Yesterday was the first day of my CSA pickups. In case you don’t know what a CSA is, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, you pay up front at the beginning of the growing season to receive a weekly share of farm fresh veggies and fruits. My CSA will last for 22 weeks and my produce comes from the Farm at Miller’s Crossing. This week we only received our vegetable share because the fruit share doesn’t begin until next week.
I had wanted to sign up for a CSA for years, but since there are a limited number of spots, I always missed the boat, or the pickups were on the weekends, which didn’t work for me, since we spend so many weekends out of the city. When I started researching CSAs this time around I found the Long Island City CSA which works perfectly for me. The pickups are midweek, close to home and they have a sliding scale based on income, which was very helpful to my part-time worker/law student salary. I also love the fact that whatever does not get picked up, gets donated to the food pantry. I know there will be weeks when we are away that we won’t be able to make pickups, so knowing that the food won’t go to waste is a great thing.
I was nervous for my first pick up, but it was a breeze. As soon as we walked in, everyone was smiling and super helpful. We signed in and checked out what we would be getting on the white board. I signed up for a half share, and so far I’m glad I did because we got a whole lot of veggies for a half share.
Pick up is structured into stations, so you go from station to station, picking out which particular bunch you want. You have to bring your own bags to pack your veggies, which I did, but I didn’t think to bring smaller containers for loose items like spinach, so we had to play around with getting those home and not making a huge mess.
We received:
- bok choy
- spinach
- mesclun salad
- arugula
- turnips
- rapini (broccoli rabe)
- radishes
I think that the part I will like best about being a part of a CSA will be the experimentation. While I’ve tried all these veggies before, many of them are not things I normally purchase. This way, I have to get out of my veggie comfort zone and try new things. I’ve already got an idea for the bok choy for dinner tonight!
Where do you usually buy your veggies? Are you part of a CSA?
YES! This is so exciting. Our CSA box has been fabulous for making sure we eat a more varied diet and definitely experimentation!
Running Hutch recently posted..Review: HoneyBelle Fit bodybuffer
OH man i loved having a CSA!! Ours started delivering the same thing all the time so I stopped. But it definitely made me get creative and try new things!
Amanda @runtothefinish recently posted..Small Investments with Huge Returns
I’ve always wanted to be a part of a CSA. I need to look into it. It sounds awesome 🙂
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope recently posted..Spinach, Mushroom & Cheese Omelette Making!…
ooooh I need to get us a CSA in our new town.
I miss it.
MIz recently posted..MIZ on a pole.
i’m not part of a CSA yet… every summer i say i’m going to and then i wimp out. i do visit farmer’s markets on a very regular basis though
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..HERSHEY’S Family Play Day in St. Louis
I LOVE THIS! We got a CSA box last year and it was so much fun! So many great veggies. I also loved how much I learned about local farming. I had never really thought about how much the weather could affect those farmer and their crops. It definitely helped me gain a greater appreciation for my food and the environment!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..My Halifax Family Adventure
Thanks for the follow on Twitter. I’m also in Queens (Rego Park) and had no idea there was a CSA in LIC. I wonder if you can still join I will have to look into it. Veggies look great! Thanks for sharing the info.
Patty recently posted..Sign of Summer: Citi Bikes
Just sent you an email with the CSA info! 🙂
I love being part of a CSA because its a great game to play with yourself on how to use it all each week. Ours starts next Tuesday!
Casey recently posted..Scenes from a Long Weekend
I need to find a CSA ASAP!
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..Playlist Thursday: Beach Tunes
This sounds amazing! I need to find one.
Kadee-Cat recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday
I love how your program works, we get a box delivered which is good, but I love how you have extra interaction 🙂 It all looked so good
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