Bringing the Farm to Your Doorstep: Farm Delivery & CSAs

People sometimes tell me that they don't shop at the farmers market because they think it is inconvenient. Having a busy schedule myself, particularly when I was traveling almost non-stop, I definitely understand the challenge of dragging yourself out of bed on a Saturday morning to shop for vegetables. I'm always glad when I make the effort, but I understand that there are days when it seems overwhelming.

Luckily in Austin, you can get farm fresh vegetables delivered to your door step. Often called a CSA (community supported agriculture) or farm membership, you can "buy" into a farm and get a regular basket of goodies. With some farms, you pick up your veggies on an appointed day, but other farms deliver. I was a CSA-member several years ago and I learned a great deal about eating seasonally from the experience. I don't know that I had ever eaten chard before I got my first CSA basket (there was a lot of Googling recipes), but now I can't imagine a fall without it.

Now that I'm not traveling as often, I have been considering re-joining a CSA. I was excited to learn that Farmhouse Delivery is offering a farm membership, which for them is a CSA plus you can add other grocery items to your delivery. As a single person, I am particularly attracted to the feature of having a delivery every other week as I've been concerned that I couldn't cook through an entire delivery every week.

With a Farmhouse membership, you also get invitations to special member events at Rain Lily Farm - a definite member perk. I attended a dinner there last week and it was one of the most delightful evenings I have had in quite some time. Registration for a Farmhouse membership ends October 30th and spaces are limited.

If the Farmhouse membership isn't the best match for you, there are a number of other farms that offer CSAs in the area. The Austin Farmers Market site has a list of local CSAs and you could also contact Green Gate Farms to inquire whether they still have shares available.

And, if you aren't up for a full CSA commitment, you can order a local produce box from Greenling Organic Delivery service. I have used the service previously and was very happy with the experience and with the box contents.

So, now that we've taken away the "it's not convenient" argument, what's your excuse for not eating local?