CSA Chat
100% Chance of Mud!
By Good Earth Food Alliance grower, Amy Brucker
Although becoming a Good Earth Food Alliance CSA member means sharing in the thrills, adventures, and highlights of the season, growing foods the natural and sustainable way also has it's share of frustrations. As a part of the Good Earth Food Alliance family, how many of you have wondered what we growers think of this unusually cold and wet spring we’re having? Well, the answer is, we're tired of mud. Not only has the forecast predicted rain every couple of days, but Mother Nature keeps sprinkling the fields in between those rainy days just to tease us.
If the GEFA growers were working as individuals, this cold and rainy spring could really dampen plans to provide wonderful spring vegetables to CSA customers. However, as a collaborative, we’re pooling all our resources together to try to meet our original schedule of harvesting our first crop of CSA foods in mid-May. Those of us on higher ground were able to get some seeds into the soil the end of March and early April while others on low ground were not. Once those first seeds are ready for harvest, the CSA members will be the first to enjoy the fresh spring vegetables.
Good Earth Food Alliance news
Interest in GEFA has risen sharply since last Sunday when Clare Howard of the Peoria Journal Star wrote an article about our efforts. For those of you standing on the sidelines waiting to see what happens, know that we’re quickly approaching the maximum number of CSA shares available. Go here to get signed up.
Some folks have struggled with viewing pages on the website or placing an order. Know that we're working out the kinks in the website (what do you expect from a bunch of farmers?). Feel free to contact us with your questions or concerns.
Most frequently asked questions via the website:
- Which GEFA product (Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Half) would you recommend for my family? If this is your first time as a CSA member, I might suggest you start small, with a Half Share or a Bi-Weekly. Some of the foods you'll receive this season may be new to you, but know that we are here to support you on your journey towards better health with recipes and ideas for working with new foods. For more information, check out this page on our website.
- How much will be in each Tuesday delivery? The quantities of each of the foods are similar to grocery store quantities - a half pound of loose leaf lettuce, a pound of onions, a 5-lb watermelon – but the total weight of your CSA delivery will be less in the early summer than it is in the late summer, simply because a longer ripening time is necessary for heavier crops. If you’re as hungry as I am for garden fresh foods, assume your first few weeks of fresh vegetables will be eaten quickly. But by August, you might be overwhelmed by the abundance.