Bee Heaven Farm / Redland Organics

By: Laura Lafata (Apr 21, 2009)
This was my first year participating in the CSA with Bee Heaven/Pikarco and I must say, I have learned SO MUCH! I am a person that goes to the produce dept. of the grocery and get's upset: high prices and not so fresh food. Doing the CSA with Margie's farm and other participating farms this year was a delight and I got all warm inside knowing that not only was I helping to support their farms but also had an interesting selection of produce that I would not normally have access to. Not to mention the selection of super-fresh, just-picked-with-farm-dirt-still-on-them veggies! You can't get much fresher than that!

I also enjoyed the variety of produce I got each week. Initially, I was concerned that I'd get the same stuff week after week. I liked how it was mixed up and I never got bored.

Doing the CSA not only taught me to eat what's in season but introduced me to regional produce. Callalloo? Sugarcane? I explored each new item with gusto and made it a challenge to use only what was in my share each week. (you can see the challenges and other food musings/recipes et al on my blogspot for La Diva Cucina on Blogger or thru my website) The newsletter with recipes and photos helped me identify what was what as well as kept me "close" to what was going on at the farm.

Also, I really enjoyed going down to the farm and actually seeing where some of the produce was grown. (Margie, we need to have more outings!)

As I'm relatively new to Miami (and Southern Florida) it's been a challenge to eat locally and seasonally, I had no idea what was even in season. I've learned so much just by being a part of the CSA and by being a part of that community, it also makes one feel closer to the farmers and growers of what I eat. The trials and triumphs of the farmers were shared by all of us! Thank you!

I'm looking forward to learning more about the food we choose to buy and prepare and wish we could do this all year round! (By the way, people in other states that read my blog are JEALOUS of the produce we get here!!!)

Margie and farm friends: Thanks for all the hard work, our household so appreciates it all!

Laura "La Diva" Lafata La Diva Cucina

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