Farm Boxes: Sign up Now! The Healdsburg Farmers Market opened May 2nd and my Tierra Vegetable Farm box will go back to weekly deliveries again soon. In my own postage-stamp size back yard I’ve planted arugula, chard, radicchio, kale and parsley in one tiny bed. My somewhat larger raised flower bed is half asparagus now. This year the zinnias will share the remaining space with tomatoes and peppers. I figure there is no such thing as too many vegetables.
Every crisis has some hidden benefit, and I’m hoping that our current economic meltdown helps us rearrange our priorities. While I would never wish for systems to break, our health and our economy, or at least agriculture, are intertwined. Here is a chance to reweave them in a healthier way.
The good news is that it really does feel like there is a revolution going on. Many of us are choosing to eat better. Many of us are choosing real food, grown close to home. Many of us are doing what we can to support earth-friendly practices. Here are some reminders and ideas.
Support your local farmers market and farm stands. These are venues that allow the farmers to sell directly to the consumers – us. Buying from them keeps the farmers in business. Most of them (ask!) use organic and environmentally sustainable practices.
CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), also called Farm Boxes, provide another way to get fresh, local food directly from the farm. By subscribing to a CSA and paying ahead, the farmer is able to plant knowing that the customer will be there when the crop is at its peak. This helps control quality and cost. Some say it is like having your own farm without getting your hands dirty.
When you enroll in a CSA, you get a weekly box of produce. Most CSA’s are primarily vegetables; some add fruits, herbs and extras as they are available. A few CSA’s give you options to get extras on a regular basis for an upgraded cost. Tierra Vegetables is primarily veggies, but we get strawberries and apricots in season, with occasional treats like smoked onions, dried chilies, chili jam, dried beans and homemade catsup.
Getting a weekly box of produce does push you a little to keep up with it. It will also introduce you to new veggies. As a dietitian, I like to think I am pretty vegetable savvy – but I have been treated to new varieties and new ways of cooking old favorites. It is a fun way to eat more vegetables and fruit.
This is the time to subscribe to a CSA; they have a limited capacity which fills quickly and some are already full. Whether it is through a CSA or by supporting your local Farmers Market and Farm Stands, buy real food grown locally. You’ll get better nutrients and better taste. Plus there is added nourishment as you get to know the people who grow the food you eat!
Below is a list of the Sonoma County CSA’s, at least all I could find as listed at www.localharvet.org. While some are officially certified as organic, they all use primarily organic growing methods. Many put great effort into sustainability, meaning that they use earth-friendly practices and renewable energy. These farmers are passionate about growing healthy foods.
A couple points about the list below: You can usually pick up your box from the farm. When other drop-off sites are available, I have listed them. Keep in mind that most farms will set up a new drop off site for a group of subscribers. Many of these have great websites that give an idea of what is currently in their boxes or have been in the past, and most offer recipes and cooking ideas.
Foggy River Farm, Healdsburg: Organic vegetables, free range chickens. May – November. Pick-up locations in Healdsburg, Windsor. 483-1894 Emmett Hopkins www.farming101.wordpress.com
Tierra Vegetables, Santa Rosa: Known for its chilies, which you can order online. May – January. Pick-up in Santa Rosa, Windsor and Healdsburg. 837-8366 Evie Truxaw www.tierravegetables.com
Singing Frogs Farm, Sebastopol: Vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Optional egg and flower shares. Annual blueberry festival for shareholders. May – December. Pick up at farm or in Santa Rosa. 829-1389 Elizabeth and Paul Kaiser. www.singingfrogsfarm.com
Canvas Ranch, Petaluma: Options to add eggs, artisan cheese/bread, flower and locally grown fruit. Year round. Pick-up in Marin, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, West Marin/Sonoma county and Sonoma. 766-7171, Deborah Walton. www.canvas.ranch.com
First Light Farm, Sebastopol: Provides produce to the Ceres Community project. Year round. Pick-up in Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Sebastopol. 480-5346 Nathan Boone. www.firstlightfood.com
Sol Food Farm, Sebastopol: Vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruit. June – November. Pick-up locations to be announced: check website. 604-7120 Lori Meier www.solfoodfarm.org
Wild Rose Ranch, 25 week summer season. Pick-up in Santa Rosa, Glen Ellen and Cotati. 545-6062 Elli and Balyn. www.sonomamountaincsa.blogspot.com
Valley End Farm, Santa Rosa: Vegetables with some fruit, raisins or nuts in season. Year round. Pick-up at farm (near SSU). 585-1123 Sharon Grossi. www.valleyendfarm.com
Laguna Farm, Sebastopol: Full membership with waiting list. Fruit, bread and extra salad options. Year round. Pick-up in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Cotati. 823-0823 Scott Mathieson. www.lagunafarm.com
Orchard Farm, Sebastopol: For a small fee, get deliveries to your front door (Sebastopol and Santa Rosa). Everything in the bag is grown on site. Year round. 823-6528 Ken Orchard, www.orchard-farms.com.
Petaluma Bounty Farm, Petaluma: This is a low-income CSA with retail (normal price) shares available. Fruits and vegetables. Year round. 775-3663 ext 214 Ruth. www.petalumabounty.org
Flutter-by Farms, Petaluma: Customization available, with part of farm dedicated to members. Currently full, expansion planned for next year. Produce, herbs, honey & syrups, butterfly kits. Pick-up from farm and delivery to East Bay. March – December. 510 710-0151 Rocca Rosman.
Green Valley Farm, Sebastopol: Intentional community that live on site. Fruit included in boxes. Pick-up sites in Sebastopol and Santa Rosa. 824-8586 JulieVelichinsky. www.greenvalleyfarm.net
Kathy Nichols is the Healthy Habits Coach. Kathy blends her background as a registered dietitian with life coaching to help you create healthy and sustainable habits. Contact Kathy at 707 431-7524, Kathy@HealthyHabitsCoach.com or www.HealthyHabitsCoach.com. Blog: www.HealthyHabitsCoach.wordpress.com |
