Reviews for: A Fresh and Local CSA
We love the lettuces, beans, garlic, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, turnips, onions.... We also get eggs from them. In fact, we've stopped eating eggs (even the eggs that say organic at our local stores) from anyone else, so it is a BIG DEAL when Maura starts delivering eggs. Our friends love coming over for brunch - as long as we have eggs!
On top of all of this, we've learned a lot about food and farming from Allan and Maura (enough to know that it is hard work to raise tasty, nutritious food).
We're fans!
(In addition to the food, we've learned more about food, our food supply, and farming from Allan that we'd have thought possible. He is an incredible resource. Check out his blog - bdnow.org. Thanks to Allan, we've had an eye opening education.)
Anyone who doubts that the last few growing seasons have represented an unusual challenge for farmers in the eastern USA just wasn't paying attention. From cold, wet springs to prolonged summer droughts, to the regional appearance of novel fungal diseases and peculiar insect infestations (i.e., stinkbugs), the farmers haven't caught many breaks.
(From Penn State: "The brown marmorated stink bug, an insect not previously seen on our continent, was apparently accidentally introduced into eastern Pennsylvania near Allentown in 1998.")
Perhaps in the past this combination of challenges would have been enough to finish-off many of the thousands of small, dedicated organic farmers who remain afloat because of the CSA model. Buying a share in a CSA does more than provide artisan-quality fresh organic food for your table; it is a vote for agricultural sanity, and food security.
Even when a local, organic CSA experiences a crop failure, it is certain that the national supermarket chain can still guarantee to provide what it always provides; stale, nutritionally-bankrupt, pesticide laden, flavorless produce, indifferently grown with chemical stimulants, picked and packed by exploited labor, and shipped-in from distant, anonymous, factory-farms.
I'll stick with Allan and Maura.
We've been in other CSAs before, but this has by far been the best! Do yourselves a favor and join this CSA! My family is certainly looking forward to our 2011 share
We volunteered early in the season, did not find the directions to the farm terribly helpful (would it be too difficult to put some sort of marker on the triangle patch of land where you request people park?) and then were rewarded for our efforts by being told: "Yesterday's couple lapped you." This motivational technique did not sit well with us, as we were the only ones there at that time... a simple thank you would have been appreciated, instead.
We cannot recall ever receiving Brocoli, which would have been nice. Instead we got a number of odd vegetables which we had to research how to prepare. We do not mind exploring, but would have liked more staples.
Someone else said that they would have preferred less complaining and more information on how to differentiate these new exotic greens. We second that motion.
We found quantities to be small for most things, other than salad greens and potatoes.
If these are your chief concern, perhaps this CSA works for you, but it didn't work for us.
- Potatoes! Gee, we never really thought about potatoes until we tried their new potatoes a few years ago. This year there were several kinds of tasty potatoes - and we were surprised by how different they are.
- Beans! Yellow wax beans and the most wonderful Italian green beans. "Himself" never cared for beans until he tried Allan and Maura's, now he acts as if he cannot do without. He even helped pick beans (and found out just how labor intensive they are).
- Cucumbers. The cucumbers that we got early in the season were different - various shapes and sizes - and all very good. I ate most of them sliced for lunch.
- Lettuces. The lettuce in the share this week was better than any I've ever tasted. We made a salad with their lettuce and radishes, adding an onion and some of our favorite restaurant dressing. It was wonderful!
- We ordered the fruit share again and have been enjoying the juicy peaches and now the various apples - all better than anything I can select at the stores.
- We also enjoy Allan and Maura's meats. Their heritage hogs have us hooked - I'm not sure how we'd ever go back to meat from the grocery store. We just tried their new chicken and thought it was also very good. We made an excellent chicken soup and added some of the Chinese cabbage that came in our share. We expected to freeze at least a few servings, but I don't think there will be any left.
And, we still enjoy helping out on the farm although we haven't had as much time this year due to our work schedules. Allan is a fabulous teacher; we've learned more about sustainable farming from him than we ever could by reading and are much more careful consumers (and probably healthier) as a result. And, we've certainly learned that it is hard work - it makes us most appreciative of having access to pesticide-free, sustainably raised, tasty food.
I bought into this CSA based on the convenient pickup location and day of the week. However, the pick up day changed after they cashed my check. No explanation, no accomodation. Nice.
All in all, this experience has been very disappointing and I'd caution you to get more feedback before you buy a 2011 share. There are a lot of other better options out there.
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This reviewer is not being truthful.
