Week 10 — Tada! The End of the Spring CSA Subscription

Can you believe it has been ten, veggie-filled weeks since I started this magical blog?   Oh, I know, time flies when you are having fun.   Really.

I think I was more excited about this being “Week 10” than I was about what actually ended up in the box.   Here’s the full list:

tango lettuce, carrots, braising mix, zucchini, cucumbers (yay!), swiss chard, turnips, arugula, beets, green garlic and kale

They are all yummy and beautiful but I think I am ready for a break.   There is a one week break (over the 4th of July holiday) before the summer subscription and fruit boxes start.   I need a green break.    And, we are going camping.    Greens and camping are a bit of challenge.  It didn’t work out that well the last time I tried it.

I thought it would be appropriate to give my opinion on the whole CSA experience to this point and I dedicate this post to all of you who are on the fence about spending the time/money/whatever on signing up for your own box each week.    Here’s  my pros/cons list for the adventure so far:

Pros:

Beautiful, awesome, wonderful veggies that simply cannot be purchased at a chain grocery store.

You will eat healthier.   (even if you put cheese on everything)

You will try new recipes simply because you will be forced to use items that you probably would not have regularly purchased.  And, you will want the variety that new recipes bring to the table.

You will feel good about buying local.   Your hard earned dollars will go to people just like you who are working hard to earn their dollars, too.

Cons:

It does cost a little bit more.   This is misleading because I am getting value.   And, I think it is a better value for what’s in each week’s box than just the veggies.   But, I probably would not have bought as many greens if I weren’t on the subscription and that has led to buying other not-local, not-in-season veggies.   So, cost is definitely a factor here.   Value is not.

Greens, greens, greens.   If you don’t even remotely think that you can find a way to stomach a lot of greens.   I mean A LOT of greens.   Not just lettuce, but chard, braising mix, kale, spinach, etc … don’t do the spring subscription.   It is not for you.   I have never seen so many greens in my life.

So, what’s the verdict?

A resounding “WHOOOOO HOOOO!”   The community supported agriculture subscription has been very rewarding.   I like it.   I’m good.

Now, hurry, go find your local CSA and sign up for a summer subscription!   This is when the fun begins … and then, there’s FRUIT!