25 Comments:
just joined harmony valley farm csa from wisconsin. they have several drop off points in the cities. it looks pretty decent and they have a long schedule. this is my first year with them so I cant review their service/quality but they have been doing this for a long time.
»» Submitted by bonita buttrell at 6:34 AM on April 22
we just joined featherstone farm. they have many drop sites in the metro area. first year with them as well, but the pics of last year's boxes look pretty good...and not too many kohlrabi, unlike our last year's farm!
We just joined Featherstone as well, JohnJohn. It's our first year. I picked them because of the selection, and because of the floods that hammered the Rushford area last year.
This will be my third season with Harmony Valley. I buy beef and coffee from them as well. I highly recommend them for quality and value. Obviously the season starts off slow, but by August you'll be eating 5-6 veggies a day.
link
»» Submitted by »»» jeffpaz at 10:33 AM on April 22
One of my very favorite things to do is go to the farmer's markets on the weekends. Does having the CSA keep you from going to the markets? Also, do you find it to be a massive quantity? Has anyone here ever done one who lives alone?
»» Submitted by »»» RPepper at 10:41 AM on April 22
cjc and I joined a CSA last year. It was a very bad experience. The CSA folded within a month.
DON'T GIVE MONEY TO HIPPIES. Make sure your CSA is actually run by farmers or has been in business for awhile.
We are taking a year off and will probably go back to one next year.
»» Submitted by »»» kc! at 10:47 AM on April 22
Wow... Featherstone must have done some great marketing. We just joined another friend to split a chica share of Featherstone's produce. (And that friend was neither johnjohn nor derusha.) It was between them and Harmony Valley, but Featherstone's Minnesota roots and promise of rhubarb and strawberry tipped the balance.
We've been meaning to do it for 2 years and finally got around to it this weekend. We used the Land Stewardship Project's 2008 CSA directory to find a good one that fit our needs re: quantities (not too much), price and drop-off locations.
Can't say yet whether it'll keep us out of the farmer's market or not, but really our neighborhood market in NE isn't that great anyway.
»» Submitted by Jared at 10:54 AM on April 22
We split 3 shares here at work between 6 of us from Footjoy Farms.
Its the fourth year and it is a great place. They even drop off at our office downtown. Here is a partial list of items over the last few years.
Memorable items:
purple fingerling potatoes
micro basil
cuke nuts
hen of the woods mushroom
yellow watermelon
little canteloupey things
a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes (including white!)
the biggest butternut squash I've ever seen
goat milk ice cream and the big gallon of milk
fresh chicken eggs
All this along with tons of shallots, garlic, herbs and salad green every week. Good hardneck garlic!
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 11:04 AM on April 22
I'd like to do it, but unfortunately, I cannot eat a lot of those veggies.
»» Submitted by »»» aliecat at 11:19 AM on April 22
Harmon Valley! CSA all the way, support local agriculture and other things!!!
Woo-Hoooo!!
My gf and I also have a plot in a community garden. So I can be that much more of a localvore!
F*ck produce from Chili and Mexico, I want my tasty fruits and veggies local.
On another note, Happy Earth Day everyone!!!
I would be excited to hear what people are doing for E-Day. I am planting trees on the greenway on sat.
What is everyone else doing to keep our state/planet pretty? I would like to hear about actual volunteering and not just personal choices.
Also, does anyone support environmental non-profits. I want to start giving my $$ to them but don't know which one to chose. NDRC, WWF, Friends of BWCAW all seem like great choices.
»» Submitted by »»» vlado4 at 11:30 AM on April 22
Michael Pollen article in NYT
A good article arguing for CSA and growing your own food.
Also, a bonus to local food is that you know what is happening with it. I recently read in NYT, that mexican produce does not have the same regulations as in the USA, and massive amounts of pesticides and such are used. That is one of the top reasons I go local, accountability and a working relationship with the producers.
Did I mention I am a Wedge Co-op member as well?
»» Submitted by »»» vlado4 at 11:34 AM on April 22
We're also splitting shares at work (five of 'em I believe) from the Women's Environmental Institute. I've never used them before so I cannot comment just yet, but I am excited! Especially since they're dropping the goods off at our office.
»» Submitted by »»» sharyn at 11:36 AM on April 22
I've really wanted to try a CSA for a while now but since we got a house with tons of gardening space I can't really justify the expense.
Is there such a thing as an egg or meat CSA box?
»» Submitted by jimn at 12:02 PM on April 22
jimn,
I know that harmon valley offers a Cheese CSA and Meat CSA option.
