Comments on: Let’s talk about CSAs http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226 Minneapolis + St. Paul Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:11:27 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: BawkBawk http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-158517 BawkBawk Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:42:07 +0000 #comment-158517 Did WEI (<a href="http://www.w-e-i.org/" target="_blank">Women's Environmental Institute</a>) 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. 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.

]]> By: chrsteen http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157961 chrsteen Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:04:38 +0000 #comment-157961 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! 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!

]]> By: terri k http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157905 terri k Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:43:24 +0000 #comment-157905 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.<br /> <br /> Our beef comes in several pack sizes, starting at 25#. You can look at our delivery sites & pack descriptions <a href="http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/GrazierBeefOrderForm.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a><br /> <br /> 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 <a href="http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com" target="_blank">website!</a><br /> <br /> 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. 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.

]]> By: jimn http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157895 jimn Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:31:42 +0000 #comment-157895 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. 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.

]]> By: moe http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157877 moe Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:22:32 +0000 #comment-157877 Re: Produce Exchange at the Global Market<br /> <br /> We just bought two of those box organic salad mixes for $3.99 (two for 1). Normally they sell for like $7.99 each. 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.

]]> By: moe http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157875 moe Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:21:03 +0000 #comment-157875 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. 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.

]]> By: Joanna http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157874 Joanna Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:19:02 +0000 #comment-157874 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.<br /> WEI is a good operation. 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.

]]> By: vlado4 http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157867 vlado4 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:14:51 +0000 #comment-157867 Can someone who has done cheese, meat and coffee shares elaborate. How much do those shares at Harmon Valley cost?<br /> <br /> What do you get? Can someone who has done cheese, meat and coffee shares elaborate. How much do those shares at Harmon Valley cost?

What do you get?

]]> By: LisaDubbels http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157852 LisaDubbels Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:02:35 +0000 #comment-157852 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. <br /> <br /> More info is available at the site:<br /> http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/ 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/

]]> By: miller http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12226#comment-157833 miller Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:39:04 +0000 #comment-157833 Also just joined Featherstone. My first time joining a CSA. Also just joined Featherstone. My first time joining a CSA.

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