237167 Thu Jan 03 17:30:20 -0800 2002 28 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1257081 I take it as a sign of my progressing middle-age-edness (and a confirmation of my yuppie status) that I have been thinking lately of finding one of those organizations that deliver local, possibly organic, fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables to your door every week or so for a membership fee. As much as I enjoy shopping at Union Square every now and then, I don't really have the time to do it regularly and I (sadly) don't have the imagination to pick up new interesting vegetables at our local store and try to do something creative with them; but if they were thrust upon me with a recipe, I figure I would. A friend had one of these "produce subscription services" (or are they called produce co-ops?) while we still lived in Manhattan and swore by it. Any ideas about what might be available in Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill? Thanks! Thu Jan 03 17:30:20 -0800 2002 0 Katerina 1 1257083 well, there's 'urban organics' which are located in the slope but deliver all over brooklyn. we used them for a while and they are fabulous! of course, there isn't the biggest selection with winter vegetables. you can choose from different sized boxes and the delivery guys are great! also, why go to union square when there is a great greenmarket at grand army plaza? Thu Jan 03 19:35:18 -0800 2002 1257081 0 bean 2 1257090 The greenmarket in Grand Army Plaza is absolutely NO match for what is available at the Union Square market (even in the summer). The selection is just not as extensive and the prices are considerably higher than what is charged at Union Square. During the summer my husband and I make a point of shopping at the Union Square market and in winter we get great produce at good prices at Manhattan Fruit Exchange inside Chelsea Market on 9th Ave. in Manhattan. Fri Jan 04 09:51:19 -0800 2002 1257083 0 DeeDee 3 1257096 I agree about the Grand Army Plaza market being inferior to Union Square, and more expensive. I really much prefer the U. Sq., even though it's a bit of a trek from Carroll Gardens; at least I can take the F train to 14th Street though. I may try the Park Slope Co-op. Fri Jan 04 11:26:26 -0800 2002 1257090 0 Katerina 4 1257097 if you're willing to slip on down to the south side of the Park, there's a far, far better option--the Flatbush food Co-Op on Cortelyou Road. Wonderful selections, very fresh stuff and deep discounts for those willing to work a few hours per week. I first used it back in the mid-'80s when I lived in the area, and while I'm not a regular now by any means, I've stopped in a couple of times since fall, and it is still very nice... Fri Jan 04 12:02:20 -0800 2002 1257096 0 David Sprague 4 1257249 A handy way to get from Carroll Gardens to Grand Army Plaza, or the Park Slope Food Coop, is via the Union St. B71 bus. It runs every half hour from 6am (7 on Sundays) until 9pm. It goes to Union & 7th (the Coop) and to Grand Army Plaza. Get the schedule at the attached URL. This bus was my lifeline to the Coop while I was living in Carroll Gardens. Link: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/bus/schedule/bkln/b071cur.pdf Wed Jan 09 03:40:23 -0800 2002 1257096 0 Ken 5 1257263 Thanks!!! Wed Jan 09 12:37:42 -0800 2002 1257249 0 Katerina 3 1257101 While I'm pro-Brooklyn on most counts, I have to concede that the Union Square market offers the best prices and widest selection of all. I've tried the ones at Grand Army Plaza and at Borough Hall, but they are, at best, convenient. The Union Square Market is definitely worth the trip from Brooklyn. I must admit, though, I found some great purple kale at the Borough Hall market this past Fall. Yum! Fri Jan 04 12:47:38 -0800 2002 1257090 0 Brooklyn Boy 4 1257115 Ive shopped extensively both at Grand Army Plaza and Union Square (weekdays) for many years and see no essential quality differential and only a minor price differential. There IS less selection, but many, many high quality products are available in the brooklyn market. There are a FEW things and vendors in US (im thinking of day neutral strawberries, specialty hot peppers, quails and pheasants, that great pork sausage, the outrageously expensive oriental stand with greens and kimchee, some apple guys with great selections) that US has but Brooklyn hasnt, but we do have plenty of lovely greens, eggs, cider, peaches, fish, tomatoes, corn, bread, fresh cream, etc. Much at very good prices. Plus you can say hi to friends and neighbors instead of struggling through crowds and humping bags in the subway. Go early for the best selection. The