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?

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?

New Albany Farmers Market

The newest farmer's market in central Ohio belongs to one of the newest suburbs, New Albany. It is scheduled to run every Thursday from 4-7 pm now through September 8 in Market Street Square, 200 Market Street 43054. Lil and I visited on the second week. We found rows of tents arranged around a lovely plaza in front of a Columbus library branch. Ample free parking is available along the streets and in a lot by the library.

For a market only in its second week, New Albany was well attended by producer/grower vendors and buyers. Nearly every shopper I saw was carrying a basket of peaches from Branstool, the first of the season. A family could truly shop for the week here with baked goods (including gluten free), meat, eggs, herbs, fruits, and vegetables available.

I was most excited to find two new-to-me products at the market. First, pictured on the left, is Ohio's first sheep's milk cheese from Kokoborrego Cheese Company. I chatted with the producers and learned that their raw cheeses are aged a minimum of 60 days. Tastes revealed that this cheese is rich and artisanal, rivaling fine European cheeses. Kokoborrego is made by the Sippel family and available at the Clintonville Farmer's market, Columbus restaurants, and stores coming soon.

At right are the Hickory Bark products from Simply Gourmet Syrups. Michael Jaeb, founder and producer, shared his story of turning local and seasonal ingredients into gourmet flavored syrups and jams. His background in design is apparent as everything about the syrup stand is arranged and labeled with an old-timey feel. The showcase product, shagbark hickory syrup, is a completely new flavor to me, nutty and sarsaparilla-like. You can order Simple Gourmet Syrups through their website or find them at other markets throughout the state.

I applaud New Albany for selecting fine vendors and a beautiful location. Family-friendly local businesses surrounding the square include the library, a toy store, gift shops, and restaurants. Though it is a 20 minute drive from Clintonville, I will return with plans to stay and explore more of Market Square next time.

If you go:

• Bring cash and reusable bags as always. If you plan to buy cheese or meat, consider carrying a cooler or ice pack too.
• Check out the weekly highlights schedule for a list of special events and entertainment.
• Consider traffic if coming from other parts of the city. Sometimes the intersection of 161 and 270 can be congested.
• Find restrooms in the public library.
• Connect with New Albany organizers on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Have you been to New Albany Farmers Market? What market do you want to read about next?

More Hounds in the Kitchen farmers market reviews:

Pearl Alley Market

Easton Farmers Market

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.

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!

Green B.E.A.N. Delivery Review

In March, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery offered my family a chance to review their produce delivery service. I have been curious about their Biodynamic, Education, Agriculture, and Nutrition service and I eagerly said 'yes'. After an email exchange registering my address, we were set for delivery. The very next Wednesday, a green box arrived on the front porch. Lil helped me unpack the organic fruits and vegetables. She couldn't wait for the pictures to be taken so she could dive into the strawberries.

We tried the small size box, costing $35 per delivery. Customers can select a weekly or bi-weekly delivery. Delivery and the bin cost is included in the price.

The box is filled with a variety of organic produce selected based on seasonal availability. A wide selection of additional locally produced groceries, including Snowville Creamery milk, Blue Jacket dairy cheeses, Luna Burger patties, sauces of all kinds and humanely raised meat, can be added to the box.

The Concept

General Manager John Freeland says "Sustainability and distribution are two big challenges we are facing head on.  We want to create a food system that can be sustainable for many years into the future, and we want to create solutions for the distribution of that food, which has become a very big challenge for smaller producers over the last 35 years."

I recently met Richard Stewart, the manager of Carriage House Farm in North Bend Ohio. He is thrilled to partner with Green B.E.A.N. because they can distribute and sell his honey, micro greens, and other products. Their service allows him to focus on the growing operation and still feed customers across the state of Ohio.

The Green B.E.A.N. concept is growing. Originally only available in Cincinnati, now residents in Dayton, Columbus, Louisville, and Ft. Wayne have access to the delivery service. Freeland looks to more expansion in the future. "We are determined to become a strong, family owned and operated Midwestern company.  We will continue to build our network of farmers and artisans year after year, further strengthening a food system that allows us to foster the success of small to mid-sized farms, while making those products convenient, affordable and accessible to the members of our communities," he says.

