Putting the Loca in Locavore

I know it’s the dead of winter and the thought of tank tops is offensive, but now is the time to sign up for a Summer CSA, if you’re so inclined.  The farmshares tend to sell out quickly, by February in some cases, so here are the ones I know in the area with a link to their web sites:

• Drumlin Farm, Lincoln, MA: Shares open to the public starting February 3.

• Lindentree Farm, Lincoln, MA: Certified organic.  Limited slots available.  To get on the list, you first have to attend an orientation in March.  Contact them for more details.

• Waltham Fields, Waltham, MA: Usually sells out to within its membership, but reserves 15% of the shares for Waltham residents.  Check back in February.

• Allandale Farm, Brookline, MA: This is their first year offering a CSA, which is good news for folks in JP and West Rox.  Shares are on sale now.  (thanks to Karl for the heads up)

• Land’s Sake Farm, Weston, MA: Certified organic.  Likely to sell out from its waiting list.  Check with them after January 19.

• The Food Project, Lincoln, MA: Shares available now.

• Siena Farms, Sudbury, MA: Shares available now.  They offer two choices: 1) a traditional box-type membership; or 2) member discounts at their farmstands.

• Busa Farm, Lexington, MA: Shares available now.  Instead of a pre-determined distribution, their CSA gives you coupons to choose whatever vegetables you want, whenever you want, as well as pick-your-own.

Some of these farms are certified organic, but all of them grow their crops sustainably and responsibly.  I can personally vouch for Drumlin Farm, and I have friends who are over the moon for Lindentree and Waltham.  I would say you probably can’t go too far wrong with any of them, but then the metro Boston area will be plagued by floods and pestilence the likes of which we’ve never seen and then you’ll all blame me, so you takes your chances.  If I’ve forgotten any farms in this arbitrary radius I’ve laid out, simply add the info to the comments section.  I know there are several other farms further out that deliver to the area, like Stillman’s and Picadilly, so you can look into those, too.

If you’re not up for a full-blown commitment to any particular farm, but you’re feeling sociable and want to know what all this local-eating ballyhoo is about, Drumlin is hosting a Winter Harvest Dinner at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 6 at the farm.  The menu includes local cheese, Tuscan kale soup, frittata, locally raised meat, roasted winter vegetables, and pumpkin pie.  Brian Donahue, author of Reclaiming the Commons: Community Farms and Forests in a New England Town will be speaking.  Tickets are $32 each for Mass Audubon members, $40 for nonmembers.  For reservations, call 781-259-2206 by January 30.

[Thanks to Universal Hub for the link.  Be sure to check out the feisty comments.]

Comments

[Heather]

It's never too early for CSA signups! just like it's not too early to start looking through seed catalogs.

I can only grow so much, and am trying to set up a swap for local veggie growers (myself among them) so one never has to be lousy with anything. I think it'll be ideal for the singles and two-person households that want to grow a variety but lack space, and can't eat five tomatoes every day during the summer.

[Jodi]

We've been Stillman members for 5 years now and I can't say enough great things about the farm, the farmers and their amazing produce! They have a few different pickup locations, including JP and Quincy. If you're near enough to Quincy, I highly recommend it, they have a great farmers market there where you can add to your weekly pickup with fresh breads, cheeses and plants and flowers. Also, they offer a full share and a half share. The half share is perfect for 1 or 2 people.

[Tammy]

Jodi: Thanks for the info. I enjoyed Stillman's meat CSA last year.

Heather: A swap is a great idea. I wonder what someone would trade me for a bunch of wilty herbs?

[Sarah]

I know both Red Fire Farm and Brookfield Farm deliver to the Cambridge/Somerville area from Western MA. Red Fire shares are available now (and they also have fruit and cut flower shares you can add on!); Brookfield ones won't be until later in the month.

Parker Farm in Lunenburg isn't listed anywhere but has huge shares for relatively little money. As far as I can tell, Farmer Steve only ordinarily drops off in Somerville and Cambridge, but it's a one-man show and I think if you called him and asked to go to the farm, he'd probably let you!

Although she's not doing a summer share this year, Belmont Farm is a place to know about, not least because she hosts an awesome winter share. Finally, there's a farm in Newton that is opening shares to Newton residents in early Feb and to the rest of us later that month.