food coop has some nice stuff, especially the produce selection, but when we went through the training it just seemed enormously complicated. I say if you are looking for an activity to get involved in that is a place you could do it. If you just want some good quality food and a simple lifeit will not be for you. Fri Jan 04 18:34:00 -0800 2002 1257101 0 jen kalb 5 1257150 I agree entirely about the Greenmarkets. Maybe the quiet Brooklyn life is ruining my competitive instincts, but I find Grand Army Plaza quite hectic compared to Cadman Plaza. There are more farmers at GAP, and more selection-- but, oddly, I think the cherrys and nectarines at Cadman are better. Come tomato season, the heirlooms are GAP are worth the trouble. Sun Jan 06 12:55:09 -0800 2002 1257115 0 Alan Emdin 1 1257084 If you're interested in variety and value, you really can't beat the Park Slope Food Coop. And there's lots of us creeping middle agers. Link: http://www.foodcoop.com Thu Jan 03 20:36:41 -0800 2002 1257081 0 Janet 1 1257087 We tried Urban Organics twice and were forced to cancel both times because of the poor quality of produce we received. The co-op is full of people who don't have the faintest clue what "cooperative" means. Small minded, bigoted, wannabe-liberals looking to get the best products for the cheapest prices and the least amount of work. Wouldn't take anything from the place if I were starving -- they probably wouldn't let me anyway as I don't fit their profile. Fri Jan 04 08:46:40 -0800 2002 1257081 0 gvalenti 2 1257092 "The co-op is full of people who don't have the faintest clue what "cooperative" means. Small minded, bigoted..." Are you referring to the Park Slope Co-op? Sounds like you had a bad experience. What happened? When we lived in the area, we loved it. Never had a problem. Have things changed since the expansion? I wish there were something like it up here in Maine. - VF Fri Jan 04 10:15:18 -0800 2002 1257087 0 VF 2 1257094 As a long time coop member, I couldn't disagree more with this comment. Great selection of fresh vegetables (among other goods) that I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. The fact is, the PSFC has all kinds of people as members - perhaps some are even small minded and bigoted. From my experience, this is the chance you take if you choose to actually participate in a cooperative venture. Overall, I thank God the PSFC exists at all......... Fri Jan 04 10:32:03 -0800 2002 1257087 0 polimorfos 2 1257098 Wow, that's a pretty strong condemnation. Would you care to tell me (us) what happened? If you don't want to post here, e-mail me - I won't tell. In fact, I doubt I'd become a member of the Park Slope Co-Op anyway, now that I've read the rules - I travel frequently, am not sure if I can commit the hours required because I do all kinds of other stuff on weekends, and as I don't have a car, schlepping the loads from Park Slope into Carroll Gardens seems like too much. (I take that walk often, but carrying a 10-lb bag in each hand is a little different.) I guess I was really hoping for a delivery service. Too bad about Urban Organics. Sigh. Fri Jan 04 12:08:36 -0800 2002 1257087 0 Katerina 3 1257103 We were impressed by the quality and price of the products during the introductory session and excited about joining. My wife is disabled and unable to be on her feet for an entire shift, but no one that we spoke with would accomodate her request to only work at a job where she could sit. All recommended that I work both required shifts. Because my wife works part time, mostly weekends, I work long hours during the week, we have a small child and the child care options at the coop are limited (to say the least), and we don't have a nanny/babysitter, working 2 shifts is not an option. All we spoke to were extremely rigid in their thinking and accepted no suggestions for compromise. In addition, we have several friends who are members and hear of things that are really unacceptable, including singling out people of color as shoplifters and making sure a special vigilence is enouraged and reluctance to grant special membership to families of firefighters from the local firehouse. Over the years, we've heard many more of these kinds of stories than ones that would/could outweigh any reason to be associated with this organization. Friends who still belong, have some ethical problems but find the quality and price are enough to remain. We simply cannot resolve the attitude to quality issue and choose to shop elsewhere. Fri Jan 04 13:22:15 -0800 2002 1257098 0 gvalenti 4 1257106 I hope people will not be dissuaded to experience the PSFC on their own and make their