To CSA or Not CSA, That Is The Question
Last year, as some of you may recall, I joined a CSA, specifically this one. I received a slot last year at the last second, after sitting on the waiting list for awhile and decided to split the vegetable share with a share partner and purchase a single fruit share just for me. I reasoned that I would probably take home a lot more vegetables than I could eat and so sharing seemed like a good idea.
I have received a few e-mails recently alerting me to the fact that registration is now open for returning members. I have until March 12th to decide whether or not to sign up and then registration will be open to new members or people on the waiting list from last year, etc. I’ve been waffling back and forth about whether or not to sign up so, I come to you, Internet for help.
I know a lot of my readers travel over from my cousin’s blog so if you do not chime in on this post, I AM GOING TO BE VERY UPSET because I KNOW you green people are reading, I KNOW YOU ARE. So, what do I do?
Let me give you some more information.
The CSA pick up fell on Thursdays last year, between 4:30 and 7:30 pm. I found this extremely difficult at the beginning, considering I usually had work until 5 or 6 and then class that night or a social commitment. I think for the first half of the summer, my friend JK picked up my vegetables and fruit and for that, HE DESERVES AN AWARD. And by award, I mean he should never be asked to do me any favors ever again.
HOWEVER, I can actively make the choice this year to keep Thursdays free thereby ensuring that I will be around to pick up my own stuff every week. I discovered about halfway through the summer that I really enjoyed the routine of the CSA pick up. I liked picking up my share and then coming home, figuring out recipes to make for the week, trying to find room in my fridge for all the greenery as my roommate stood in the kitchen observing, “OH. YOU WENT TO THE FARM AGAIN TODAY, DIDN’T YOU?”
As someone who really thrives on a full schedule, the CSA actually forced me to NOT make any plans at least one day a week and have an evening to myself or at least, a local evening in Astoria. This was a nice change from running from work to dinner with a friend in the city, etc. It allowed me to sit home and chill out or meet JK for some Thai food and “So You Think You Can Dance…” For other people, this might be how you spend most evenings. For me, it is an anomaly.
If I do decide to join the CSA again, I would like to re-evaluate my decision to split a share. I ran into a RIDICULOUS AMOUNT of drama with my share partner. Since I usually got back from the city towards the end of the pick up, my share partner was always responsible for splitting up the vegetables and making sure things were even. She found this exhausting and annoying (particularly because she had two little kids, WHICH I DIDN’T KNOW until, like, August!) and I found it frustrating because sometimes I didn’t like the way things were split. By the end of the summer, we agreed that we would each pick up the full share every OTHER week but I hated this as well. I found that I ran out of produce by the end of the first week and had to spend money on veggies and fruit at the grocery store for the second week which kind of defeated the whole SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES AND BUY LOCAL point.
In short, I’m wondering if it’s better to just get an entire share for myself. The website clearly says that “Each share feeds 3-4 non-vegetarian family members. We understand that these shares may be too large for singles or small families.” The thing is, once I picked up an entire share for myself, it was gone by the end of the week with a few exceptions. (BEETS! AHHHHHHH BANE OF MY EXISTENCE!). So, this leads me to believe that while a full share might be too much for one “regular” person, a full share might actually be awesome for me, a crazy vegan who eats way more vegetables than the average Astoria human.
HOWEVER, it’s important to note that I eat way more produce than the average person if I like the produce in front of me. If you put out a plate of mushrooms, I’m probably going to stare at them and blink and then eat a cupcake instead. I like eggplant and tomatoes and cucumbers and zucchini and kale and all different kinds of lettuces and peppers and the problem with the CSA was that especially at the beginning of the summer, I received a lot of vegetables I did NOT enjoy. (See also: beets, Swiss chard.) I told myself it would help me branch out and try new things however, it didn’t. It just reinstated that I really don’t like beets or Swiss chard.
Is that reason enough to give up completely though? Is it worth it to miss out on those DELICIOUSLY JUICY TOMATOES and the crisp fresh basil and the warm zucchini bread I baked and the eggplant lasagna I made?! OH LORD! IT SEEMS AS IF MY HEART IS CALLING ME BACK TO THE CSA!
And yet, a full share for me full of Swiss chard and beets just…seems wasteful. I live in New York City and while I occasionally dropped off some of my uneaten veggies at the park last year, a lot if just went into the trash. I also don’t know if it’s entirely legal to surreptitiously dump some veggies into a flower bed at the public park. BUT HEY!
So, we have kind of a waste/compost problem should I decide to take on a full share myself, particularly at the beginning as the veggies kind of…suck. (Also now that I think about it, they sucked at the end too…just…way too many potatoes.) There is also the element of cost (MY GOD THIS BLOG IS GETTING LONG AND I’M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING PLACES TO INSERT WITTY JOKES TO KEEP IT INTERESTING). Last year, I paid $260 for my half of the veggies and $150 for my full fruit share. This year, should I hog a whole veg share for myself, it would be $670 total. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
This makes me cringe but ALSO: they offer payment plans. The full amount is not due until the middle of May. I can also rationalize it by thinking about the time and money saved at the grocery store all summer long. For a long while last year, the only things I needed to purchase on a regular basis were beans, pasta and tofu. So, hmmm. It’s not that much money considering my monthly budget for food is $400 and this would be $670 spread over 26 weeks.
