The lion of March is becoming a lamb for April. Spring is officially here! The lasts gusts of cold wind are making way for daffodils, crocus and hyacinth, while fruit trees are setting their buds! Green signs of life are everywhere we look.
It's time to get ready for another incredible year with Circle Brook Farm CSA!
Runs weekly from June 14th - Nov 22nd
For anyone new to it, let's talk about the magnificence that is the CSA.
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.
It's a simple, but great concept. We want fresh, local, organic produce. Farmers want a successful year, but relying on stores to buy their crops means that, for one, it sits waiting and gets less fresh by the day, and two, depending on the weather conditions and demand, waiting for stores or folks to buy a la carte can be more risky. It also creates waste.
A CSA group pays the farmer ahead of the season, thus helping to keep the farmer secured regardless of conditions. In exchange for directly supporting farmers, CSA members enjoy a better price for fresh, in-season, organic produce, delivered weekly to their local collection point. We also cut out the middle-man of the grocery store, keeping prices lower, produce far fresher, and minimizing waste.
The CSA group is 100% volunteer run, by folks who are passionate about supporting local, organic farmers. You can feel good about your produce and where it came from.
There are a variety of sizes and packages to subscribe to, from smaller to larger, and flower, egg, and fruit shares as well! Here are some details. You can find more information on this website, at the home page, towards the bottom, you will see info for local CSA branches, and contacts for each. An application there will give you even more details.
But here is a small snap shot of what you can look forward to receiving for 24 weeks:
Share Options :
_______Premium share- $1040 +$15 member fee The biggest share with the most veggies, and seasonal extras that other packages do not get
_______Premium 1⁄2 share $520 +$15 member fee
This share is the same as the premium above, except it picks up every other week for 12 weeks total
_______Basic share-$860 +15 member fee
Certainly enough for a smaller family. About 80% of the Premium Share
_______Basic 1⁄2 share $430 +$15 member fee
Same as basic share, but picks up every other week for 12 weeks total
_______Pre-bagged Medium share-$690 +$15 member fee
Approximately 60% the size of the premium share.
_______Pre-bagged Medium 1⁄2 share- $345 +15 member
Same as pre-bagged Medium share, but picks up every other week for 12 weeks total
Additional Share Packages
_______Fruit $250 - 15 weeks +$15-member fee (no fee if an add on to above)
_______Eggs $135 - 24 weeks +$15-member fee (no fee if an add on to above)
_______Mushrooms -$240 - 24 weeks variety of blue, yellow oysters, lions mane
_______Flowers $100 - 10 weeks variety of Snapdragon, sunflower or mixed
Get ready to sign up for the 2024 CSA!
Runs weekly from June 14th - Nov 22nd
Now that you know all about the CSA, find your local CSA drop off and send in your application to sign up!
You can find more information on this website, at the home page, towards the bottom. You will see info for local CSA branches, and contacts for each. An application there will give you even more details.
In the meantime, While we are stuck buying from the grocery store, I'd like to share with you what I have noticed is cheap this season, and Ideas for using them!
Pineapples, Fennel, Carrots, Onion, Celery
Pineapples are on sale lately! I found some at different stores ranging from $2 - $2.99 each. And to top it off, they were delicious!
Pineapple fried rice is terrific! Or Dice up pineapples with kiwi, grapes, oranges and grapefruit and toss with fresh mint for a fruit salad out of this world! Or, try this sweet and sour pineapple stir fry! Use what's left of your pork roast from a couple days before to use up leftovers! Or if, like me, you skip the meat, throw in some tofu, tempeh and cashews at the end!
recipe here:
Carrots, Onion, and Celery They store well and are reasonably priced at the stores in winter. The star of most soups, your options are unlimited. Or roast along with your pot roast or chicken roaster. How about some slow cooker chicken noodle soup? Start in the morning and when you come home, dinner is just about ready!
And why not try this delicious, vegan pea soup that just dumps in the cooker and you walk away. Hours later, it's soup! And with a bag of peas costing around $1, it doesn't get much cheaper! If you make this at nighttime and eat it for breakfast, I won't tell a soul!
Plus, it also uses another item I have been finding in abundance at the stores: Fennel!
Fennel has been fresh and lush and bountiful at the stores lately. Why not try some roasted as a side dish? You won't regret it! In fact, I'm pretty sure you're gonnago out and buy some more. Besides, you need some extra to go in that pea soup!
Well, friends, that's all for today's post. Sign up with us at the CSA this season, and stay tuned for lots of recipes and ideas coming your way in this blog all year - not to mention a friendly, like-minded community who want to support a healthier way of living!
See you at the pick up!!!
Colleen