Colchester Farm CSA Week #12

My CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share program has started for the year.Check out Week #1, Week #2, Week #3, Week #4, Week #5, Week #6, Week #7, Week #8, Week #9, Week #10, and Week #11.

Our season runs for 26 weeks from June – November. I purchased a small share which means I get to choose 5 units each week during my pick-up. I happen to pick-up my share on Tuesday.

Here’s what I chose this week: green beans, watermelon, corn, yellow potatoes, and rainbow carrots.

As part of my CSA cost analysis challenge, I’m visiting two local Kent County stores each week after my pick-up to compare prices of similar items. Here’s this week’s comparison:

Pretty comparable across the board in terms of price, but neither store had rainbow carrots (shocker), and one store didn’t have whole, small watermelons.

This might also be a good time to note two special things about the CSA pick-up (focusing on Tuesday): you can grab your items in 4 minutes or less (I’ve had to before so I know!), and you’re not tempted by the middle section of a grocery store, to purchase things you don’t need.

You’ll generally see similar people during each of the pick-ups, depending what time you go. I tend to go toward the earlier side – 4-4:30, and it’s usually the same crew picking up their produce. I had to go a little later this week, so I got to see some other members which was nice.

More on the CSA

My CSA pick-up works this way: every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m., 1-2 people from Colchester (farm manager Theresa, or one of the apprentices) will set-up tables and produce with signs that indicate how much you can take of each item. Based on the share you purchased, you can take either 5 (small), 8 (medium), or 14 (large) different items.

If you live near Kent County, there’s still time to join, for a fall share, which runs 13 weeks, and begins the week of September 7.