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At this time, I would like to respond to this review. First, there seems to be a misunderstanding that we changed pick up locations. This is blatantly untrue. We have seven different drop sites in the metropolitan area. I discovered that this reviewer was a 16th Street Heights participant. We added the 16th Heights location three years ago when a group from that area approached us and asked if we would consider dropping vegetables shares to that location. This site is very much out of our way but a very awesome family volunteered their home as a pick up location and we decided to give it a try. We all figured out at that time that Thursday was the only day that we could fit driving there into our schedule. So, Thursday was the day decided on and it has always been Thursday. It has never changed. If this reviewer (who, by the way, has NEVER contacted us whatsoever) was not able to pick up there on Thursday, he or she could have changed to a Tuesday location or just not join the CSA and we would have gladly refunded her money. But she NEVER contacted us and so we did not know of her dissatisfaction. Keep in mind that people are able to pick up on Thursday from 3:00 in the afternoon until 10:00 at night and if they cannot make it during those hours, their vegetables will be refrigerated and put out the next day. All they need to do is contact the host and let them know that they can't pick up until Friday or whenever and their vegetables will be kept for them. This is made very clear on our web site and in the CSA contract. The accusation that we skipped a week is only partially true. We had a week during the CSA season where we had an emergency and we were unable to deliver. We contacted everyone ahead of time about this and we assured everyone that we would add a week on to the end. And we did just that. We extended our deliveries by one week. We never "berated" people for not picking up their shares, however, we did let people know that we would like to be contacted if they were unable to pick up their share so that we would not harvest, prepare and deliver a bag to them that would be left to rot on someone's porch. It is only common decency to let us know when a shareholder is unable to pick up their share. We totally understand that people go on vacation, have emergencies etc. We work with that. We just ask that we be notified as soon as possible so that their share can be donated to the homeless shelter or redistributed among the other CSA members and not left to rot.. Finally, we sent a newsletter at the very beginning of the season asking for those who wanted to be informed of volunteer opportunities at the farm or at the pick up locations. We started a separate list of those names and let ONLY them know when we needed help. Occasionally we mentioned in the weekly newsletter that there were some weekend activities if people wanted to come out. This included an onion planting party and also a garlic planting party where we provided a delicious lunch for everyone. The people who did come out to help were just wonderful and we all really enjoyed ourselves. Many of our shareholders like to see the farm where their food is being grown and we absolutely appreciate it when a shareholder can spend an hour or two helping us with some small task. We love to meet the CSA members and we have formed many lasting friendships over the years with people who have joined our CSA who we might not have ever gotten the opportunity to meet otherwise. We had many wonderful and positive comments this past season which is very gratifying because we really want to make people happy by providing them with delicious, nutritious, organic vegetables. We work long hours and we never cut corners. This was a challenging summer because of the drought but we still managed to grow a lot of great food. We are more than willing to provide references or forward some of the many positive comments and thank you letters we received last season and many seasons before that. Please go to our web site freshandlocal csa and email or call us with any concerns or questions you may have. I am only sorry that this reviewer did not contact us and allow us to help him/her with any problems or disappointments he or she may have had. Thank you. Maura Balliett, Fresh and Local CSA
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The rating is inappropriate. One star with hardly any comment on vegetable quality? I don't remember receiving emails from Allan that were critical of anyone's lack of farm involvement. I have loved the shares the last few years and I just think that this individual was irritated and made an irrational review. They must not have known what to expect from their share. The review is full of fallacies. The day of the site delivery has been the same for years and the "change" was most likely a misunderstanding on the reviewer's part.
This year we may get an extra CSA share to test the idea of freezing/canning some of the veggies to get us through the winter. Their vegetables taste so much better than what is available in the grocery stores that we are curious to see if we can preserve some of the taste by freezing (and we'd be eating locally grown foods). We got this idea when we read Barbara Kingsolver's book, but we hadn't considered doing this with a CSA share until now.
I'll be interested to see what Allan thinks of this idea. He and Maura are our "go to" experts on food. We've enjoyed learning from them - we are MUCH more knowledgeable thanks to what they've taught us. We like to think that we use our newfound knowledge to make ourselves healthier AND to be better stewards of our planet.
We are still enjoying some of the meat that Allan and Maura raised: beef/veal and pork. It bothers me on occasion that we are eating meat again, but I do have to admit that it is delicious. I balance my guilty (former veg/vegan) conscience with my delight that Allan and Maura raise heritage animals in a healthy, pesticide and hormone-free environment..... and, as I noted, the food is delicious!
That is all being part of this CSA. Allan is in charge of the vegetables and is happy to teach you how to grow seeds, then transplant seedlings, and then weed and prune when the plants are in the ground. Maura grows beautiful flowers. If you can't go out to the farm, just enjoy the farm products. Highly recommended CSA.
This will be my 5th season and I can't wait for the fresh greens, delicious eggs and beautiful flowers! Every year I learn about new and different plants and flowers.
Soon I will be able to be out on Allan and Maura's farm feeling the rich dirt and watching things grow.
Summer is just around the corner:-)
Some of my recollections:
1. I don't recall member labor being a "requirement" at the outset, but it quickly became more than just an invitation to pitch in, but rather an exhortation.
2. There was too much "drama" in the weekly communications and not enough description of the the food (such as how to identify which exotic Asian green was which). It just seemed surprising that the various problems Farmer Allan noted weren't things he would be accustomed to dealing with and knowing how to resolve in a measured way.
3. Food quality: It wasn't always pretty, but it was flavorful. I was introduced to greens, especially, that I'd never bothered to try or prepare previously.
