I [heart] Davids It helps me to say these things aloud, I think.

July 29, 2009

CSA

Filed under: Farmer's Market,Meals & Food — JeniQ @ 11:56 am

I’ve been seriously considering a subscription to a local CSA farm.

“Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.” source

I’ve spoken with Edible Earthscapes and Double-T Farm. I know there are a few others out there, too. I’m wondering if anyone out there has any experience and would like to offer their feedback.

I like the idea of locally grown organic produce at a good price. I also like the challenge of cooking with the seasons. I’d feel like the Iron Chef – what’s the secret ingredient?!

Locavore

Filed under: Farmer's Market,Meals & Food — JeniQ @ 7:58 am

For the past few weeks, we’ve been going to the North Hills Farmer’s Market in North Hills shopping center.

It’s really quite a nice experience with Henry. It’s much smaller than the State Farmer’s Market, with much less variety, but it more than makes up with its share of dog sightings. He is constantly entertained.

There is also usually a band (bluegrass, beach music, etc.) that is fun and entertaining for both kids and adults alike. The kids end up dancing and running around the little “grass” square and having a good ol’ time.

The stalls include more than just fruits and vegetables. You can get coffee at Starbuck’s, breakfast at Chick-fil-A, and lunch at Five Guys. There’s a guy selling Italian ice, a lovely lady selling Kettle Corn and candied nuts, and a number of bakery vendors. There are also vendors selling beef and pork and eggs. Most of the vegetable vendors seem to be “boutique” farmers, growing fewer and smaller crops, not on the same scale as the farmers at the State Farmer’s Market. Most of them offer CSA memberships, where you buy a share of the farm and then get weekly produce as a result. It’s something we’re considering but subscriptions don’t start again until January.

So we’ve been getting food on Saturdays for the week, and we’ve been eating more local food that way. Last night we had fresh pesto. Before that we had fresh green beans and fresh figs. Oh, and we’ve had the most wonderful local tomatoes – YUM!! And we went to the State Farmer’s Market this past Sunday and bought a dozen ears of corn for $5. Last night I blanched and froze about 8 cups of fresh corn for the winter.

To top it all off, we’re “cowpooling” with our neighbors. We bought a 1/2 cow from a local vet who raises a herd of cattle and we’re splitting it with our neighbors. We’ll be getting about 100 pounds of locally grown, grain- and pasture-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free, dry-aged (2 weeks), flash frozen beef for $2.33/pound. I can’t wait!!

October 18, 2008

High Country Sightseeing

Filed under: Entertainment,Farmer's Market,Travel — JeniQ @ 2:16 pm

We went on a few outings while we were at the cabin. We browsed the shops in Blowing Rock, and had a lovely pizza lunch at Mellow Mushroom.
We hit the Watauga County Farmers’ Market on Saturday.

Farmers Market

Mom hunts for the perfect apple

Apple Festival not that exciting, really

Play me some of that mountain music

spinning thread

And on the way out of town, mom and I stopped to do some good old-fashioned gem mining. She’s been wanting to do this for years so I surprised her on the way out of town with this adventure. We had a great time and ordered more than one stone to be cut. I hope they turn out nice!!!

Mom uses a sharp eye to sift through her stones

Our haul - two bags full!

Amethysts, rubies, aquamarine, oh my!

October 4, 2008

Saturday morning

Filed under: Farmer's Market — JeniQ @ 10:06 am

Awesome trip to the state farmers market this morning. Apples are in season and ever so tasty! We got five pounds of mixed Rome, winesap, jonagold, mutsu, arkansa black apples for $5! We also picked up pork tenderloins for $4.50 per pound. Also in our haul were a few pounds of bacon for the feezer, brats and andouille sausage, and white sweet potatoes for Dave’s mom.
Henry was just awesome and loved looking around at so many new things. What a great way to start the day!

August 3, 2008

New Freezer!

Filed under: Farmer's Market,Household — JeniQ @ 8:41 pm

Dave is so awesome. He got me a chest freezer, which I’ve been pining over for nearly two years. It’s a 7.2 cubic foot chest freezer and it is living happily in our garage.

Here is it is in place.

It can hold at least one body, if not two

This morning we hit the Farmer’s Market where we loaded up on organic beef, chicken and sausage. We also got some tomatoes and peaches, both of which make for good freezing.
Meat party!

We still have a ways to go before we reach capacity.
A chestful of meat

May 28, 2007

Farmer’s Market Flowers

Filed under: Farmer's Market,Landscaping — JeniQ @ 1:38 am
Sunday morning, after a big breakfast of pancakes, meat and eggs, we headed off to the Farmer’s Market. Dave and I were searching for flowers to install in our front beds. We’re pulling up the pansies on Monday and replacing them with Zinnias and Marigolds. They should look pretty. We’re looking forward to the new summer flowers.

April 22, 2007

Why I love the Farmer’s Market

Filed under: Farmer's Market — JeniQ @ 12:59 pm
Yummy!
Pretty!

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