Monday, October 21, 2013

Who's Your Farmer?

 

Good question isn't it? Unless you grow your own veggies or make it a point to eat local most folks have no idea where their food comes from never mind when broccoli or asparagus is in season. If you go by the produce section in the supermarket every thing's in season year round' and we've gotten used to the convenience and wide selection of fruits and vegetables that are available to us. But at what price to our local farmers and our over all health? Locavores are coming out to the farmers markets and supporting local farms and businesses in increasing numbers all across the United States for a variety of reasons. Some people just want to feel better about what they put in their bodies. They KNOW eating fresh, local and organic, and GMO free is what's best for them. Others want to participate in the cycle of farm to table on a local level. They want to keep their hard earned dollars in the community by supporting local farmers and in turn reap the benefits of being able to choose fresh, local produce, dairy and meats over mass produced food and in- humane treatment of animals raised for food consumption. They want to KNOW their farmer.

I'm happy to report that last week I was introduced to 30 local farmers by two of my enterprising farmgirl friends, Pam and Charlotte of South Shore Organics, in Hanover, MA. After visiting their store a few weeks ago in preparation for an upcoming ( in depth ) article in MaryJanesFarm I just had to learn more!

Pam and Charlotte
  I attended a local locavore meeting where they spoke about their passion for organically grown, GMO free ( clean food ). They are pioneers in the concept of home delivery CSA and the only one of their kind in Southern Massachusetts. 





 Behind the farm-stand storefront is where all action is. 

 Local produce is picked and delivered the day of packing and boxes go out the following day to be delivered to your door!
 After getting the tour and tasting some of the yummy fresh produce I came home and immediately signed up for service. The website gives you several basket size options to choose from as well as how often you want to take delivery. Once a week, twice a week, once every three weeks or once a month. We chose to have delivery every three weeks to start.


I've already unpacked my box and stored my veggies away but this partially filled box ( pictured above ) gives you an idea of the variety of foods that go in to one delivery.

Here's what I got in my box called Humble Harvest

Humble Harvest - $45
2lb Sweet Potatoes (SG), Local
1lb Parsnips (SG), Local
1 head Celery (SG), Local
8oz Habanero Peppers (OG), Local
1 head Cauliflower (SG), Local
1 Butternut (SG), Local
1 bunch Kohlrabi (OG), Local
1 head Lettuce (OG), Local
5 Bananas (OG, FT), Imported
1.5lb Spencer Apples (IPM), Local
8oz Cranberries (OG), Local
1 bunch Tatsoi (OG), Local
1.5lb Zucchini (SG), Local
3 D’Anjou Pears (OG), US

I am so excited about this service not only for the convenience aspect but because I  feel good about supporting my local farmers. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction knowing I play a small part in helping local farmers grow and sustain their livelihood. Everyone benefits! Plus, my teens are eating more veggies too.. I'll keep ya posted with some of the new recipes I'll be trying too! Oh, and did I mention I'm learning new things too! I had no idea what Tatsoi or Kohlrabi was until last week!

I encourage you to do a little googling and see if you have such a service in your area! Even if you grow the bulk of your veggies and put up your harvest you could still EAT FRESH during the winter months!

  Another great resource for finding out who your farmer is are the Edible Communities Magazines. Can't find one for your area?  Start one! 

5 comments:

hensintheorchard.blogspot.com said...

This is such a good thing helping farmers and getting all your fresh veggies. I will visit you again. Enjoy all that lovely veg. Sarah x

Country Gal said...

This is wonderful good for you guys ! We get ours from our local farmers as well and it is so worth it for us and for them ! Next year Papa and I are growing some of our veggies and my in laws do the same next door so between all of us we will share and divide the veggies as we all wil grow different ones . Thanks for sharing ! Have a good week !

Prairie Barbie said...

Love this post! Spead the word about BETTER food and where to find it! I am "your farmer" here in Central Montana and am grateful for this medium to getting the word out, that there are alternatives to industrial agriculture!

Junebug said...

I have a local farm stand that I get a variety of veggies that I don't grow. But I have been eating Kohlrabi since I was a kid. It was always in the garden and my brother and I would go pull one out and have Mom wash and peal it. Fresh raw and right from the garden, yum, yum. We always thought it was a treat. Little did we know it was organic and good for us back then! It is in my garden every year and I still enjoy it!

daisy g said...

What a fantastic service! We've enjoyed getting to know our local farmers and now I'm volunteering for them on weekends! Enjoy your basket, Deb!

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