The Value

Of course, the big question on my mind was: "Is the bin worth it?" Keara and I headed to Whole Foods to check prices. Here's what we found:

Wed March 16: 1 bunch beets - 2.49 1 cauliflower - 3.99 (*) 2 pounds fingerling potatoes - 4.99 5 pink lady apples - 3.38 4 cara cara oranges - 5.00 4 tangelos - 1.33 1 pound mixed green and yellow beans - 2.99 (*) 1 pound strawberries - 3.99 8 ounces baby spinach - 6.38 10 ounces crimini mushrooms - 3.12 Total: $37.66

*=organic unavailable at Whole Foods, this is the conventional price

Wed March 30: 1 yellow onion - 0.56 4 braeburn apples - 5.00 1 lemon - 0.79 4 valencia oranges - 3.96 1 pound zucchini - 2.99 1 pound asparagus - 4.99 1 pound strawberries - 3.99 1 pint cherry tomatoes - 4.99 8 ounces salad mix - 6.38 2 large portobello - 3.99 Total: $37.64

As each basket costs $35, the Green B.E.A.N. delivery actually saves money, assuming you shop at Whole Foods. Cheaper prices could be found by choosing other grocery stores and shopping sales. We chose Whole Foods for the price comparison because we believed they would be most likely to have the organic fruits and veggies in stock.

Is Green B.E.A.N. right for you?

Our family loves fruits and vegetables but in the winter and spring, we sometimes struggle to find fresh organic produce. We often rely on our pantry stores of preserved produce which, frankly, get a little boring. The Green B.E.A.N. bin provided a welcome infusion of new flavors and we easily used up the contents of the bins before the next one was due to arrive.

The small size bin did not supply all of our produce needs, however. We had to supplement with onions, garlic, and ingredients we wanted for specific recipes.

Though our free trial is over, we remain subscribed to Green B.E.A.N. We like the convenient delivery of a random assortment of produce. Our diets enjoy the fresh organic fruits and vegetables in late spring, which will begin to come from local farms as the growing season begins. Most of all, we love supporting a business that helps solve the biggest challenges of the local food system by giving small farmers a retail outlet.

If you, too, enjoy locally-fueled eating adventures, I heartily recommend Green B.E.A.N.

Friday Five: New CSA Concepts in Central Ohio

Fruit and vegetable Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares have been available for years here in Columbus and many of us have partaken of their local produce goodness. Today I want to highlight several new twists on the classic CSA. Follow the links in each post for registration and more details. 1) Mockingbird Meadows Honey and Herb Farm is offering a Healthy Herbs CSA from June through February. From their website: "Designed to mirror the traditional vegetable CSA, our farm share program is meant to provide you with the basics of a healthy lifestyle through the use of our herbal helpers. Along with your share of fresh cut and dried healing herbs, handmade herbal health aides, seasonal tonic teas, fresh herbal foods and our raw honey we include 2 custom-made tinctures, 2 herbal consultations (not to exceed 2 hours), 2 reservations to our Farm Open House and 10% off product purchases. Each share will be a $300 investment for the year. Pick-ups will be once a month at various farmer's markets to be named soon. Please email Dawn form more information- dcombs@mockingbirdmeadows.com. Deadline for registration is May 31, 2011"

2) Frijolito Farm is selling farm gift cards. The idea is that farmer Wayne Shingler will accept investors now for early farm costs. Investors are given gift certificates loaded with credit equal to the amount of the investment plus 10% and can be exchanged for free range eggs, chicken meat, fruits, vegetables or anything else Frijolito sells. On December 1, any remaining balance can be redeemed for cash. This is micro-financing at its most local!

3) Based on their success in the fall, Blues Creek Meats in the North Market is expanding the meat CSA program. You choose the type of meat (beef, lamb, or beef/lamb/pork/goat/veal combo) and pick up once a month. The deadline for the spring CSA sign-ups just passed, though you might be able to call or go in person and see if any shares remain. Sign up now for summer-fall shares.

4) Green B.E.A.N. delivery just began offering their services in central Ohio. They make available a variety of CSA fruit and vegetable basket sizes plus customized additional options, all delivered to your doorstep. I was most intrigued by this concept when I heard a farmer recommending it, saying Green B.E.A.N. is providing the infrastructure to deliver his organic grains fresh to consumers. Green B.E.A.N. is offering me a trial basket over the next month so that I can write a full review soon.

5) Sunny Meadows Farms is offering a unique co-operative CSA. Full and half shares will include vegetables from their greenhouses and fresh cut flowers, fruit, herbs, fresh baked bread, canned goods, homemade soap, cheese, eggs, meats from a variety of local all-natural farms. This eclectic CSA would be great for someone who wants to explore the great variety of sustainable farms in central Ohio.

Do you have more CSA news to share? Please comment!

