Colchester Farm CSA Week #7

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

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: cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumbers, green cabbage, and summer squash.

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:

At first glance, the cost is fairly similar between all parties this week, a little more expensive at Store #2.

Some of the items I chose from the CSA appeared in the organic section at Store #2, so I tallied those costs. It’s a pretty sizeable difference from the standard produce offered at the store.

I wanted to compare to the organic prices at store #2 because that’s closer to the growing style at the farm.

Colchester Farm is not certified organic. However, the produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides. Produce at Colchester is also grown by farmers who are committed to sustainable growing practices and building healthy soil. Plus it’s just down the road, a mere 14 miles from my house. I can see it, I can visit the land, I can meet the people who grow the food. It’s not that easy with food on the shelves in a grocery store.

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.

I can’t wait to continue this project throughout the 26 week program!