Guilt and Tomatoes

New York Times, Sun. 8/21/11

The New York Times came to Florence last Wednesday and I missed it! The Sunday edition has an article about farmers' markets and how they are suffering from a drop in sales.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/us/21farmers.html?_r=1&ref=us

This change comes less from the recession, which makes no mention in this aspect of consumerism, but in the glut of farmers' markets, according to reporter Katie Zezima. She does a good job with her feature articles about New England. But I wonder if Ms. Zezima has overlooked a growing factor in changing consumer patterns, one that I have already blogged about earlier this month. The Community Supported Agriculture phenomenon has much support, and from my own experience, the quantity of produce provided by the share portion that comes to me is large enough to make me hesitate whenever I see a produce section in a market.

It may be useful to consider how the recession has played a role in this consumer change. How many folks have taken the plunge and started a vegetable plot in their backyard, or joined a Community Garden to start their new gardening lives? How many have also had to cut back on certain items and must make do with home gardens and whatever is on sale at the local supermarket? The farmers' markets frequently accept SNAP benefits as a way to help those who are on assistance and are working to maintain good eating habits. While the farmers are engaged in entrepreneurism, they are also interested in feeding communities well in many ways, and we all benefit from participating in this connection.

Mea Culpa! I may be going to pick up the farm share tomorrow at Mountain View Farm. 

According to the New York Times, there are now twenty-three different farmers' markets right here in the Pioneer Valley. I'm ashamed to say that I only know of three of them, and I have not yet supported them. In fact, the CISA website listing local farmers and markets goes farther than Katie Zezima, presenting lots of other providers and markets, making twenty-three seem small in number.  I aim to visit the Florence Farmers' Market this Wednesday. It's right next to the Library and the Civic Center. You can see the Library in the first shot of the NYT slideshow.
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/20/us/20110821-FARMER.html

Collecting the Farm Share

Every week so far this summer I've been the designated runner for the CSA farm share at Mountain View Farm in Easthampton, MA. This is about five miles from my home in Florence, traveling through some exciting spots that sport "Caution: Bear Crossing" signs. (I'll be sure to take that photo for next time.)

It was a beautiful day to visit the farm, as it alternated between bright sunny skies and rainbursts. It was dry inside the share room where we pick up the bulk of the share:

Community Supported Agriculture allows individuals, couples, families, and/or friends to buy a share of the farm's produce for the season. Every week we are able to visit this farm and make our own choices from the selection provided, as seen above. Some CSA shares do not have such a close contact with the farm and its workers, so we're lucky at the award-winning Mountain Farm CSA.

We are also able to pick our own flowers, herbs, and other produce with our weekly share. The readiness of different crops changes every week, always making the visit exciting because we can wander into the fields. I often like to pick some fresh flowers -- a real luxury!

Thanks to the Mountain View CSA Facebook photo albums: http://www.facebook.com/MountainViewFarm?sk=photos