If you are ready to move beyond the CSA and grow your own, be sure to download my free Grow Your Garden ebook.

Columbus Winter Farmer's Market New Digs

After profiling Columbus Winter Farmer's Market last year, I returned last weekend for the opening of their 2010-2011 season in a new location, the Clintonville Women's Club at 3951 N High Street.

With the change of venue comes a large uncrowded parking lot, a beautiful stage with sound system for musicians, and larger hospitality area where visitors can sit and enjoy their purchases.  The market will be open this Saturday, November 13 from 10 am - 1 pm.  Future dates, two per month, are published on their website.

I chatted with one of the market's founders, Cathy Krist of Carousel Watergardens.  She emphasized that the Columbus Winter Farmer's Market was started "by farmers for farmers and funded by farmers to direct market their value added farm products to their consumers in the Columbus area."  She added "Our move to the woman's club has enabled us to offer lunches and beverages to our customers catered by the club. The chef has some scrumptious menus planned throughout the market season."

Though I do hope the market gains visitors as the season progresses, I loved shopping when traffic was light at midday and I could chat with the vendors.  Beyond superior quality products and the greater economic impact of shopping farmer's market versus grocery store, the best benefit to me is being part of a community built around food.  In less than an hour this week, I talked with a half dozen vendors and learned:

• Brezel Power pretzels is the newest addition in the North Market!  Congratulations!
• You can get free soap at the market by being the first visitor or two to correctly answer Oh Lather!'s trivia question.  I did not correctly answer "Who was elected governor of the confederate states on this day in 1861?" (Answer: Jefferson Davis)
• Luna Burger is attending the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland this coming weekend.  Good luck spreading the vegan local burger love, ladies!
• The owner of Honey Health Farm, absent from last week's market, is ill with heart issues.  My thoughts are with him and his family.
• Osage Lane Creamery has a new goat cheese CSA program and a goat's milk herdshare.

With coffee, produce, meat, cheese, baked goods and more available, the Columbus Winter Farmer's Market is an ideal place to buy holiday gifts, shop for local foods, or meet a friend for lunch.  As Cathy says, "enjoy the atmosphere, the food, the products and plenty of down home farm hospitality."

Flooding - bad for the gardener, worse for the farmer

Weather has not been nice for vegetable growers this year. First, the temperatures rose so quickly in early spring that many greens bolted and bittered far before their time. Now tens of inches of rain are flooding fields. The lack of sunlight leaves fruits unripened and rotting. Those of us who don't use pesticides are inundated with weeds. I have remarked more than once recently that I am glad I'm not a farmer. I feel anxious about my own harvest but I know I can always buy what I need if my vegetables don't turn out. Farmers do not have such a luxury: when their crops fail, their whole livelihood suffers.

The Wayward Seed farmers faced reality yesterday and suspended vegetable CSA shares for at least one week. In an email to shareholders, Jaime Moore wrote "Quality and service are of the utmost importance to us, and we will work tirelessly until we are able to once again resume delivery of vegetables to our members. We would rather suspend shares in the short term than give you anything that does not meet our standards of cleanliness and quality." Jaime invited CSA participants to own their share and help weed the fields.

Though I only purchase a fruit share from Wayward Seed, I want to see their fields thrive. I will be volunteering my time this Thursday morning. I plan to be at the farm in London at 10 am. If you can spare some time, please join me!

How to Freeze Berries

Did you pick strawberries last week and then receive quarts of them in your CSA this week?  That's the case with many of my friends who are now looking for quick ways to process the excess. The fastest way to preserve berries, in my opinion, is freezing.  Frozen berries can be popped into yougurt parfaits, smoothies, baked goods, or jam later in the season.  They last for at least a year in the coldest part of your freezer.  Lil likes frozen blueberries as a snack as they retain their texture better than other berries.

First, hull or pit the fruits.  If they are organic and not visibly dirty, you can leave them unwashed.  If you do wash the fruits, dry them thoroughly with tea towels.

Next, lay fruit in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  Sometimes I line mine with parchment if the fruits are particularly juicy to prevent them from sticking.

After 4 - 12 hours in the freezer, pop the fruits off the cookie sheet.  Quickly transfer them to a labeled freezer bag or vacuum seal bag.  Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

If you have a large quantity of berries, repeat the process a few times.  Store delicate fruits like strawberries in the refrigerator until you an freeze them.

I have successfully used this method to freeze strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pitted cherries, and peach slices.  They stay individually frozen which makes portioning for recipes or snacks a cinch.