Friday, August 15, 2008

Second thoughts on continuing my CSA

We're at the halfway point with my subscription with our CSA, and I'm becoming less and less enamoured with the whole thing.

According to the harvest calendar, here is what I should have been able to sample at some point in the last few months:
  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Boc Choy
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Collards
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Endive
  • Green Beans
  • Green Onions
  • Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Herbs: Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Thyme, Parsley, lavender, chamomile, garlic chives
  • Hot pepper mix: Cayenne, Jalepeno, Habanero, Serrano, Hungarian Hot Wax
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Melons
  • Mustard
  • Okra
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Radish (4 types)
  • Snow peas
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries
  • Summer Squash
  • Turnips

Sounds like a deal, right? It's a great opportunity to try a lot of things that perhaps you wouldn't have the opportunity to at the store or farmers market.

Here is my reality: A small sampling each week - not enough to make a dish of anything (i.e. three red potatoes) of:

  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumbers
  • Green Beans
  • Green Onions
  • Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Herbs: Basil, Dill
  • Lettuce
  • Mustard
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Radish (1 type)
  • Snow peas
  • Summer Squash

In other words, maybe half the variety that was advertised. Yes, we've had some wierd weather, but it's frustrating. Just about everything except for the mustard greens I could have bought - for far less, mind you - at a farmers market in the area. I don't want to say I've been duped, but I'm certainly giving second thoughts as to whether to do this again.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

[ Link to CSA's harvest calendar removed on Jan. 30, 2009, following multiple negative communications from their organization. ]

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