603406 Fri Mar 13 07:32:24 -0700 2009 7 10 Florida 0 4500981 Yesterday was the kickoff, at least for the consumers, of the Community Supported Agriculture program down here. Let me start by saying that I am excited that someone finally took the initiative in South Florida to begin this. I know other areas of the country have been doing this successfully for some time. I figured I would post (and welcome others to as well) through the coming weeks on their opinion of the produce and selection the CSA chooses for us, keeping any negative comments civil, as this is a brand new enterprise for them. The program is fairly simple, and we signed up for the half-case a week, which comes to $25 per week. I would enjoy feedback from anybody who bought the whole case ($40). Pick-ups are in Sunset Corners (SW 72 ST & 87 Ave), one of the better area wine/liquor stores that also sells cheese and a few other high-end perishable items. For week 1 Mrs. I made the trek over there while I marinated in a multitude of problems in the office, and as a result last night's meal was great. Week 1's case included the following: 5 tomatoes - we ate one by itself and it was quite tasty, really a feat as tomatoes get bland/potatoey/cardboardish as I eat them usually. small tub of bell shaped cherry tomatoes - what kind of tomatoes these are is beyond my expertise, but they were so good we were popping them like snacks before dinner. large plastic container containing 13 heirloom tomatoes of varying sizes - I don't have a small weight to measure just how much came. Some were tiny, some were beautiful, big and ripe masterpieces I cannot wait to sink my teeth into. 1 poblano pepper 1 eggplant 3 really really ugly (and therefore tasty) bell peppers: I always love these and these were better than usual. 1 smaller plastic container of leafy greens. I'm not sure yet what these are. It's probably obvious to someone else however. Please enlighten me. Herbs: There were lots of herbs, each in a ziplock type bag maybe about the size of one and 1/4 of my hands. I love fresh herbs in my food so I am looking forward to using these. They included: Rosemary, Chives, Garlic Chives, Arugula, lemongrass, parsley and spearmint. Mrs. I spoiled me last night and also bought a burrata in SUnset Corners, and I have to tell you this burrata was better than at any restaurant I've had in Miami. She dressed it with 20 year aged balsamic, olive oil, basil leaves and the rest of the cherry tomatoes. At my request she added half a roasted red bell pepper - my goodness did everything shine, but especially the burrata and pepper. Fri Mar 13 07:32:24 -0700 2009 124704 Icantread 1 4501094 That sounds great! Are Thursdays the only pick-up days and what are the hours? Also, where do we sign up? Fri Mar 13 08:11:29 -0700 2009 4500981 18795 pilches 2 4501177 pickups are staged between 1:00 pm Thursday and 9:30 pm Fridays. To sign up, your best bet would probably be an email to sbffarms@bellsouth.net. This is the four week trial right now, so ask if you can jump in from week 2. Fri Mar 13 08:29:56 -0700 2009 4501094 124704 Icantread 1 4501699 Just a note of clarification, this was the kickoff for the CSA that Teena's Pride Farms just started, and which Sunset Corners has been good enough to promote and serve as a drop-off/pick-up point for. There is at least one other Miami CSA that has been going for at least a few years now through Bee Heaven Farms which usually runs Nov-Apr. More info here: http://www.redlandorganics.com/CSAbrochure.htm www.foodforthoughtmiami.com Fri Mar 13 10:50:12 -0700 2009 4500981 35525 Frodnesor 2 4501830 good to know, I stand corrected on "finally having someone do this in Miami" Fri Mar 13 11:24:34 -0700 2009 4501699 124704 Icantread 3 4510497 How can I get more info on these type of garden programs? I'm in the Panhandle and we really need some thing like this. Mon Mar 16 14:52:49 -0700 2009 4501830 246458 wubba 4 4511023 This website has guides to, among other things, CSAs and Farmers Markets and you can drill down to search by city, zip, etc. -> http://www.localharvest.org/ Maybe post here again if you learn of something in your area. www.foodforthoughtmiami.com Mon Mar 16 17:17:48 -0700 2009 4510497 35525 Frodnesor 1 4516351 We have been a member of a CSA in Fort Myers since November. We paid $660 for 20 weeks. I would never do it again. This is an organic farm and we have been disappointed by the sameness of the "share" each week. Way too many radishes, like one would want those daily. Lots of greens, chard, kale, others. We do get herbs but they are so easy to grow that I would think they could better use the space. Turnips are right there every week like radishes. A boring cuciferous veggie, Brassica, which is long on wierd looks and short on any flavor. Would much rather have broccoli. Organic oranges have curiously been sour. Lots of oriental eggplant, pretty in a bowl but not what I want to eat weekly. Organic farms have a problem in their ability to get a variety of seed. At least that is what I was told. Our farm used to be based in Miami area, so maybe you all are familiar with: wordenfarm.com the little picture is of the brassica. We do get good tomatoes but not weekly, just the greens. Wed Mar 18 09:39:18 -0700 2009 4500981 10438 LilMsFoodie