own discisions. I can tell you however, that a few of the accusations you made are not true. One of the things I enjoy about the coop is that it has many people of color in it's membership and organization. There has never been any "singling out" people of color as shoplifters. Concerning a workslot for your wife - why can't she work in the office where she can sit for the entire slot? As for the local firehouse, the PSFC has waived membership to all family members of the firehouse. There is hardly a day when somebody at the COOP does not annoy the hell out of me, but what it provides far outweighs the inconveniences. It's not for people who cannot deal with some annoyances, but I have never questioned the ethics of the people who run the PSFC. Fri Jan 04 14:30:21 -0800 2002 1257103 0 polimorfos 5 1257108 "There is hardly a day when somebody at the COOP does not annoy the hell out of me, but what it provides far outweighs the inconveniences. It's not for people who cannot deal with some annoyances, but I have never questioned the ethics of the people who run the PSFC." Why deal with annoying people just to buy produce when great produce can be purchased elsewhere at good prices and no hassle? Just a thought. Fri Jan 04 14:49:06 -0800 2002 1257106 0 DeeDee 6 1257114 "Why deal with annoying people just to buy produce when great produce can be purchased elsewhere at good prices and no hassle" A legitimate question. One, I have never seen produce this cheap, not to mention the fact that the turnover is fast (very fresh) and the variety of unusual items (usually prohibitively expensive) is great. I also like that the type of food that I like to buy - mostly organic and from small farms and manufacturers - is available under one roof. Lastly, I really believe in the COOP, how it is run, and its policy of promoting organic food and small farmers. When I speak of annoying people, it's mostly in jest. In reality, the PSFC is filled with great people, and the paid staff is especially diligent and hard working. It's just that some people expect to be served like they were at Dean and Deluca. The COOP is largely run by it's 5000 odd members. It's amazing that it exists at all! Fri Jan 04 18:00:01 -0800 2002 1257108 0 polimorfos 4 1257119 Can't imagine who you spoke to: the coop has always been liberal in granting a waiver of the work requirement, temporarily or permanently, for a physical disability. Until the renovation there wasn't an elevator to get you to that office job, but now there is. While it isn't encouraged, there is an option for those with crazy work schedules, a Future TIme Off Program, which allows you to "bank" work credit on a more irregular schedule. Child care has also been expanded recently, with the expansion of space. As others have observed, some members will exercise their bossy tendencies during their workslot, but I just ignore them and enjoy the company of most members. Too bad you won't give it a try. Fri Jan 04 20:03:26 -0800 2002 1257103 0 Janet 4 1257250 It's terrible that you had this experience! The Coop's disability policy is hardly obscure: it's explained in the new member packet you got when you attended orientation. The folks in the membership office could have walked you through this, and it's awful that some people gave you the wrong information. In the years I've been with the Coop, I've met my share of different kinds of people, with different attitudes. Not everyone gets along with everyone. And sometimes folks are having a bad day and it comes out in their behaviors. But, overall, I've been utterly amazed at the experiences I've had there. The key is: It's a cooperative. What's the place like? It's like all the people who are part of it, and make it what it is. If you rejoin, then you are part of making it what it is. You can do your part in making it a great place or making it an unpleasant place. Fortunately, I've found a lot more folks who want to make it work than don't. Intially, it can be a big, overwhelming place for some. But, ultimately, as a member and co-owner you make the place work. But it's not for everybody. Wed Jan 09 04:09:06 -0800 2002 1257103 0 Ken 5 1257276 Thanks, Ken. I do think the people in the membership office are overwhelmed, and as the first people prospective members often contact, and the people members contact it times of need, this may be problematic. When I became temporarily disabled a few months ago, I had difficulty getting through to the office, and then the first person I spoke to knew nothing about the disability policy (which I was familiar with because I'd negotiated for a squad member a few years ago) and therefore stated with