CSA - anyone interested? organic and local vegetables CSA, anyone, interested, local, organic

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I don't want to make it an ad. But I just want ppl to know about the idea of CSA, Community Supported Agriculture system.
As far as I know, there are only two CSA farms in metro Vancouver area.
The UBC one (which I heard is hard to get into) or the Nathan Creek Farm which I have been getting my veggies in the summer from for the past 2 years. And this year, I am sharing the weekly bin with 2 friends. (we think that 1/3 bin is good for a couple)
This is not a usual concept but I like the idea of having organic local vegetables and at the same time support local farming. In short, find out on your own if you are interested. pm me and I can try to answer some questions.

http://www.nathancreek.ca/csa.html

http://www.landfood.ubc.ca/ubcfarm/csa.php

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I think I will start taking pictures of the weekly basket/bin this year. This will give ppl some idea of what they get from a $500 + $100 development fund bin for 20 weeks in the summer.

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Vegetables from Nathan Creek Farm had started last week. I just pick up bin #2 tonight.
Here are some pictures of the veggies:

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my coworker is off to France and Norway for vacation. So I am sharing the first few bins with my 1 friend only. Usually the first few bins have less vegetables. As you can see, a full bin later in the summer is enough for 3 couples to share.

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no choice. It's like you partly own the farm so you eat whatever is harvest from the farm that week. For each couple it's about $10 per week.
But I am not sure if it's actually 20 weeks.. I should keep better track of the number of delivery this year.

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btw I think it's too late to join this year. They were still accepting new members in April when I posted. But well, I am just hoping this post will give ppl some idea of what CSA is.
I just found out that Vij is also getting from the CSA (most likely for home use)

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they taste better! But well... I don't know if everyone can tell the difference. They are not only organic but they are freshly picked/cut from the soil the day before the delivery. So they last longer in the fridge. I found most veggies taste sweeter. I can't wait to try out the potato!

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for nathan creek there are like 6 or 7 location. We pick up around W 14th and Main. Others are like SFU, N. Van, Coquitlam, DT....etc.
Contact Nathan Creek and you can get a full list of the location. I am trying to see if I can get enough ppl to setup a pickup location in Richmond next Summer.

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The only "catch" is they don't usually grow much Chinese vegetables. So unless you cook western food most of the time, it's hard to use some of them. I do ended up cooking more western food in the summer. Like soup, salad, grilled vegies...etc.

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Suggest to them to grow "Choi Sum" "Dau Mui", sure they will have more cusromers like us.
sheep 發表於 2009-7-15 01:09 PM

It may sound funny. But... some how... i don't see myself as a customer of the farm.
I went there in June and helped pulling weeds in the onion field.  (not for hours tho) I am planning to visit at least one more time this summer. I may suggest some more Chinese vegetables varities. But since everyone will be getting them, he cannot grow something that no one else wants.
Choi Sum or Bak Choi may be ok. I had some very sweet "sui choi" before from last  year's bin. But "dau mui" may be hard for them... cos not everyone like dau mui.