CSA Report: Dancing Hen Farms Week Four
Monday, July 06, 2009
Check out week four of my share from the Dancing Hen CSA*. Nothing makes it more clear that we’re now officially in summer than the fact that we’re seeing more squash and less delicate lettuces (the heads of lettuce I did get this week are hearty and crunchy). I got a pound of string beans (which I promptly combined with another bundle from the Fair Food Farmstand and turned into four pints of Dilly Beans), a bag of mixed lettuces, one bundle cookable greens (I’m not sure what kind I got, and I’ve misplaced the paper that could tell me), one bag of mixed braising greens (which I braised with onion and a splash of white wine), a bundle of swiss chard, several heads of lettuce, three yellow squashes and two cucumbers (that still have those lovely prickles that mean they’re straight from the field).
Some of you might remember that when I posted my CSA report last week, I expressed some unhappiness with my share. Since then, I’ve been reminded of an important CSA membership truth. At its core, CSA membership is not about the vegetables. You buy a share because you’re committed to supporting local agriculture and the survival of the independent family farm. The produce just happens to be a nice perk of that pledge of support. If your farmers do well during your membership, you benefit. If they don’t do as well during your season, well, that’s just the risk you run when it comes to agriculture. If you’re not willing to take that risk, save your money and shop at your local farmers market instead.
I feel ashamed that it took a call from Don, my CSA’s farmer, to be reminded of this essential CSA fact. He and his wife came across my blog post, and were so dismayed that one of their members was unhappy that they called to check in, at the end of what was for them a very long day. Don, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that I very much appreciated that you reached out. Your action renewed my faith in the Dancing Hen CSA and has helped recommit me to the act that is joining a farm share.
*I pick up my share on Thursdays, the holiday weekend totally threw off my rhythm as far as posting a report is concerned.
Posted by Marisa on 07/06 at 09:49 PM
Aww, I’m so happy you posted this! Being a CSA participant who also has received tons of greens (I never thought it was possible to eat so much kale and swiss chard) its important to remember that is the point of a share, to assume the risk. I feel for my farmer much more, who had to worry all June about the fields being to wet to even get a tractor in. I really appreciate the acknowledgment!
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Nice post. I completely agree. That being said, we dropped our CSA this year and decided to show our commitment by shopping at farmers’ markets. I know that it’s not bearing the same kind of risk and support as a CSA, but we had lots of food waste with our CSA (we don’t eat at home often enough to use it all and never gave it all away in time). I felt guilty seeing that good food go to waste.