Five Reasons to Join a CSA & Four Recommendations {Friday Five}

I appear to be cursed by evil computer spirits - my brand new laptop, to replace a laptop that died in November, stopped functioning this week. I was prepared to write about our first venison, food not lawns, and winter chickens this week. Instead, because I am sharing time on the family computer, you get a (relatively) quick and dirty post. Be back soon...I hope?

sunny tomato

The CSA (Community Support Agriculture) model is one that most people shopping the farmers' are familiar with: for an annual price paid to the farmer, you pick up a weekly share of the harvest. Though it may seem early to think about summer tomatoes, farmers are pouring over seed catalogs and CSAs are already filling.

Five Reasons to Join a CSA

1) CSA shares include the cream of the crop. Farmers truly want to satisfy their customers and usually choose the best produce for their loyal CSA customers. You'll get the freshest picked, highest quality selection every week.

2) No worries about selling out or cash. Thanks to growing demand for local foods, many farmers sell out of their most popular items. A CSA guarantees you the primo vegetables without concern about the timing of pickup or having enough cash to make your purchases. Sleep in - your CSA share will be available.

3) Healthier eating. It's harder to throw away a vegetable that's languished when you've seen the farmers' well-worn hands and noticed their sleepy eyes. You feel obliged to eat or preserve the food more than when you buy anonymously-raised produce at the grocery. Usually, this results in incorporating more vegetables into your diet, which is always beneficial.

4) The varied selection is a culinary challenge. Because CSA farmers know they must have something to share every week, they plant a wide variety of crops. If there wasn't enough rain in a given week for fat peas, the share will include daikon radishes. For a curious eater or experienced cook, this mystery bag of ingredients is a way to expand your cooking methods and palate, all while appreciating the challenges nature throws at farmers. There are no meal planning ruts for CSA shareholders because every week contains a new variety of vegetables.

5) A CSA purchase provides valuable stability to an otherwise manic business. The farmers I know are truly working for a love of earth and good food, not a love of money. The cost of land, equipment, labor, soil, and seeds is barely enough to allow for a modest income, and what does come in is usually highly seasonal. Operating a CSA allows farmers to earn income when they most need it in the beginning of the season for start-up costs and provides a guarantee that some or most of their produce will go to willing customers.

Central Ohio 2013 CSA Recommendations

Sippel Family Farm - I bought produce from Ben and Lisa all summer last year and their food is top notch. All grown on their farm, the vegetables and fruit (apples!) are produced without synthetic chemicals through smart seed selection, crop rotation, use of compost, and meticulous labor. They offer a full share for $680 (can be split into five payments) and pickup locations in Clintonville, Worthington, Westerville or the farm. You can see a bit of the farm in my Kokoborrego Cheese Tour.

 Bird's Haven Farms - Located in Granville, Ohio, Bird's Haven is run by a family of well-educated young farmers backed by the experience of their parents. Bryn and Lee, brother and sister, grow everything they sell (ask farmers about this - some supplement with auction produce) using sustainable practices like high tunnels, hand-weeding, compost, and physical weed suppression. Their CSA offers a stunning array of options from a small 11-week share of produce for $208.55 to a 'little bit more' full 21-week share for $550.96 with coffee, bread, eggs, cheese, meat, and grains optional add-on from other local businesses. Pickups are available in Granville, Bexley, Westerville, New Albany, or The Limited offices. Last year I picked the best strawberries of the season at Bird's Haven and am still hoarding their berries I froze.

Sunny Meadows Flower Farm - In a twist of the CSA concept, Sunny Meadows offers a frequent buyer card. For $120, you get 11 $12 bouquets good at any market. This flexible system offers the same stability to growers Gretel and Steve but with more wiggle room for those who don't want to commit to a weekly pickup. Their beautiful, heirloom-variety flowers are grown sustainably in south central Ohio. They're offering a gift bag of Gretel's soap and herbal tea to those who purchase before markets open in April!

Swainway Urban Farm - This list would be incomplete without the farm I work with. We offer organic mushrooms and microgreens year-round with select field vegetables grown in Clintonville. Our winter CSA is already in full swing and not accepting new subscribers. We are working on a summer offering that will appeal to those who like to sleep in on Saturday mornings, as our mushrooms usually sell out within the first two hours. Here's my Swainway tour from 2011.

Have I convinced you to shop around for CSAs? Or are you already a subscriber?

Franklin Park Conservatory Farmers' Market

franklin park farmers' market There's a new farmers' market in town at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Franklin Park Farmers' Market manager Leslie Markworth shared that "The Conservatory has been teaching people about the benefits of growing their own food since 2000 with the start of its now nationally known community gardening program Growing to Green. In 2009, the Conservatory opened its four-acre ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden Campus, a living classroom and community resource for anyone interested in gardening and edible landscapes. In 2010, the Conservatory expanded its nutrition outreach efforts and began offering on-site culinary and nutrition classes. The Farmers’ Market was the natural next step in the Conservatory’s educational outreach efforts, while ultimately increasing access to fresh, local food."

