of time there is an opt out fee for the work portion. The consumer benefits because they get a wide variety of vegetables and sometimes fruit - usually organic, that are locally produced, and the farm benefits because they have a built in market for their product.

 

[Planderella]

I absolutely love the Crescent City Farmer's Market . It started out in a little parking lot in the CBD area on Saturday mornings, but has gotten so popular, they opened up a few more locations on other days of the week. I love to get fresh veggies from this market. They taste so much better than the supermarket variety and their prices are comparable.

 

[martini]

We've got freinds that participate in a CSA in SW Wisco, and I firmly suspect that we'll also participate in it once we move there. We're also BIG fans of our local Farmers Market, as well as the Minneapolis Farmers Market(an Amazing thing to see, its huge, with people watching abilities beyond belief). The CSA is a great way to support the local guy. I like that.

 

[tsc]

I absolutely love the Crescent City Farmer's Market . It started out in a little parking lot in the CBD area on Saturday mornings, but has gotten so popular, they opened up a few more locations on other days of the week. I love to get fresh veggies from this market. They taste so much better than the supermarket variety and their prices are comparable.

It does look fun!

“The conditions are ideal and the track is fast" announced Bruce Baumann, track voice for the 2004 Dachshund Derby . 18 wiener dogs (and their owners) showed up last Saturday to vie for the coveted title of Crescent City Farmers Market Derby winner.

Dogs raced against another until the last heat, when Ajia threw it into high gear to capture first place. All dogs received a entry prize (courtesy of Gerica Seafood) and Ajia carried off her prize, a Three Dog Bakery gift basket. Thanks to all of the entrants and we look forward to next year!