authority that what I wanted was impossible. A friend who was anxious to join after attending orientation two weeks ago was only able to get through and sign up TODAY!! That said, membership in the coop, which is something I doubted I would take to when I joined ten years ago, has been an amazing thing. To those who think that the extra time coop shopping and working takes is a waste, I'd say this: I have met so many terrific people with whom I'd otherwise never have crossed paths. My recent health problems have taught me who my friends are, and I have to say that some of my best friends have been my coop friends. AND you can't beat the value!! Wed Jan 09 19:26:58 -0800 2002 1257250 0 Janet 6 1257298 Yes, it's true that the office workers are overworked and it can sometimes present a problem dealing with these critical new-member issues. But the good news on getting through to sign up is that now there's a new office shift right after orientation on Wednesdays, so folks can walk in that night if they're ready to do so. Now, if some more new members signed up for daytime office shifts... Thu Jan 10 09:18:40 -0800 2002 1257276 0 Ken 2 1257102 Yea, I, too, was turned off by the members of the PSFC. While I found the food to be of good quality, the preachy, arrogant attitude of the members was enough to drive me away. The worst problem of all was the lines. Not a time went by when I did not wait a minimum of 30 minutes in the checkout line. This was in the mid-90s, though, and I have heard that they've expanded, so perhaps this is no longer a problem. Fri Jan 04 12:51:37 -0800 2002 1257087 0 Brooklyn Boy 1 1257104 You know, I never had much trouble getting good produce in the Carroll Gardens area with a combination of Met Foods on Henry or Smith, the Sunshine Market (or was it Rainbow?) on Court near Union, the terrific Green Grocer on Atlantic btwn Clinton and Court, and occasional jaunt to the Borough Hall Green Market on Court. I know the grass is always greener, but is it really worth the shlep to Park Slope, or working several hours a month to get produce that, while it is good, is not that much more remarkable than the pretty decent produce already available in the neighborhood? By the way, Brooklyn Boy, is that you? The same one from WFRE? Just checking. Fri Jan 04 13:47:24 -0800 2002 1257081 0 annab 2 1257107 I must say that I never buy produce from Met Foods, because it never looks too good to me and the place smells vile (but not enough to turn me off from shopping there altogether - I buy the basic staples there, flour - they have King Arthur, sugar, and milk, that's about it.) Jim and Andy's on Court is decent, the Rainbow Market is pretty good and yes, I do go to that Atlantic Avenue place as well sometimes - but it's a 15 minute walk from where I live and the bags are always SOOO heavy! With this pursuit, it's just that I had this lazy, sweet "convenience dream" about a basket laden with ORGANIC, fresh fruit and vegetables (with a recipe card ot two) delivered to my door fortnightly, like my friend used to have in Manhattan. But I know, I have little to complain about, really. Fri Jan 04 14:39:26 -0800 2002 1257104 0 Katerina 1 1257122 This site lists several CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) organizations that have distribution points or delivery in Brooklyn. Link: http://www.justfood.org/html/csa_home.html Sat Jan 05 05:26:37 -0800 2002 1257081 0 Peter Cuce 2 1257178 This is great! That's EXACTLY what I had in mind, without being able to describe it very well. THANK YOU! Mon Jan 07 13:24:00 -0800 2002 1257122 0 Katerina 2 1257193 We have been using Urban Organic for about 9 months. The weekly $29.99 box contains more organic greens veges and fruit than my family of 3 can eat in a week. On the plus side, the box always arrives on Monday afternoon (Monday deliveries in Brooklyn) and it contains such a variety that I rarely have to supplement it during the week, except for the occassional cilantro, onions and garlic. On the negative side, they tend to use larger organic distributors and not the smaller operations that I would prefer to deal with. Also, the weekly delivery means that some things are kind of funky by days 5 and 6. Finally, their newsletter is kind of lame and doesn't really describe the sources, although 90% of the items have some sort of labeling identifying the farm/cooperative. Overall, it works for us because we do not have to devote any effort to getting our weekly supply. I still admit to sneaking into Manhattan to shop at the Whole Foods Market in Chelsea and Fairway for the non-produce items.... Kevin Mon Jan 07 17:06:49 -0800 2002 1257122 0 Kevin