Stay at Home Moms
Allycat11
member
Farmer's Market/CSA
Allycat11
member
I think the Farmer's Market in our area is pretty pathetic so I don't go as often as I would like. This year I am trying to get better so I'd love some input on what your Farmer's Market shopping experience is like.
1. Do you think the prices are better than the supermarket?
2. Do you buy from the same people every week or do you switch it up?
3. How do you decide which farm you want to purchase from?
Also, for those of you that purchase CSA shares/boxes/whatever you want to call them, do you think they are a better value than if you went to the Farmer's Market or supermarket and purchased produce yourself?
11/2010 Diagnosed with PCOS
10/31/11 M/C at 9 weeks
1/12/13 DD was born
4/9/16 DS was born
9/17 CP
6/23/18 BFP EDD 3/4/19
1/12/13 DD was born
4/9/16 DS was born
9/17 CP
6/23/18 BFP EDD 3/4/19
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Re: Farmer's Market/CSA
This, except ours in $700 for 18 boxes (I want to live where you live!). We also get an egg share from our farmer for an additional fee. I love our CSA! They have work days where you can go 'help' and have lunch and play little on the farm. They also have camping weekends where you can go down and camp on their property, join them for breakfast and dinner and enjoy the farm for the weekend. We usually do a day trip and then come back for dinner. Last year their kids were in a local play so we went to that after dinner. It's a great time and the food that he grows is wonderful.
1. Do you think the prices are better than the supermarket? On some items the prices are better, most are not. I'm willing to pay more because the quality at the farmer's market is usually much better than the supermarket.
2. Do you buy from the same people every week or do you switch it up? I switch it up.
3. How do you decide which farm you want to purchase from? I buy the produce that looks best that week.
Our CSA is definitely more expensive than the local supermarket and close to the same price as the Farmer's Market. The produce is great quality and it's nice to get it right at my door. Plus it's fun to try items that we probably would never buy if it didn't come in our box.
all of this except we pay 550 for a half share (15lbs of produce per week) for 30 weeks...Early May - Late Nov... Quality is incomparable.
J+E ~ 08/25/2007 DD#1 ~ 05/11/2010 DD#2 ~ 09/25/2013 DD#3 ~ 06/09/2016 Baby #4 Due ~ 01/16/2023
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
BFP#1 7/13/11 EDD 3/16/12 DS born 3/16/12
BFP#2 5/16/14 EDD 1/23/15 CP 5/21/14
BFP#3 6/25/14 EDD 3/2/15
1. Do you think the prices are better than the supermarket?
Generally, yes, especially in late July- through September on produce that is grown easily here. Organic produce is typically cheaper at the farmer's market because often the grocery store will only have 1 type of organic, say, cucumber, that must be shipped from afar.
2. Do you buy from the same people every week or do you switch it up?
Well, I generally buy organic, so it's easiest for me to purchase from the same vendors as I've already spoken to them about their growing practices, etc. But if I have time I do like to try out new vendors as well.
3. How do you decide which farm you want to purchase from?
I like to support those who grow organic, sustainable produce, and are as local as possible.
CSA boxes can be a great value for the quality, but the trick is to use all of what you are given. It can be difficult to get through all your produce, especially if you aren't used to cooking with certain vegetables, etc. If you end up throwing away a lot of food, then I definitely don't think you come out ahead.
Overall they aren't much cheaper than the super markets. But our stores are pretty good about stocking local produce.
Our CSA is a great deal, largely because they deliver. I love having it show up on my porch! But as for the actual content, it's probably about the same price as the markets.
Our farmers market is weird. I don't think there are many farmers lol, mostly gourmet foods and cupcakes.
there is one that is only open in summer, it's all outdoors and you buy direct from the farmers. With our rain this year it may not open until late July.
1. No ours is more expensive
2. I switch it up to what looks good, again I'm talking cupcakes and French bakeries, not fruits and veggies lol! Most of the veggies are not local that are sold, ugh!
3. I decide based on what looks good.