CSA Box - Week 1

Yay! It is time. Our CSA season has started. We switched to a new farm this year. We found one a bit closer, and in the perfect location to easily combine our farm pickups so that we can get eggs, dairy, meat and veggies all in one big loop each week.


We did visit this organic farm many times last summer to get a feel for them. Last week we finally had a farm open house, and then this week our first box! I can't wait to see what we get each week - a full season from our home garden, local farms and our CSA!

In our box this week: spinach, leek, spring onions, garlic ramps, kohlrabi, radishes, strawberries, fennel, kale, cilantro and 2 types of head lettuce!

CSA Box This Week

One of my favorite things about Thursday is stopping at farm stands on the way to and from the CSA pickup. Each week we expectantly look on whatever table is set out front to see what is ripe and then stop to pick out some extras to supplement our weekly box or get goodies in season to preserve. Today we visited 3 farms.



We first stopped for our CSA box. Just down the road we stopped to buy some apples and pears. Our last stop was for mushrooms, onions and carrots! I like visiting each week to discover what is fresh and ready - I like not knowing in advance exactly what we will have, and then seeing what we can make with our haul!


In our CSA Box this week: lettuce, tomatoes, romano beans, napa cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, radishes, beets, carrots.


In our box this week last year.

CSA Box This Week

It is Thursday again, which means a drive out to the farm to pick up our CSA box. We are at peak right now, so have so much summer in one box, it seems. We also take the rural route home (well, they are all rural, but the most direct is 11 miles and all farm roads) so that we can stop at our favorite farms along the way and see what they have out on their farm stand tables.

Our first stop was new for us - we saw a sign for organic heirloom produce and had to stop. As we looked at the amazing and ripe selection of gorgeous heirloom tomatoes and squash, the farmer and his son walked down to greet us. This is one of my favorite things about on-farm farm stands and rural Wisconsin. The farmer introduced himself, shook hands, asked our names, and chatted a bit. I always know what is coming next and I enjoy the banter - "Where you folks from?". We give a major crossroads, we get the acknowledgement that we do indeed live close by and are locals. We talk about what we are going to make with what we are buying and what should be ready by next week. We wave goodbye, and you bet that farmer remembers our names when we return. Each time we stop at a farm stand it is the same. It is like we are participating in a ritual that has been going on as long as there have been cars to widen the circle, and bring more people from towns to the farms.


Our next stop was to pick up a few dozen ears of sweet corn - pulled from a wheelbarrow in the barn, put the money in the box. This bounty of summer fills our car and I love the calm of washing and bagging and prepping each thing when we get home. I know I will think of these days when I am pulling jars from the basement or bags from the freezer in January as the snow blows outside!



Our CSA box this week: broccoli, brusselini, onions, peppers, tomatoes, 2 types of lettuce, basil, fennel, green beans, cabbage.


See what was in our box this week last year.

CSA Box This Week

Thursday was a big produce day for us. We picked up our CSA share, and on the way home stopped by a few farm stands to get a few more in season goodies - like sweet corn and early apples! Our garden is going strong too, so we had many peppers, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes from our yard. It is a lot for one day, but I find it easier to prep it all in one sweep - cleaning, cutting, blanching, bagging, freezing, canning...so good!


Our CSA box this week:
tomatoes, peppers, garlic, fennel, romanesco, broccoli, basil, and beans!



In our box this week last year.