PHEW!!!!!!!! SO MUCH TO CONSIDER.
And so, Internet, I turn it over to you.
Do I…
1) Sign up for the CSA, split a share, same as last year.
B.) Sign up for the CSA, get a FULL share, eat so many vegetables I explode.
3h.) DO NOT sign up for the CSA and find other ways to eat local.
For this last one, I have thought many times about skipping the CSA and relying on the Union Square farmer’s market. The problem is—the only day I can get to the market is on Saturday mornings before I babysit the twins. This is not impossible of course but hard for me to commit to. I usually spend Saturdays cleaning the apartment, working out and then heading down to Battery Park City to babysit. So, I would need to really allot some time to get to the farmer’s market and then haul my purchases down to the twins’ house. Not impossible but not…entirely likely. HOWEVER, maybe it’s worth the commitment because I can select which vegetables I want thereby reducing the wasting of beets and Swiss chard.
Anyone?
Any other options I’m missing besides G) Never buy local at all ever or 15.) Move out of NYC and get a damn house with a garden so you can plant whatever you want.
SIGH. WHERE IS MY HOUSE? WHERE IS MY GARDEN? WHERE IS MY MONEY?
So, okay fellow readers. To CSA or Not CSA?
A prize to the person who makes this decision for me.
And no, the prize will not be a bag full of beets.
okay, so I think you should not join the CSA and these are the reasons why:
1) There will always be drama when sharing
2) It will be entirely too much if you take a whole especially with the vegs that you don’t like, imagine all those beets, swiss chard, and how many ways can you cook pots? Too much waste
3) You cleared Thurs for picking up can you do the market then? If not if it is truly important to you you will find time to do it otherwise.
4) Do you just want it because once you let it go it would be a problem to get it back you know want what you can’t have? Honestly?
There you have it—-
Is the Greenmarket really your ONLY farmer’s market option? I realize that you live in the Big City and I live in Hillybilly Land, but girl, we have like 85 farmer’s markets in Madison and I know Chicago does, too. Like, each neighborhood has its own. Can you research to see if there’s a smaller market in Queens that will be easier for you to visit, but where you can still get fresh, local produce that you select yourself?
This link is grotesquely out of date, but may be a good starting point… http://queens.about.com/od/shopping/a/farmers_markets.htm
To jump on Laurie’s suggestion, you should go here to see the Greenmarkets in Queens. Lo! There is one in Astoria! You can also get a map!
That said… I loved my CSA and Brett and I can’t wait to start up again because going to the market is just harder for some reason. I also liked the community that I felt a part of within the CSA. I also (also) think that maybe you could find someone who is as committed as you are - Alayna, maybe? - who would be a GOOD sharer, and would HELP you instead of SCREW you. Which is always good.
Jo - I hear you. The more I think about it, the more I think that a lot of vegs will go to waste should I invest in a full share. Eeek. The Farmer’s Market @ Union Square is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays in the summer so yes, only Saturdays are an option!
THANK YOU LADIES! I really do believe that Madison and Seattle and wherever are way better about green markets than NYC. The issue is that the only Astoria green market listed on that site is open on Wednesdays from 8-4 which…only works if I get laid off. The other Queens locations are pretty far and not really feasible except Long Island City which IS open on Saturdays? Maybe but still…somewhat far away. So, ugh. Back to the drawing board. Keep the suggestions coming.
I’ll take a bag of beets
Anyway, I think that you should join CSA again. I don’t think you should split a share, simply because of all the drama. Couple of questions:
1. Have you asked the CSA if they would be willing to sell you a smaller share? The farm I go to has two sizes for CSA, small and regular. I sign up for a small one which is enough for me and DS.
2. Have you asked the CSA if you can substitute one veggie for another? When I go to my CSA, if I really don’t like something, they let me switch it with another veggie.
I’m sure you can find other ways to eat local besides CSA, but I find it so much easier to just join. Perhaps you can give your unwanted produce to a friend for a small fee? I sell some of the extra things I get to friends and family.
Good luck!
I’m not qualified to answer this question as I sit here with my Big Mac and laugh at you.
However, despite my lack of qualifications, I shall answer anyway.
I suggest a four-step process:
1) Do a test run to the Union Square Farmers Market this Saturday.
2) See how much of a hassle it is.
3) Make up your mind based on the degree of hassle.
4) Call Tim. He’d love to hear from you.
Step four is optional. Carry on.
Hmmm… I vote for buy a house and plant what you want.
If not, can’t you split the share with your roommate? Would that be easier? Or with a friend that likes beets/chard/etc.? That way you can divide by who likes what.
