CSAs!

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

You were all so wonderfully helpful when it came to my asking about car & rental insurance that I thought I'd return to you with another question...

I know it's late to even be thinking about it, but I'd really love to be a member of a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). I remember looking a couple months ago (once I had signed a lease and knew for sure that I would be living here) to try to find one that would be convenient and it seemed that they were all sold out. Obviously that's probably even more true now (and I know they've all started by now) but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas. I absolutely loved my CSA in Ithaca (NY, where I was before now) and find myself missing it (weird? maybe). If I still can't find a place to get a share, I'll continue to hit up the farmer's markets in the area, but I'm still hoping...

Anyway, if anyone has any leads or tips I'd love to hear them! In terms of pick-up, I'd like something to be relatively nearby (walking or the T would be best but I'd be willing to drive if it was within about a 15 minute range... I'm desperate!) and because of my work hours, I'd need a pick-up in the evenings (I couldn't do one of the early afternoon ones).

Even if they're already full up, if you belong to one and love it, I'd like to hear about it so I can look into it for next summer already! In terms of that--do any of the ones around here have local farms you can go to for u-pick things? My last CSA had that for beans, tomatoes, basil, hot peppers and so on and it was one of my favorite thing about it.

Thank you again!!

Comments

*nostalgic*

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Missing Ithaca "weird?" Nonsense!

Re: *nostalgic*

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Not the Ithaca part as much as my CSA being the thing I miss the absolute most about the summer there! Ithaca is so gorgeous and wonderful this time of year--it was very difficult to leave!!

Are you from Ithaca??

Re: *nostalgic*

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

I went to college there, and stayed several years afterwards; but it's always been a part of my life because my family camped there every summer since I was a little kid, and I've continued that tradition even after moving to Boston. I spent the week before last in a cabin at Buttermilk Falls. *sigh*

Re: *nostalgic*

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see now that you went to Cornell. My fiance went there, and I went to IC for 2 years (went to Brandeis University in Waltham before then). But I also grew up in Ithaca for the most part... I'm jealous that you got to spend the week at Buttermilk (even though I was still in Ithaca at that point, I was holed up in our apartment--on the lake, oh how I miss it!--packing).

What a nice tradition--camping there every summer. I think I'll have to do that with my kids (that won't exist for some years now) since we probably won't end up living there.

Oh, Ithaca. I'll sigh along side you.

Re: *nostalgic*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_meej_/]

Joining in on the sighing about Ithaca (Cornell alum here, plus time spent there afterward) - and yes, my CSA share there was one of the things I missed most till I found one here. (Parker Farm (http://web.mac.com/parkerfarm/iWeb/Site/About%20Parker%20farm.html), which has a website in addition to the LJ)

Which CSA did you belong to out there?

Re: *nostalgic*

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Full Plate Collective! We lived on Taughannock Blvd (Rt 89) right on the lake so we'd just zip up to Stick & Stone Farm (on Rt 96 before the hospital) for our pick-up. So wonderful. I have to admit that while I was very glad to be able to find a good CSA here (I was able to join Parker Farms as well), I will especially miss all the u-pick bounty (basil, tomatoes, peas, and so on) being less than 10 minutes from our house.

Which CSA were you a part of in Ithaca?

Re: *nostalgic*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_meej_/]

The Teeter Farm, out near Robert Treman State Park, on the corner of Enfield Falls Rd and Gray Rd - I can still find it on a map! - though they had a pickup spot in downtown Ithaca.

To be honest, I had to google the name, even though I remembered right where it was - it was 7 years ago now... Wow, time sure flies!

Re: *nostalgic*

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Ah, good old Treman. I'm impressed with your memory!

Re: *nostalgic*

[attackpenguin.livejournal.com]

Look at this Ithaca love. We need an Ithacans in Davis sub group! ;-)

Re: *nostalgic*

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Yes!

[smazzle.livejournal.com]

Yes, typically you do have to join in the wintertime. I believe some CSAs allow you to just go and buy veggies there - so essentially they're a farm stand. Try http://www.farmschool.org in Waltham, or check out http://www.nofamass.org/programs/csa.php.

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links!!

[dariusk.livejournal.com]

I have some friends who do Picadilly Farm, who are based in NH but have a pickup in Arlington.

http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farm.php?farm=2052

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

I'll look into it, thank you!

[smazzle.livejournal.com]

Oo look a CSA on LJ: http://community.livejournal.com/parkerfarmcsa/

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

So fun! I wanna join the community even without the CSA share... haha. But that one sounds like they have good pick-up times that would work for us, maybe they have one little share that hasn't been snatched up yet (good prices too!). Thanks again :)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

You can certainly join anyway. We welcome groupies. :)

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Sounds like I can be a full-blown real member, and not just a jealous groupie! :) I'm guessing you're a member of the Parker Farm CSA and I'm guessing you like it but just wanted to check before I fully commit to it... yes?

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

We did the Parker Farms share and really liked it. It was huge, even though we split it with another family (we're a family of two adults, and we split it with a family of two adults and one child, and we still wound up giving away food).

So it might be worthwhile to see if anyone doing a Parker Farms share wants to split it with you; it might be more veggies than they expected, especially if they're first-time subscribers.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Ah, wait--I see below that a share became available for you! Yes, it's a great CSA. Enjoy!

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear people like Steve and Parker Farms!

We are two small (almost adult-sized! but we're done growing...) 23 year olds with the stomachs of a small army (especially my fiance, though I probably am a bigger vegetable eater while he mostly eats... everything?) who are especially good and loving of veggies (and fruit!). I emailed and said we'd like a large share but since I just did so I could probably still change my request to a small share. We thought to get the large share because we're such veggie lovers (we like variety and quantity.. and have had a CSA share in the past where we used to live) and because we figured any excess would give us an excuse to entertain friends for dinner.

