Whole Foods & Trader Joes Can’t Compete!
June 29th, 2009
The beautiful weekly bounty!
Eat local. You’ve heard it several thousand times and you know why it’s right – for you and for the environment. But, particularly for those of us in NYC, we rarely find ourselves in rolling pastures (other than Sheep’s Meadow) and public transport doesn’t have a direct route to farm country. Enter Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). This year marks the first year I have participated in a CSA and it is a practice I will partake in for the remainder of my days (ughum, ok, years) in the City.
Each week I stop by a church near my apartment in the afternoon to pick up a glorious supply of produce, including vegetables and fruits, farm-fresh eggs, and non-homogenized milk and yogurt. In the first two weeks I encountered vegetables I have never seen nor heard of before, like garlic scapes and lamb’s quarters (a green with absolutely nothing to do with the furry friend), let alone ever eaten or prepared. Each week is a new adventure, almost as if I am a forager from the distant past, except surprising finds are delivered to me. All for a little under $25 per week. Pure joy!
Now all I need is some sun to balance out the rain for my window sill herb garden.
If you are interested in finding if a CSA is available near you, visit the Just Food website.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
yummy yummy, as I eat my salad. I’m going to join, maybe they even have stuff my dog can eat, are you getting a commission from them, you should.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
This sounds great! I am also a big fan of the Union Square farmers markets. Where can you go to participate in CSA, or are there specific locations you recommend?
June 30th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I was just talking to my husband this past weekend about joining a co-op. Last year I went to a seminar in Woodstock, NY and all of the refreshments provided were AMAZING and from a co-op. After watching the movie Food Inc. I am completely convinced to look into one or a CSA in Westchester County. I have already gone onto the just food website and am inquiring tomorrow about the specific details. Thanks Danelle for reminding me and of course providing helpful resources.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Generally, CSAs require you sign-up in the winter or early spring ahead of the harvest so the farmer can make projections about crop outlays. The Just Food website referrenced above is a great site for anyone in NYC looking to sign up for a CSA. No commission, just love spreading good ideas about how to eat and live well!
July 6th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Thanks for this amazing and hearty info. I love it. I am trying to sign up for the downtown CSA for when we move to Tribeca this week. I was a little worried about getting healthy food down there without having to pay the Whole Foods prices. This is such a find!! ~ I am also surprising my husband next week and taking him to the “Farm to Table” dining experience being held at Rockefeller Center next week. ( I found it through the CSA link: http://katchkiefarm.com/?page_id=126
The next one Katchkie Farms is doing is next week at the 30 Rockefeller roof deck and garden. As this is not open to the public, only for hire, I’ve always wanted to experience it. I’m so excited for our romantic evening that will be filled with nutritious food as well. Thanks Fine Balance Wellness for opening my eyes to another amazing New York experience that not only feeds my body, but my soul as well. … Maybe I’ll see you there! We’re the happy newlyweds, hard to miss!
July 15th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Went to the Farm to Table – eat local event tonight at 30 Rock. So fantastic! It was really fun learning about all the food that is made locally. The 5 course meal was all prepped within a 100 mi radius of Manhattan. Totally a dining experience – and the local was a memorable one as well. thanks for tipping the conversation Fine Balance. Met the person there in charge of the Tribeca CSA and they are going to place us on there event hough it’s full… great result!
July 26th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Amazing. I’m defintely going to do this. Thanks for sharing this valuable tip.