(lovely photos from Sleeping Frog Farms)Even though The CSA concept has been thriving since the 60's-70's; I somehow missed the memo! What a brilliant way to eat locally and organically in an economical way while supporting local enterprise & family run farms!
I love the idea of eating locally and have tried here and there to adopt a more conscious way of shopping-but have found it to be really difficult on an Artist's budget (Translation: Penniless.) and in the Desert. I love the various spices and prickly delicacies that the desert has to offer- The roasted chilies out here are the best I've ever had. Although, I learned that New Mexican green chilies are quite different from their bland Californian cousins. I grew up believing that GREEN=MILD. (The joke was on me!!!)
I am really looking forward to experimenting with Mesquite flour/meal.
Scraping The Skilletmesquite flour pancakes
It was much easier to find local, organic, in season produce in California. (easier but not nescessiarly cheaper!) I do miss shopping the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market in my more flush days! It was a bit of a Snob-O-Rama but the selection was/is? wonderful! Who wouldn't want to savor a brioche while perusing quail eggs! (The Bay Area must be taken, at times, with a grain of salt!!) The 'other' side of the tracks was no less bountiful-so many side of the road produce stands! Cherries, artichokes...right from the farm. (Still suffering from homesickness.)
I became so thrilled when I started researching a couple of the farms near Tucson which are offering CSA shares. I've been looking at Crooked Sky Farms & Sleeping Frog Farms. I would love to have a garden of my own; I miss digging in the dirt and tending to my plants. I worked for two different Nurseries in my youth and have spent many a happy day weeding & pruning. I really want to start a couple of raised bed gardens in my tiny back yard but it has become such a huge & insurmountable project that I'm fearing it may not get off the ground any time soon. Same story with the process of obtaining a plot in a community garden. The idea of becoming a CSA share holder is so perfect for me right now-I love the idea of receiving a box of fresh, organic, in season local produce (and goat's cheese) every week. (for about $20-30 a week.) What a great way to diversify my menu. It's got to be a much healthier way to eat-more variety & exposure to things I might not gravitate to in the store. Love that it forces a weekly exercise in creativity. Here is a turnip-how are you going to prepare it!!??! Just like the good ol' Art School days where I had weekly assignments which kept the creative muscles warmed up. I really love to cook but have fallen out of the habit. Can't wait to get this going-Have to wait until May! Phooey!
Who's your Farmer?
Farmer Frank Martin owner of Crooked Sky Farms
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