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buffettbride wrote:

rednekkPH wrote:

buffettbride wrote:

rednekkPH wrote:Jeez, what yuppie came up with this idea? Sounds like the same kinda people who think condos are great living...

Within 5 miles of my house, I can buy produce from at least 15 different roadside farm stands, and there are 5 farmer's markets within 20 miles.

And I dont have to pay any $500 co-op fee either.

We have gobs of farmer's markets where I live and several stands during the summer. What we don't have gobs of is time, though, and I spend just as much $ in gas driving around to stands and farmer's markets. When I priced out the delivery to my house, it is no more than what I'd spend trying to pick out all that stuff individually.

Plus, it is a bit exciting not knowing what fruits/vegetables for which I have to conjure a recipe. I mean, what isn't fun about figuring out what to do with a bundle of kale, 5 zucchini, and 2 kiwis?

Therein lies another problem - 98% of vegetables sukk. I'd rather pick out the 3 or 4 that I will actually eat, and just pay for those.

Poor Garrett can't live on scrapple alone, sweet Frankie.

Well, I guess he's SOL then, huh?

I think CSAs accomplish a couple of very good things.

By buying shares, you are supporting a local farmer who is growing food much closer to you than the stuff you buy in the supermarket, thereby eliminating the problems caused by trucking produce hundreds or thousands of miles (burning fuel, CO2 emissions, chemicals added to make veg look 'fresh'). Directly investing in small local farm producers keeps them in the game against large corporate farms.

Also, you will have a much better idea what has been done to your food before it gets to your table. Many CSAs have a work component that allows you to offset some of the cost by volunteering on the farm. You will know whether your veg is really organic (if that's what you want) and what has been done in the way of treatments (if you care).

Two more things to consider.

At many farmers markets around the country, you will frequently find produce that has been purchased from a large food wholesaler (same place the supermarkets get it) to be resold to you at a 'farm stand'. It wasn't grown by the person selling it to you - probably a big corporate operation somewhere (maybe Mexico).

The organic produce you see at some large chain supermarkets doesn't really qualify as organic, but there is no regulation that I know of to force compliance to a certain standard. Your only recourse is to check labels and look for the certification seal of a legitimate organic growers organization.

I just have to ask. Am I the only one that read the title and didn't think of food?

ph4ever wrote:I just have to ask. Am I the only one that read the title and didn't think of food?

No