Anyone do farm subscriptions?

**FrugalWitch** · 03-04-2008, 11:12 AM

I guess that's what you call it. You order local, organic produce that is delivered either weekly or bi-weekly. I found a place that is local (meaning at least within the state) and certified organic. Vegetables are guaranteed to be no more than 48 hours old from farm to front door. They will deliver to the front door! It is a group of roughly 50 small family farms that sell through one company.

Each box contains between 7-12 different veggies and at least 1 fruit. Each box is supposed to feed a family of 4-5 for a week. The cost is $98.73 per month for bi-weekly delivery.

For an additional charge you can order: organic free-range eggs (chickens are on pasture), butter, organic free range chickens, catfish, tilapia, pork, grits, cornmeal etc.

We had a family conference over this and decided that with the certified organic, all animals on pasture with no "factory" living conditions, supporting local small family farms and the convience of front door delivery to be worth the extra price. We will be recieving our first delivery on March 11th.

Has anyone else ever bought food this way? Were/are you happy with the service and the produce? Any advice?

**quiltergirl2** · 03-04-2008, 11:43 AM

We're on the e-mail list for something like this, but I've never ordered. It's just one family though and they don't deliver to the door. They have a route with various pick-up sites around the city one day a month. I haven't ordered yet because they are pretty pricey. I like the concept and I really like the people, but can't afford to pay that much more than what I pay at the health food supermarket.

But I live in farm country and around here it usually costs more to go directly to the farmer -- organic or conventional farming methods. Prices at farmers markets and farm stands are outrageous.

**suki** · 03-04-2008, 11:47 AM

My hubby is offering his veggies like this for the first time this year. He has a handful of customers that have emailed him from Local Harvest.

**Denvergirlie** · 03-04-2008, 12:02 PM

Usually this is called a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture.

I never have used a CSA, only because we already garden and produce way more than we can eat ourselves.

Here is a wiki page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communi...ed_agriculture

Here is another sites that can help you find local food resoruces
http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?id=Home
http://www.organicconsumers.org/ (left upper side says "get local" then just pick your state)
http://www.localharvest.org/

**IntlMom** · 03-04-2008, 12:10 PM

actually, I am entirely envious of you. we don;t have one in our area......I would totally participate, in fact, I check periodically to see if any new ones have been added close by, but sadly, no.
Enjoy your yummy, fresh produce!

**AstarB1** · 03-04-2008, 01:12 PM

I did it for a while and I loved it! But when I began to try saving aggressively, I hacked at my budget and it was one of the first things I had to let go of.

**geckoace** · 03-04-2008, 01:41 PM

i haven't but i plan to this year there are 2 that are local and its not more than we already spend on produce over the may-nov period. there is one that is just over the PA line (30 mins) that will let you do a fully working share, i forget how many hours that is in exchange