Farmer's Market at your doorstep--year round

[joylewis.livejournal.com]

I just found out about a veggie co-op service that delivers year round in the Boston area with different options (full box/half box, 2/3 veggies, all fruit, fresh baked bread, etc.) Haven't tried it myself but I'm interested and wanted to spread the word and also get feedback from anyone who's used it.

Comments

[magid.livejournal.com]

I get a small box, 2/3 veggies, every other week (check my journal on alternate Wednesdays for a listing of what I get, if you like); it's a bit different from the official listing due to what I've said I never want to get). I'm debating either going to every week or the larger box; I eat a lot of produce.

So far, I like the service: they bring it to my house, and include recipes, and everything's certified organic. In season, they have a preference for local produce, but I didn't have this during the summer (I had a farm share), so I don't know how much is local then.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

what farm share did you have?

[magid.livejournal.com]

[Guh. LJ ate my first response.]

Last summer I had a share with Re-Vision Urban Farm (based in Dorchester, some veggies from Drumlin Farm). The two summers before that I had Waltham Fields Community Farm. I've put lists of what I got in my journal each week (Wednesdays), if you want to see approximate quantities, distribution.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

many thanks!

so...

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

what exactly is a farm share?

Re: so...

[magid.livejournal.com]

A farm share is about 20 weeks of produce (usually mostly veggies, around here) from a local farm, which you pay for in advance (or pay over the season). Each week you pick up (either at the farm or at another location closer to your house) the produce that's ripe that week. Early in the season, it's mostly lettuces, herbs, and other greens, while later on you're more likely to get tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, garlic, peppers, squashes, etc. I like it because I know I'm supporting local agriculture, most of the farms that do it are organic or use organic practices, and the veggies were picked that morning. Some farms are also invested in being socially responsible, getting fresh food to food pantries, or teaching people about agriculture, etc. (Both of the farms I mentioned above are googleable).

Hope this helps.

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

i read the lists in your lj... you seem pretty informed about this so i wanted to ask some questions.

does the produce seem to last for the full 2 weeks? i've got a roomate, so i think if i did this, probably the best idea would be to share the big box every 2 weeks (although maybe if she isn't interested i would still do the small box for myself). i'm also wondering about the cost, like how much more we would be spending getting this vs. just doing our normal shopping at the grocery store.

do you find that you have to supplement a lot still?

is the farm share better?

ok i'm sure i may ask more later :)

[magid.livejournal.com]

The produce doesn't last two weeks for me; I eat a lot of produce. That's why I'm considering switching to a larger box or delivery every week. Though I generally do have some fruit that makes it the whole time; I seem to be more of a veggie person these days. I have friends, a couple plus a toddler, who get the larger box every other week, and they're happy with that quantity.

Cost: it's not always easy to compare, since stores don't always have organic produce, and they don't always have some of the funkier things I've gotten (sunchokes come to mind). I think it's more useful to compare to local farmer's markets; the farm share has always been a bargain compared to getting the same stuff at a market. I suspect Boston Organics is, too.
(FYI, there's a farmer's market Wednesdays in Davis in the summer.)

I still have to supplement, especially onions (I put onions into everything, so even if I get a couple, it's not nearly enough). On the other hand, I get to use whatever comes; it's kind of fun to figure out how to use what shows up.

Farm share vs. Boston Oganics: I haven't done both at the same time. The prices are about comparable for a small box. Boston Organics has said they have a preference for local suppliers when possible, while the farm is, obviously, local. And I want to support local agriculture. Farm produce is also picked that morning, while Boston Organics' stuff may be in transit for a few days. Farm shares involve picking up from some other location, while Boston Organics delivers. So I'm wavering about what to do this summer.

[easy-wind.livejournal.com]

i tried it for a few months. wasn't overly impressed. some of the quality of the fruit wasn't all that great. also, my girlfriend is a painfully picky eater which limited our options.

it's a great idea and well worth supporting... maybe it just wasn't right for us.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

I've been so curious about this for a while, I hope someone offers feedback :)

[seaweedgirle.livejournal.com]

I use Boston Organics. Everything is efficient. The produce lasts a while. They rock!

[rikchik.livejournal.com]

I use it, it's pretty good. One caveat - they'll be leaving a box of produce outside your door on a weekday, so unless you're home that day it'll be sitting outside for a while. This is usually fine but in extreme weather (like last week) some of the food can be ruined before you get home to put it away.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Dunno if you're comfortable with it, but they do offer to bring the box into your building or apt; they're bonded to accept keys.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

I used this past summer, and loved it. I stopped because I couldn't really justify the cost for my budget, but if I had the money, I'd do it again.

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

how did you find the price compared with where you normally buy produce? i'm trying to figure out if this would be a lot more expensive for what they give you in a box.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

For the amount of food you get, it's comparable to the Star in Porter Square, maybe even a little cheaper. They give you a lot of food (I couldn't quite keep up with using everything before the next week's delivery came, but then again, I probably should have gone with the every other week option).

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I've lived with someone who had a farm share before, it was pretty awesome. Thanks for the link!

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

My roommate and I just signed up. We're very excited. Thanks for the post!

[neorock.livejournal.com]

Thanks for finding and posting this!