Tuesdays are "Ranchero John Day" at our house! We've been members of Rio Gozo since shortly after it started delivering to Ventura. We began by sharing a box with a friend. We soon found that we could use the entire box so committed to a year to have home delivery.
The convenience of having it delivered at home has been great. It is not easy for us to make it out to the farmers markets that do have organic produce and we have been greatly disappointed by the absence of any organic produce at the Ventura Farmers Market downtown on Saturdays.
Other reviews likely rave about the food itself -- so I will keep this part brief. It is fabulous. It is fresh, rich, and filled with flavor and nutrients. It is incredible to experience the different taste and texture of vegetables picked that morning.
They have begun expanding by offering eggs and organic, fair trade coffee. Sometimes there are some fruits included in the haul. I look forward to them developing more organic fruit sources -- as we would love more fruit.
One of our favorite aspects of Rio Gozo is that it is a calling for John and Elizabeth -- far from just an income. They truly want people to have a connection with their food source -- to know where their food comes from. And this means knowing both their farmers and the farm itself. We enjoy getting to see "Ranchero John" to talk food, farms, children and much more under the sun every week. Whenever we have a question during the week -- we hear back quickly from Elizabeth when we email.
And without knowing your farmer -- how can you develop trust in the food source you are giving your family? I was concerned about lead and how it is outside the organic certification requirements. I talked with John about this and he noted that one can, of course, separately test the soil for lead. I asked if they'd done so -- and he assured me they had and that it was not a problem in their soil. If you don't trust your farmer, how can you trust your food is not lead-laden?
They also want people to be able to know the farm itself. One can very happily be a CSA member, enjoy the delicious, fresh, organic produce, and no more. But if one is interested in more -- that is an option with Rio Gozo. They hold potlucks on the farm -- where you can walk around with your family (including your dog), meet other CSA members, others who coordinate with the farm (such as their egg vendor), family and friends of John and Elizabeth and more, not to mention that there is delicious, fresh, organic food.
You feel as if they are truly opening their home to you. That is -- they live on the farm -- that's not all that common anymore. This is not some agri-tainment gig with caged animals taken out for a stroll for a fee. This is their home. When the gathering is around Thanksgiving, their visiting family is there to visit with you. When you need to use the restroom, it is in their home. When the sun goes down, the fires are lit outside and there is campfire music.
If we want to visit the farm any other time -- we are always welcome. Recently, we were out when "Ranchero John" came by our home with the veggies. Our 3 year old was so sad to have missed him that we went to the farm the next afternoon. We did not have to make any special arrangements -- we just showed up and were welcomed. Our son loves walking around the farm -- seeing where his food comes from, pulling up a carrot fresh from the dirt, nipping off an edible flower from the arugula, getting his boots really muddy . . . .
The connection our son has with the farm and farmers is such a gift to us -- from his understanding of food and its source to his sheer joy in touching and tasting at the farm. Our 9 month old daughter is just beginning to enjoy the weekly visits as well. We open up the cooler for her on the porch, she peers inside at all the veggies, and dives in. To feel that it is safe (and healthy, no less) for her to chew whatever she wishes to pick out, is such a joy for us (yes -- we watch for choking hazards). When there are flowers in the haul, we are not worried about the children touching the flowers (let alone taking a bite) for fear of pesticides that then go in their mouths when their hands inevitably enter their mouths. It's all available to them -- that's a wonderful, safe, feeling to give them.
I highly recommend this CSA - it's the next best thing to your own (organic) family farm - without having to worry about Mother Nature. read more
