Be Wise Ranch Organic Farm

Our small family has been a member of the Be Wise Ranch CSA program for more than two years. We LOVE it! The program structure is flexible enough to meet changing needs (we started with a small box every other week (not enough), later changed to a small box every week (too much), and now get a large box every other week (just right). Initially, it took some creativity and inspiration on my part to manage/appreciate the unfamiliar produce and schedule, as well as make the best use of the box contents (using items in order of perishability, for instance) but the CSA cookbook, Asparagus to Zucchini (avail at Amazon) was a godsend. I refer to it many times a week.

The BWR produce is always very high quality, and often remains fresher much longer than produce from the store or even a farmer's market, because I receive it so soon after harvest. I can breeze through the produce section of stores now (reducing my shopping trips and overall shopping time considerably) because most of my produce shopping is already done. I have learned to anticipate what is grown when in SD County, and I adjust my menus accordingly. Out-of-season, long-distance produce in stores rarely tempts me anymore, and that saves lots o' money, too. Some of our Be Wise products have become such favorites (strawberries, leeks, italian parsley & more) that I buy more in our "no box" week from Jimbo's Naturally, which carries Be Wise Ranch's retail produce. I am sure to shop on days when BWR produce is on Jimbo's shelves, because I prefer BWR produce over those from industrial farms in other parts of CA, if I can help it.

Our vegetable consumption has risen tremendously since our membership in Be Wise's CSA. All of us have more adventurous palates now, including my 9 year old. Some veggies took a number of tries with different recipes to find a winning preparation method, but nearly all have found a welcome spot in our meals. Experiment! The few items that haven't found favor in our family are usually very appreciated by friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

In the two+ years of our membership, the share price has only been increased once, despite rising fuel, land, labor, and insurance costs, making the CSA membership an extremely good value, even with the rising trend in food prices (which are mostly due to rising commodity grain, processing, packaging, and long-distance transport costs). Be Wise Ranch produce is worth much more than the share cost. Additionally, I know the dollars I spend stay local, supporting a family-operated local farm, rather than flowing out of the county, state, and country to mega-corporations and multiple middle-men, not to mention oil interests. Keeping our local farms in business is vital to a thriving and diversified economy in the county and region.