tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post7803957422410631630..comments2024-03-23T13:05:19.116-04:00Comments on Going Green in Indy: Pros and cons of staying with a CSARobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-40972465353224930092010-03-03T21:02:11.598-05:002010-03-03T21:02:11.598-05:00Tom, thanks for your perspective. Yes, I take it f...Tom, thanks for your perspective. Yes, I take it from a consumer perspective, particularly in this economy, as we each have to make our hard choices. <br /><br />If you've read other posts on my blog, you can see that I'm a huge proponent of locally grown produce and our organic vendors in town.Robbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-17240923182510760532010-03-02T16:36:20.371-05:002010-03-02T16:36:20.371-05:00Keeping in mind the reasons for joining CSA can he...Keeping in mind the reasons for joining CSA can help with weighing the pros and cons. <br /><br />The blog author seems to emphasize a short-term consumer-focused perspective.<br /><br />But what about the social and environmental reasons for doing this in the first place ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-89518902701201550842008-09-29T15:39:00.000-04:002008-09-29T15:39:00.000-04:00Sarah, thanks for your comment. I did get in touch...Sarah, thanks for your comment. I did get in touch with Homestead Growers, but they do not serve my part of the Indianapolis metro.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-26354794664986549732008-09-28T21:54:00.000-04:002008-09-28T21:54:00.000-04:00Hello, I've never visited your blog before. I foun...Hello, I've never visited your blog before. I found my way here from the blogs on the Great Lakes area APLS list. I live in the Indianapolis area as well, so I thought I'd share my first CSA experience with you. <BR/><BR/>I signed up at Homestead Growers. http://www.homestead-growers.com/ I chose that one because I didn't think about signing up until the last minute, and most places were full. They decided to expand last year, so they still had slots.<BR/><BR/>I was very pleased over all. I thought it was very economical. I signed up for a half share, which I think was $17 a week. I certainly felt like I got my money's worth, and I enjoyed the variety of produce. I especially enjoyed getting mushrooms most weeks.<BR/><BR/>We got plenty of tomatoes, peppers and lettuce, but we also got melon, eggplants, corn, cabbage, squash, green/wax beans, green onions, kohlrabi, beets, radishes, cucumbers, arugula, greens, apples, and probably things I'm forgetting. Of course, we didn't get these all at once, and some weeks were better than others.<BR/><BR/>Homestead Growers are not certified organic, but they use organic practices. Occasionally they supplemented the box with things from other Indiana growers, and they let us know when things were conventionally grown. The corn was for instance, and one week we got some incredibly tasty peaches that were as well.<BR/><BR/>Evidently due to the wet spring, the early boxes were less than usual, (no spinach, broccoli only once) but since I didn't have expectations on that front, I wasn't disappointed. At any rate, I was very satisfied with my first CSA experience, so I thought I'd share. Sorry about the long response!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-56411548154530263032008-09-27T09:32:00.000-04:002008-09-27T09:32:00.000-04:00From what I read on blogs, CSAs vary widely. The s...From what I read on blogs, CSAs vary widely. The small amounts of each kind of produce does make it harder to cook a dish featuring one particular kind of food. Everything tends to become multi-vegetable dishes.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry yours is not living up to your expectations. The more I read others' experiences, the more I realize I lucked out with mine. The farmer is great, the produce is usually in good shape, and it's year-round. <BR/><BR/>And, I'm extremely lucky in that I get to volunteer in return for my share so it does not hurt the budget. In your case, though, I'd say do the Farmer's Market.Chilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11406176434011890590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-11759061615300551252008-09-25T09:29:00.000-04:002008-09-25T09:29:00.000-04:00I'm glad to know not everyone has similar experien...I'm glad to know not everyone has similar experiences! I am heavily leaning toward next year not re-signing with Nature's Harvest and instead sticking with homegrown and the farmers market. If I need variety, I'm getting a good sense on which markets offer it, and if nothing else, there's always Fresh Market for rare occasions!Robbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-76420618843586836912008-09-24T14:25:00.000-04:002008-09-24T14:25:00.000-04:00A CSA is not for everyone. I have a friend who ha...A CSA is not for everyone. I have a friend who has a CSA. Her box is $30 a month and she gets about the same amount of food that I would get at a farmers' market or supermarket for $100. HOWEVER, it is very limited. She only gets what is in season at her farm - even if another farm in our 100 mile radius would have totally different produce. It works very well for her though because she is (1) a single working mom and (2) feels very connected with the farm and farmers.<BR/><BR/>I'd definitely suggest checking out your options. I have the time to visit my farmers' market every week but, if you don't, a CSA is a great way to eat local and support local farmers while enjoying fresh produce. Plus, it will definitely expand your cooking skilz.Green Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133847111288382381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780979693195745238.post-19616992644210561282008-09-24T13:10:00.000-04:002008-09-24T13:10:00.000-04:00I'm in agreement. The CSA we almost signed up for...I'm in agreement. The CSA we almost signed up for was quite expensive and from what I hear they didn't deliver the types of produce everyone expected due too weather conditions. I went the Farmer's Market route as well as getting some produce through my local food club that bought a couple of shares to sell through the club. I think I will do the same next year! Great post for those looking for the pros and cons!EcoBurbanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14931648017376435556noreply@blogger.com