Don't know the details, but I am interested in trying them.
Also Cedar Summit farms sells awesome grass fed meat. Oh yeah, really want it. The delicious grass fed burgers are soooo tasty.
My goal is to do 90% of my food shopping locally (IA,WI,MN,SD,ND) at least during the summer. Winter is a different story.
Probably will try to do 98% USA grown all year round.
»» Submitted by »»» vlado4 at 12:25 PM on April 22
Common Harvest farm for many years now
Also just joined Featherstone. My first time joining a CSA.
»» Submitted by »»» miller at 12:39 PM on April 22
We have been with Harmony Valley for a year, and will be a drop-off site this year (26th & Blaisdell area). They do offer a meat, cheese and coffee option. The produce is great, and organic--I was especially impressed by their integrity in dealing with the flood situation last year.
More info is available at the site:
http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/
»» Submitted by LisaDubbels at 1:02 PM on April 22
Can someone who has done cheese, meat and coffee shares elaborate. How much do those shares at Harmon Valley cost?
What do you get?
»» Submitted by »»» vlado4 at 1:14 PM on April 22
If you are like me and don't join a CSA because you won't be in town for a lot of the summer, check out the Produce Exchange at the Global Market on Chicago and Lake, and the meat and cheese stand next to them for local producers. The Produce exchange is moving produce that is still good, but too ripe to have a long shelf life at the co-op, so they have unbelievable prices. I just bought 3 large boxes of perfectly ripe organic strawberries for $3 this weekend.
WEI is a good operation.
»» Submitted by Joanna at 1:19 PM on April 22
We also just joined Harmony Valley, splitting with another couple. I just hope this doesn't end up like my Netflix or YWCA membership, with loads of uneaten veggies in the fridge.
»» Submitted by »»» moe at 1:21 PM on April 22
Re: Produce Exchange at the Global Market
We just bought two of those box organic salad mixes for $3.99 (two for 1). Normally they sell for like $7.99 each.
»» Submitted by »»» moe at 1:22 PM on April 22
Just so people are aware. The Produce Exchange is owned by the same company (J&J Distribution) that supplies Cub and many other grocers with much of their organic produce.
»» Submitted by jimn at 1:31 PM on April 22
I'm the CSA coordinator for Harmony Valley Farm. The coffee is 19 every other week deliveries, May-January. Fresh roasted, fair trade & organic - 1# a week for $180, 2# for $350.
Our beef comes in several pack sizes, starting at 25#. You can look at our delivery sites & pack descriptions here.
The cheese (new this year) will be 19 every other week deliveries, May-January & will feature a familiar cheese like cheddar, colby or mozarella; a unique veggie cheese using veggies from the farm & milk/cheese from one of the dairies we work with (maybe a Roasted Red Pepper & Onion, Horseradish Chive, Caramelized Onion or Dill cheese), plus a specialty cow, goat or sheep's cheese such as Fresh Brebis or Feta or Blue cheese.All the deliveries are $500 but we're doing a special introduction of the first 4 deliveries only for $100 - you must sign up by May 1 for that deal. Email me (csa@harmonyvalleyfarm.com) or check out our website!
Richard, the owner/grower, has been growing organic veggies since 1973 & has had the CSA since 1993! We feed a lot of people & I think we're pretty organized & do a good job packing & delivering boxes, as well as growing delicious & nutritious veggies.
»» Submitted by terri k at 1:43 PM on April 22
I'll be starting my 3rd year as a Harmony Valley member. I split a share. You have to commit to eating real food, and allow for a year or two to get used to really eating seasonally. But then it's easy, and the produce is so much better!! It now seems really strange to go to the store for vegetables. I have learned how to make jam, freeze some things, give away the few items I just can't stand...I think any of the CSAs are going to be great; it's just a matter of personal preference. I love that Harmony Valley is well organized and has a really long season. I tried the fruit share the first year, but I just really don't like fruit that much, so I just stick with the veggies. The Land Stewardship Project has links to all the area CSAs. I see Terri already posted. I know she would be happy to answer any specific questions you have, as would I. Good luck deciding!
»» Submitted by »»» chrsteen at 3:04 PM on April 22
Did WEI (Women's Environmental Institute) last year and it was disappointing. A couple of heads of cabbage a week and more kale than you can imagine. Very little by way of variety. Because I am a glutton for punishment and they drop off a block away from me, I am going to give them one more try this year.
»» Submitted by BawkBawk at 6:42 PM on April 23
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