Open Wednesdays through October 17, 2012 from 3-7 pm, Lil and I shopped on opening week in early June. The market is located on a shady path in front of the Conservatory building just off Broad street. Ample free parking is available along the entrance drive and in lots. Guests can find restrooms and a water fountain on the Lower Atrium level of the Conservatory, admission not required. sugar snap peas from natural grower

The vendor selection is small but well curated with ample fruit and vegetable, flower, baked goods, and handmade products stands and grains from Shagbark Mill. The Conservatory hosts a booth with information about their classes, events, and weekly raffle; on the day we were there, Lil was thrilled to pick up a mini-greenhouse. Food carts and trucks visit each week to provide guests with meal options too.

franklin park info stand

Though we were leaving for vacation the next day, Lil and I couldn't help but pick up the first blueberries of the season and a Soodles Bake Shop cake pop.

soodles and co gluten free

Shoppers would be remiss not to wander the gardens during their visit to the market. Benches are scattered throughout for visitors to rest and enjoy their purchases.

Upcoming Events: Weekly: Spend $5 at a featured vendor and receive a coupon for free admission to the Conservatory June 27th: *The Very Hungry Caterpillar visits the Conservatory’s Grand Atrium, 3-5 pm July 4th: RMT Songs of America, 4 pm July 18th: Flavors of the Harvest - sample recipes from the harvests at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Campus. *Inside the Conservatory, admission required. All other events free.

franklin park tents along broad streetIf you go:

  • Bring cash, as most vendors do not accept other forms of payment.
  • Plan to stay awhile to enjoy the entertainment, gardens, and food trucks.
  • Carry a reusable bag to bring home your goods; consider a cooler in the car if you are travelling far.
  • Read my article on how to Shop The Farmers' Market Like A Pro for my complete list of tips.

Franklin Park Conservatory Farmers' Market Wednesdays 3-7 pm through October 17 Conservatory Drive just off 1777 Broad St. Columbus OH 43203 Weekly details on Facebook and the Farmers' Market web page

May Events: Plant Sales, Pecha Kucha, and More

The growing season is beginning and gardening and eating events are blossoming too! Fill your calendar with local food events and your tummy will thank you later. unfurling grape leaf at home

Farmer's Markets The Clintonville and North Market farmer's markets begin this weekend, April 30. I defer to the very thorough list of markets on Columbus Underground for details about the many (yay!) other markets around the city.

Cook and Learn with Rachel I will speak about knowing your food at Pecha Kucha Columbus Vol 17. Held on May 12 at Eartha Limited from 7-9 pm, I will join a handful of other presenters to show twenty slides and talk for twenty seconds about each. Truthfully, I'm out of my mind nervous to talk in front of the hundreds of people likely to show up. Come and support me, please? There's free beer for your $2 donation...

Two of my May cooking classes at Franklin Park are already full. Sign up soon for the preschool Eggs class and look ahead to June's Honey and Berries if you don't want to be left out.

I have had requests for more canning and charcuterie classes. Email me if you are an interested party so I can get an idea of what kind of space I should reserve to spread the love of preserved food!

Plant Sales Chadwick Spring Plant Sale - May 6 and 7 on Ohio State Campus. Trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and garden supplies.

Biological Sciences Greenhouse Fundraiser - Preview May 2-4 (coupon required, print from link), general sale May 6. Annual flowers, veggies, and herbs.

Worthington Plant Fest - May 7. Heirlooms, annuals, and perennials including seedlings from our friends at Swainway Urban Farm.

Food and Dining Tomorrow night, Thursday April 28, is the Capital Area Humane Society Celebrity Chef event. I will be there to chat up chefs and support one of my favorite charities! Tickets are available at the door for $60.

May 1 marks the first First Sunday at Jorgensen Farm. Each month will feature a farm market and farming activity suitable for families.

Saturday May 7 is the Spring 2011 Market to Market Ride including Columbus Crave at the Hills Market.

Slow Food Columbus is hosting a potluck on Mother's Day, May 8, at Pleasantview Farm. Visit their events page for details.

On May 12, sadly opposite Pecha Kucha, Taste of Dine Originals hosts their annual chef's tasting event at Grange Audubon Society.

Columbus Food Adventures premieres their Gluten Free Dessert Tour on May 14. On May 24 they will give a tour of historic restaurants, details TBA.

The Columbus Food Forum continues on May 16 at Wild Goose. Stay tuned to their facebook page for free event tickets.

Clean out your pantries for the first Cbus Food Swap on May 21 at Wild Goose!

The North Market's annual fundraiser, the Apron Gala, is Saturday May 21.

What food related events did I miss? Comment and I'll add them!