This is the diary of our CSA share this year. The cost of a full share is $545 for 22 weeks (this CSA offers a winter share) which will bring us to the last week in October, and works out to $24.75 per week. Western New York weather is such that June is lightest CSA month. September and October will be more than abundant! Usually I feel I don’t get my money’s worth the first few weeks (which will be predominantly lettuces), but the fall bags more than make up for that.
It was extremely hot here this past week… 90s every day. That is very unusual in Western New York, and believe me, we whined. But, apparently, the fruits and vegetables love it! Our CSA said some produce is a few weeks behind, but a few weeks of warm dry weather will help a lot.
This week Hubby and I went together and went out in the U-pick section. We grabbed rhubarb, some flowers, and some parsley. Now that we know what is out there, I can pick up alone as long as Hubby gives me a list. Besides the multitude of flowers, there were green beans and just about any type of herb you could imagine available.
What we ended up with this week:
● Cabbage
● Fennel – which Hubby loves! Look for a recipe in the coming weeks!
● Parsley
● Radicchio
● Rhubarb
● Scallions
● Snow Peas
● Sunflowers
● Zucchini
Also available that we didn’t take:
● Cucumbers
● Garlic Scapes
● Kale
● Swiss Chard
● Yellow Squash
If we hadn’t gone out to pick, the bag would have been pretty small. Due to the horrible weather we’ve had so far this year (tons of rain), this CSA has not been worth the weekly cost to date. We shall see if it picks up as the weather dries out.
Do you belong to a CSA? If so, what type? How much? Do you find it as worthwhile as I do?
● Past CSA Shares
● Find a CSA
● NYS Fruit and Vegetable Harvest Calendar
● US Agricultural Data
Shell says
I see you passed up kale this week and I was just wondering if you have ever tried kale chips? If not you really should. They are very easy to make and very good. You can have them with a little salt or use other seasonings if you like. They are good for you and also a good crunchy snack, if you like crunchy stuff.
Ann says
If you say so, Shell. It honestly isn’t something I am interested in, but I will suggest it to Hubby – he may want to give it a go. And of course if he makes it, I will probably try it.
Ann
KimH says
Looks like a nice bag and those sunflowers are so pretty.. I cant believe we’re in Week 7 already. Yum, I love fennel too!
I pick up my share this morning as we fly by on our way out to Geauga County, Amish Country for the day. M’honey’s oldest daughter, her hubs, & his niece are in town & the day trip is a part of an annual migration we always make, and especially make when Jenn is in town. Then we’ll attend a graduation party for some family out there in the afternoon.
My CSA bag last week started changing some.. I was quite glad. I got green beans, a big juicy cabbage, rhubarb, blueberries, onion, tomato, pickling cukes & slicing cukes, zuchinis, basil, and lettuce.
Looking forward to todays share & adventure.
Have a great weekend!
acrossmypathtoday.blogspot.com
KimH says
I wanted to add.. Sometimes I think my shares are not worth the money I pay for them, but then I have to remind myself of several things..
1. Go to Whole Foods & price the same organic foods there.. Mine are certified organic and I know yours are without the certification but still organic. Organic is not cheap.
2. This is a CSA, not a big box wholesale club.. We are supporting local organic farming and we are supporting the cycle of life in so many different ways. The land, the farmers, the local food movement, our food is fresh and local which means the quality & nutrition is much higher than anything in any store, and its not sprayed with chemicals to keep it fresh on the shelf for weeks at a time. That is HUGE in my opinion.
3. When we’re eating organic we’re supporting our own life & our own long term health by eating fresh local food.
4. CSA shares sometimes take you out of your food comfort zone and get you to try new foods every week. There are some Im still not too fond of (Bok choy) but Im thrilled with everything else.
Im making sauerkraut for the very first time this week.. and I had the most juicy cabbage to do it with.. thats exciting to me.. 🙂
5. For me, this CSA brings me into contact with lots of other folks in the local/natural/organic food movement and that is huge and a big part of the reason I joined a CSA in the first place..
So, when I think about these things beyond “what I got”.. I realize it is indeed worth it.
Ann says
All good points Kim. For me, the value of these bags come in comparison to my old CSA which we left to try the new one. That also took us out of our comfort zone, was certified organic (this is not), and gave us at least twice the amount each week as we are receiving from this CSA. Oh and the last one cost half as much!
I have a feeling though, that my old CSA is the greatest CSA deal in the United States.
Ann
KimH says
I remember thinking your old CSA was the BEST I’ve ever seen too