Solution - subscribing to a CSA box. I checked out the site Local Harvest and entered my zip code. There was only one option that would work for me (I don't drive to work, so I'm pretty limited on the pick up locations I can reasonably use) so I'm now subscribing to the South Central Farmer's Cooperative. Until recently, they were located right here in LA, but they were forced to relocate to Bakersfield. So, not exactly local, but still better than some of the alternatives (and only $15 a week).
It's such a fun approach to veggies, because we'll get to try new things and I won't have to do too much shopping. I'm planning to make a quick trip to the store each week for basics like milk and eggs, but we'll eat out of the box as much as possible.
Last week we got: baby red potatoes, red onions, kale, lettuce, tomatoes, summer squash (zucchini, yellow zucchini and patty pan squash), beets, and carrots. Perfect for my favorite penne recipe, and I'm itching to try this salad, this torte and this orzo.
No CSA near you? Want veggies delivered straight to your door? You could take green LA girl's suggestion and try ParadiseO. Type in your zipcode on the main page to see if they deliver to your area. I was seriously considering this option, but the delivery day in my area is Sunday, and I'm frequently out of town on the weekends.
We joined a CSA this year... (we had to pay for the whole year in advance last winter... but it was about the same as you pay weekly) and I love it! We have to pick ours up at the farm (no drop offs like a lot of other CSA's do) - but it is so fun to show up each week and see what they have for us!
ReplyDeleteyum! i love CSA boxes too, especially because they force you to find creative solutions for cooking with vegetables you might not be used to! yours looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteafter hearing your description of this amazing service, i might have to give it a try!
ReplyDeletethat is a really good price for a CSA! i'm afraid of CSAs because they are expensive here in nyc and I don't think I'd be able to eat all the veggies before they go bad, so i just go to the farmers market to pick and choose what i need instead.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great! I'm going to be a student in the LA area starting next month and going through a whole eat-and-exercise-right makeover ( i guess you can call it that, haha). I've started going to farmer's markets for a variety of good food and this sounds like a service I would love to try!
ReplyDeleteI use spud[dot]com, and they deliver to my area (near Pasadena) on Wednesdays. I love it!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, thanks for posting this! I'd never think of getting veggies delivered to my door, and I know the hubs + I need to start getting healthy, but (although this is not an excuse) our schedules are just so crazy, grocery runs don't happen frequently. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I've been hemming and hawing over subscribing to one of these, and I should really just get my act together and do it. It looks like such fun!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Rachel, we've had organic box schemes in the past but unfortuanately the quality has been pretty poor. Your box looks lovely and fresh. Ironically as we live in the countryside it's harder to get good vegetables as it's nearly all sheep around here on the hills not food!
ReplyDeleteMmmm! I'm SO DOING THIS!
ReplyDeleteI wish our CSA's were that reasonable!!! They are close to $500.00 here. I have just made a commitment to go to the Farmer's Market every week and try new veggies instead. It makes for a fun Saturday morning (or Tuesday evening).
ReplyDeleteI love the South Central Farmer's CSA. We've been getting it for about 8 months... and I'm loving the summer goods! It's definitely a fun challenge using up all the veggies in one week... :)
ReplyDeleteDelicious! I'm going to look into something similar here.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to do this but since it's just me in my household, I'd never be able to eat all those veggies!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about this but never knew how accessible a farm was to where I live (outside DC)!! I am totally doing this. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteI've been in an organic co-op for a while and I love how it forces me out of "vegetable box." I'm more willing to try something new if I already have it on hand.
ReplyDeleteOh man, my CSA is like, the best thing that ever happened to me. It's so completely amazing, and we're eating so much veg we wouldn't ordinarily try. Plus I'm making stuff I'd ordinarily just get at the store, like pickles and slaws. So good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info! This might solve the pickup time/place mini-problem that prevents me from joining a CSA on my radar. I don't drive to work, either. Do you find it difficult to carry the CSA box (looks big, I've already got my books and knitting for the bus)?
ReplyDeletewe can walk to our farmer's market, so i feel lazy signing up for a CSA, but when we can't go to the farmer's market...we have no veggies!! so i'm tempted...
ReplyDeleteMy friend does this and loves it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this - I wish my brother (room mate) wasn't so picky so I could do it.
ReplyDeletegreat veggies
I absolutley HAVE to try this! Thank you for the tip I am indebted to you!
ReplyDeleteWOW. I've never heard of this, but what a fabulous idea!
ReplyDeleteI live in Madison WI where CSAs are thriving. They even have an umbrella organization that coordinates with local health care providers to offer a healthy eating rebate of up to $200 per family a year. The same organization raises funds to assist low-income families who want to eat fresh foods.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the details at CSAs Madison Style at my blog. I write regularly about what I am learning and doing on my 44 acres.
Healthy eating for everyone!
Denise Thornton
http://digginginthedriftless.wordpress.com
Great idea! You will be so happy with your fresh produce.
ReplyDelete