Anticipation

[magid]

Today was to have been the first of about 20 weekly veggie pickups (I have a share in a local organic farm; this is my 3rd summer.). Unfortunately, due to the weather, which is apparently cooler than usual, enough that it affects the growing cycle, the first pickup will be next Tuesday instead. On the other hand, they're going to try to tack on another week in October, so in the end, it balances. (And the Jewish calendar is cooperating this year, so autumn Tuesdays are not difficult.)

Next week I forsee being inundated with leaves, lettuce and otherwise: salads in my future, definitely.

Since I'd gotten delivery in Cambridge last year, I decided to do the same thing this year, not really thinking about how a 5-7 pm window for picking up veggies in Central Square might cut into the hanging out with friends at the Diesel... Hrmph.

Mood: predatory thoughts of vegetables mixed with the need to have more people over if I'm to wade through the veggie bounty (no, pheromone, not veggie booty.... :-)

Comments

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

A organic produce co-op thingie locally?? I searched for one of these a couple of years ago and could find nothing. Could you perchance forward me some info or pointers on that? :) Thanks!

*wiggles her veggie booty with excitement*

ooh!

[bitty.livejournal.com]

My ex used to belong to one of those. I didn't realize there was one around here. Would you be able to send along the info? I know many peoples who would be interested.
Thanks!

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

When I have a normal schedule I think I'll be looking into it for Tiger Lily and myself. It did sound neefty last year.

CSA

[magid.livejournal.com]

Here's a list of CSAs in Massachusetts. And Google had some other sites when I searched for CSA and Massachusetts.

I got my first share 3 years ago, when a cow orker looked into buying a share in a CSA (community supported agriculture (No, it doesn't parse well spelled out)) a couple of years ago. She ended up not doing it (too many trips over the summer), but I did.

I chose mine (Waltham Fields) because it was local enough that I could do pick up at the farm (and if I pay for delivery, it's to a place/time that's reasonable for me), plus it's organic, plus their main mission is to get fresh food to shelters & food pantries, with the CSA on the side to cover costs. They also get volunteer labor from members and other groups (school groups, etc, come for a day).

Unfortunately, I think they've sold all their shares for this year already; perhaps some of the other places have something available. I don't know how early they start lists for next year...

(Getting the share means I don't end up at farmer's markets as much, though, since I'm already inundated with whatever veggies were ready that week, so I miss some of the things the farm doesn't grow, such as fruit, or corn.)

Re: ooh!

[magid.livejournal.com]

There are many (well, more than just one or 2) around here. The one in the listing I linked to (see reply to Pheromone's comment above) that delivers closest to you is Drumlin Farm, which apparently has stuff over the winter, too (which I've not seen anywhere else local. Though in CA...).

I remember going there when I was little, going on the hay rides...
n

[magid.livejournal.com]

*wiggles her veggie booty with excitement*

... how could I have forgotten to appreciate this?
:-)

[magid.livejournal.com]

Farmer's markets are a pretty cool option, too: not only is the produce freshly picked, you also get to choose what you want... There are definitely times I feel somewhat forced into culinary adventures when I see what's been put in the share that week (though this can be a definite plus, too; it just depends on my mood and how hectic the week is...)
u

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

So who are these farmers? What does a share run?

[magid.livejournal.com]

I know the name of the organizer, but don't really know much more about the guy who runs it. He's the most vague person I've ever met (and I've met mathematicians!). A bunch of the people are volunteers.

Shares run about $450/year, which I figure works out to a decent deal, ~$22/week for a box full of organic veggies picked that morning, some of them heirloom or other types of hard-to-find items... Other places are a bit more or a bit less, but this is a reasonable average.