I was wondering: green market vs a CSA? Since the Forest Hills greenmarket and Tuv Ha'Aretz CSA…read moreare in the same location, it really came down to cost and choice.
You have to sign up and pay in advance for the whole season, usually in the spring. I emailed tuv@fhjc.org to get on their list and to inquire about availability before my first year as a CSA member. Volunteering is required (help at share pick-ups, newsletter writing, deliver unclaimed shares to the food bank, unload the delivery truck, events, etc.) keeps the costs of the shares down; I have been part of a CSA where volunteering was not required, and it costs over double what I pay at Tuv Ha'Aretz, so it's well worth the pay-back of volunteering for a few hours.
In terms of cost, the CSA wins -- at about $25 a week, it's a bargain. For the same amount of vegetables, I can pay about $40 at the greenmarket. In addition, I enjoy playing a version of "Iron Chef" against myself -- use up all the vegetables and fruit we get (after all, wasting the vegetables is a waste of money, too). They're chosen by the farmers, so the delivery is often a surprise and an education when we get things we haven't cooked with or eaten before. I've learned to prep and love purslane, for example. And I've learned that some dishes -- for instance, like spanakopita -- are about anything which can be called "greens" -- chard, herbs, onion tops, turnip tops, carrot leaves, kale, lettuces, etc. -- and not just spinach; so, it's become my go-to for masses of greens and herbs when they are producing heavily.
With a CSA, you get a share of what the farmer is growing every week for half the year from June to November. This CSA gets its shares from an organic-certified farm (Golden Earthworm); the fruit is minimally sprayed -- pests make this the reality of trees and fruit bushes in our locale. In contrast, the farmers' market allows you to pick and choose among what's available: organic vs non, choice of produce, etc.
My cooking has changed, and I feel more attuned to the seasons since joining this CSA. The separate winter share is, as expected, less exciting and varied, but that's the reality of winter vegetables and I've become more creative and open about how I cook and feed my family and friends throughout the year. For instance, too many squashes? I make ravioli, risotto, potstickers, shepherd's pie, halvah, chili, etc. We live in Queens, considered the most culturally diverse county in the country, so we have a lot of inspiration to use "what's in the box" every week.
At ~$25 a week, I can afford to supplement from the greenmarket if there is truly something else I want in my kitchen and table. And I really love that I don't have to garden to get amazingly fresh and vibrant produce.
