Summer CSA decisions. The Sandy Spring site went live today for summer sign ups. I have been considering a switch as I am doing the early bird spring Breezy Willow CSA, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the summer.
Sandy Spring has changed what they offer. They now offer a 60% share for those who don’t want all the veggies we get in a full share. No having to split a box anymore. For me, the drawback of that share is this simple fact stated on the web site. No exotic veggies in the 60% share.
If you aren’t into things like salsify, horned melon, black radishes, Jerusalem artichokes, tatsoi, and a myriad of other items, you now can get what I call plain Jane veggies and fruit. No strange herbs either.
We signed up today. Mainly because we like the challenge of strange veggies. I did a boatload of research before deciding. Looked at blog pictures, and read what was offered elsewhere in Howard County. In the end, the challenge won out.
It does mean I have two overlapping weeks between Breezy Willow and Sandy Spring. I may be taking things to the food bank. Or, doing a fair amount of freezing items.
I still will be buying Breezy Willow eggs, meat and ice cream at the farm or the market. I decided against fruit, egg and cheese shares from Sandy Spring, and will buy those items at the Howard County farmers markets, and at the farms themselves.
Besides, it looks like we won’t have the big garden this year. I need to build a new one that will get sunshine. Our current garden is now almost completely shaded. That means, buying tomatoes to freeze.
It is time to start planning for summer. Many of the local CSAs fill up quickly. Check out what is offered, and think about bringing locally sourced foods into your home.
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AnnieRie Unplugged 
Just signed up for ours. I got the 60% share, since Steve isn’t a huge fan of some of the summer veggies (zucchini for example). But I did add on the cheese share, could not resist that (even though I should!)
We are going with BW again. The proximity to home & goodies like eggs & bread are too good to pass up. I really miss Gorman Farm, but try to visit once a month during the season for their tomato & pepper variety.
We thought long and hard about this decision. In the end, the variety won out. I reviewed all the pictures on Kat’s blog, kitchen scribble. If I had a family with picky eaters, BW would be perfect.
I like getting kohlrabi, pak choi, tatsoi, komatsuna, and all the really interesting hot peppers. With all the farmers serving a very diverse market in Philly and NYC including Brooklyn and Harlem, they have really pushed their production in new ways.
I love that challenge to make new dishes.
I will still buy my eggs from BW at the market, and head up to the farm for ice cream, honey, meats and her specialty items.
I do love Stone House bread, thou, and will use them the eight months of the year that they are at the markets, or parked at TLV.
Isn’t it great, though, to have a few really good CSA’s to choose from? And suppliers of other things that are relatively easy to obtain? Makes eating locally pretty easy.
I was SO disappointed with the first CSA I tried, it really tainted my opinion of them even though I completely believe in the concept. I come from a family of small farmers and truly believe in supporting them. Thank goodness for your blog, Annie, I realized that my bad first CSA experience was NOT the norm !
I signed up for the One Straw Farm CSA again. My husband and I enjoyed their produce last summer. They offer a $55 discount when membership is paid in full before March 1.