If you get a chance to respond--do you think I should email Steve and change to a small share?

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

I love Steve and his CSA. I split a small share last year with a friend, and this year I'm spliting it 1/3 and 2/3 with a family. I'm a vegetarian and I still found myself having more than I could eat by myself with half of a small share last year.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Well, I've been with him for a few years now, promote the CSA regularly, and started the LJ community. Nah, I don't like it. ;)

I'm one (vegan) person and have a large that I share with a friend who only partakes periodically, so I definitely end up with more than I need but that has also inspired me to explore putting food by in various ways.

You can also make friends by giving away items you're not interested in, so I'd say, sure, go with the large. Worst case, you can see if someone wants to split it with you down the road.

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

:) Thanks for the advice. We decided to stick to the large share. We already finished everything we got from last week's pick-up and did so in less than a week (as we picked up on Thursday at Porter--we had to make sure to eat it all up since now we're on the Tuesday Davis pick-up)! Yum yum yum vegetables I do love you.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

I added you to my friends list, hope you dont mind :)

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Surely, I'll add you back. I haven't really used my LJ in a very long time but now I may be slightly re-joining.. at least for now. We'll see!

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

I think most CSAs are full at this point (at least thats what Ive read around lately)

Why did you move to MASS?

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

I think I found one! Hooray!

I moved here because I really like the area (for the most part, obviously there are things I don't like but that's true of most everywhere). I went to school right outside of Boston for a couple years and also have a lot of family all around so I've spent a lot of time around here. I also moved here for work--not a specific job (well, now I have one but originally I didn't...) but there is a lot of interesting research going on at the area hospitals and so on that I was hoping to get involved with. Alllssoooo, my fiance is going to grad school at Northeastern in the fall--though he's excited about the actual program he'll be in, he probably wouldn't have applied anywhere in Boston if it hadn't have been for my wanting to be here!

[lidiya6.livejournal.com]

I joined Parker Farm CSA this year. I also saw a notice for a Somerville CSA from a farm in Dracut, the press release was from May 16th - so maybe they still have shares available:
http://www.farmerdaves.net/somerville_csa.htm

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

This is a new CSA in East Somerville, about 2 miles from Davis, just starting this year. I'm under the impression that it's not sold out yet (I'm not a member, but I volunteer with East Somerville Main Streets and some folks from our group have been involved), so try the contact info in the link.

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

I emailed Parker Farms earlier and they said they have a spot for me if I want them--before I commit, do you like them? I'm guessing it's a good CSA considering there's a whole LJ community dedicated to them :)

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

"They" is Steve Parker and he's a great guy. I'd jump on this since a) it's a good CSA with both quantity and variety at a great price with convenient drop offs, b) Steve's a great guy, and c) I'm shocked he's got spaces left. Yes, take it. As a bonus, standing in line to pick up your share is a great way to meet your new neighbors.

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Steve seems great and I'm glad I got a chance to join his CSA. And I'm excited because last week he had us pick up at Porter but was able to switch us now to Davis--to meet our new neighbors, as you noted. Hooray!

[lidiya6.livejournal.com]

this is my first year so I don't have much experience, but I like it so far!

[smazzle.livejournal.com]

Wow you're lucky to get in on the CSA thing! If Parker Farms doesn't work out, it looks like Silverbrook Farms is still offering shares:
http://newamsterdamproject.com/2008/05/05/silverbrook-farm/

They deliver to the Somerville/Cambridge area. I came across it while doing food prices research for my blog... so I don't know about the quality, but try looking on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/

I joined the Farm School CSA, and we got our first delivery this week. I have a half share, but like everyone says, it's lots of veggies! But oh so delicious - I've never had arugula so fresh and peppery. You can always chop and freeze, or can the stuff. I feel like an old lady recommending that... but hey, why let good food go to waste?

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Oh man I love arugula. We had so much of it from our CSA last year that we ended up making a huge amount of arugula pesto--and I fell in love with it. Yummmm. There were nights I thought it was even better than the "regular" basil pesto.

And I certainly understand the "old lady recommendation" (though I don't think of it as that!) to chop and freeze or can! We froze some stuff last year and it was great. I've never tried canning before... should try it.. hmm..

[zard.livejournal.com]

I am part of The Food Project, but that's up in Lincoln. Apparently there's a list of people who want to share shares. I also just joined the Chestnut Farms CSA, which is a meat share, and I pick up in Arlington. I didn't have to stay on the waiting list, even though their site says there is one.

I'm blogging what I get in my shares, if you're interested:
http://farmshare-csa.blogspot.com/

[natef.livejournal.com]

Coincidentally, I also get both Chestnut Farms meat and Food Project produce. And I was also at the open house. I assure you guys that the animals are well treated (and taste good). Here's a pic of a chicken driving the bus.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

Me too..I had fun wandering around the farm at the open house.

[zard.livejournal.com]

Oh wonderful. Love the chicken! Let me know if you want to swap emergency/vacation pickups since we're at the same two farms.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

I had joined Chestnut Farms Meat CSA in April and was on the wait list for 2 months. Maybe June was the expiration of a few other subscriptions. I created a feed for your other blog. If you want your other LJ friends to follow on their Friends page, send them to http://syndicated.livejournal.com/zard_csa/

I still need to post about my first pickup :)

[zard.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the feed, didn't know how to do that.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

You have to have a paid account to create a syndicated feed. but you can also request someone to make a feed for you at syn_quest

[topsyturvytempo.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I might have to look into getting a meat share next year...