I agree with trying out the market this weekend, and for a few weeks (if it’s going on, ours here are closed down) to see how you like it. My vote does NOT go to the grocery store!
I do realize that it is hard for a single gal to eat locally. My husband and I find it hard to eat everything we grow, so I can imagine it would be when you really have no control over how much you get each week. However, keep in mind that you can preserve (freeze, can, etc.) what you don’t eat that week. You can ask us all for help when that time arises, too.
As regarding the beets/chard issue:
My CSA has a “share” box, where members leave items they don’t like and take items they do like. You are not required to leave something if you take it, or vice versa. However, you could always put the beets/chard in the box for some beet-lovin’ member to scoop up, and then help yourself to other items you might like if/when you see them left there. If your CSA doesn’t have something like this set up, I would see if you could suggest its implementation.
As to the crazy share-sharer situation:
Do you have a friend who lives near you who might want to go in on a share? That way you would still be getting the same amount of produce, but without the added benefit of crazy. Or could you ask the CSA if they could pair you up with a more like-minded/like-scheduled partner, for both of your benefit? Granted, the CSA might not have the salient info to do this, but it can’t hurt to ask, right?
Go CSA!
I for one think you should do a CSA again, even if it’s not the one next to my apt. You always seemed really excited about getting your veggies. (And I didn’t mind getting them, it allowed me to become other people. One week I was your brother, the next week I said you were my baby’s mama, another week your greek lover). I do think you should not do a share, because that was wack. Perhaps I am secretly hoping that you do another share next to me so we can guarantee endless nights of “so you think you can dance”. Whatever you decide to do, I support you!
-the wito (aka JK)
I wished I lived closer and could share it with you, but alas since I live in the Wa Heigh it might make it difficult. I think you should keep in mind that every other Saturday you work later in the afternoon which gives you ample time for the Union Square farmer’s market. Although the best stuff does go early… Maybe you should just keep the CSA. The money is reasonable with or with out the share. Do you feel like sharing? Cause sometimes I don’t.
You lost me at “My food budget is $400 a month.” For one person. Remind me never to move to the city.
Olga/Fellow NYC-er - Sadly, this particular CSA only offers one size. However, I have no idea if they have a sort of “share box” where you can swap out what you like or don’t like. I don’t remember this from last year but I think I’m going to e-mail them and ask to see if that’s an option. That would certainly change a LOT if only because it would make me feel better about leaving some unwanted or extra items behind.
Tim - I promise I am in the middle of e-mailing you back RIGHT THIS SECOND. And a test run to the Farmer’s Market might be in order though I’m not really in need of anything at the moment since it is winter time and the pickins are slim.
Abbie - I just bought a house and planted a garden last night so, ALL DONE!
Just kidding. It IS hard for me as I am one person and I find that my roommate is not such a beet/Swiss chard fan either so…it’s hard. WHERE CAN I FIND A HUSBAND TO SHARE A CSA WITH!? Damnit. I really need to look into preserving/freezing this year should I choose to do the CSA. I wasn’t able to do much last year, just freeze some zucchini for bread, etc. It was a lame attempt, I will admit that.
JK - I’m so glad you were able to play so many roles. The Baby Mama is my favorite. You were an expert at splitting up the veggies, that is for certain. Either way, we shall always have So You Think You Can Dance, CSA or not. DO NOT FEAR.
Alayna - Yes. You are too far away. It is so sad. You are CORRECT! I do work later every other Saturday so that makes it easier. It would also eliminate my usual weekly drive which would be good for the environment but harder for other reasons I will refrain from going into here.
And truth be told — I really don’t feel like sharing this year. NOT AT ALL.
Roxanne - Worthy to note that my food budget is for groceries AND eating out. I know that still might seem high to you, I’m not sure what you spend. I do eat out a few times a week…blame the city living. But it’s usually cheap. (Well…cheap for NYC…)
I did read that the average American spends about $10 a day on food so multiply that by 30 days and tack on some New York City inflation and my budget is about average. I guess? Maybe? No? Anyone?
Yes, the pickin’s will be slim, but I think you should give it a whirl. It might make your dilemma much easier to solve once you see how easy it is. Or how easy it isn’t.
On the note of beets - I adored beets as a toddler. They were probably my favorite food. That seems slightly bizarre to me. I could take ‘em or leave ‘em now.
As for $400 a month on food, that sounds about right considering how much eating out you do.
I like that share bin idea! You need to get that going for your CSA!
I vote for quitting the CSA with no guilt. Life’s too short to waste on some dillemmas.
I’m with Oldnovice. Go spend your time doing something else for someone else…and enjoy the fact there are organic products available. Maybe someone else may need to use the CSA this year instead of you. And someday you can focus on a lovely garden when you have your house and family.
Oh Mom. Only you could so adequately make me feel inadequate for joining a CSA. Sigh.
So? What was the verdict?
Roxanne! Verdict to come in a post! Probably tomorrow! In short, I opted not to join but am on the wait list for a cheaper CSA closer to my home. Right now, I’m just waiting to see if I get in! UGH!