4. Food quantity/distribution over the season: I felt like we had to hold out with various forms of garlic for a long time before the veggies starting coming. This would be frustrating to a person just starting with a CSA, but maybe it's also a reassurance that you're not getting "frankenfood," but rather food grown in harmony with nature's cycles.
5. If you want a farm that's "what you see is what you get," then FnL is for you. It's about as far removed from industrial farming as you can get. I can attest that the food literally went directly from the ground to your share bag within a couple days if not the same day -- no warehousing here, which is why week-to-week things were a bit erratic.
6. Geographically, when I was searching, there weren't many CSAs that provided such convenient drop-off points in NW DC. If you care about not wasting a lot of gas to get your share each week, then FnL is one of the "greener" options.
So the bottom line? If you're a first-timer, you might want to wait and see how the 2009 season works out. If you are adventurous and like to be "hands-on" with your food, then FnL provides a good opportunity.
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Perfect description of the whole operation.
We spent all day today on the farm with the couple who runs the place, Allan and Moira Balliett, helping out in the greenhouse. We were very impressed not only with what a great operation they seem to run, but with how warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate they are about healthy, sustainable, organic, locally-sourced food chains. They spent a lot of time talking to us about their food philosophy, giving us a tour of the farm, and they even sent us home with some free luscious salad and stir-fry greens and fresh eggs from their chickens.
Allan has studied sustainable farming techniques for years and is committed to responsible growing practices. Allan and Moira grow food almost exclusively for the CSA, which means that unlike a lot of CSAs, they put the best food in the boxes, rather than selling it at farmers markets. I've been a member of a number of CSAs in the past, and I can say that this program has more thought energy and heart poured into it than any small farm I've gotten to know.
Now, soil biology may not mean much to you, but as a consumer of food it ought to. Lowly soil biology is where it is at if you want nutritious food to fuel your body. And soil compaction (which is what happens with tractors) kills soil biology.
It takes a huge commitment to quality to even attempt this feat--something done for each shareholder whether they appreciate it or not. My hat is off to Farmers Allan and Maura.
My mom always used to say one high quality item is much more satisying than ten inferior ones. I used to hate that when I was a kid and wanted toys, but now I see exactly what she means. And no where is this theory more important than with food. Quality is everything.
Does the food taste amazing is a much better question to my mind than how much is in the bag. Good taste directly correlates to good nutrition. And as the old advertising slogan used to say "The quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten." Take this to heart before you start complaining about Fresh and Locals hardworking produce. And remember that Allan is out there digging for you!
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I also wanted to address "CSA shareholder's" comment that we offered eggs for sale when we weren't giving them to our CSA egg shareholders who had already paid for them. That is completely untrue. If eggs were being offered for sale, they were for the next season's CSA. And, as I have stated previously, everyone's eggs were made up to them just as soon as the hens began laying again. It is a natural cycle for hens to stop laying completely when the days get shorter but they begin laying again by mid to late January as the days begin to get longer. "CSA shareholder" must have misunderstood. Thank you. M
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The 2008 CSA season was a very difficult one for us. In the 12 years (or more ) of having a CSA, it was the one year that we experienced "problems" and , for the most part, some of the problems were really beyond our control. But, despite setbacks, we still carried on and completed our commitment to our CSA shareholders. Yes, we skipped a week during the season, but we made it up to everyone at the end. And, also, because of the very high heat, our hens did not produce as many eggs as they should (a problem that was experienced my many farmers that season) and that caused us to have to "skip" a few weeks at a few sites. However, when January rolled around and the hens were laying again, I personally contacted each egg share member and we delivered ALL the missing eggs (and then some) to people who missed out during the regular season. I actually thought that it worked out even better for people to get their eggs in January, Feb or March when we were all in the midst of winter and longing for spring. The point is, that ultimately, NO ONE was shorted eggs because we made every effort and many extra trips to our CSA sites making sure that everyone got what they paid for. As far as newsletter issues, we have always been encouraged by members and other CSA farmers to make sure that everyone knew exactly what was happening on the farm. Perhaps Allan took it to an extreme but, so what, don't read the newsletter if you don't want to know what's happening on "your" farm. It was never meant to disrupt anyone's day, it was just an update. We have learned a lot from the 2008 season, which, all said, wasn't such a bad season. Many people were satisfied. We would have preferred that EVERYONE was satisfied but apparently, that wasn't the case. It was not for lack of trying. I am proud to say, though, that the food was flavorful and GREAT care was taken with it. Allan would never even consider cutting corners in growing food. He is extremely ethical and CSA members can take heart that the food that they ate that year and every year is some of the most nutritious you will ever find. Thank you. M
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I don't know Rho so I'm assuming here, but I think the egg share problem she's referring to is the same one that bothered me. The share deliveries (egg, veg, flower) were skipped a couple of weeks in late summer, and just the egg share was skipped an additional week. Farmer Allan wrote after each of the missed deliveries that the egg shares would be made up at the end of the season, presumably extending the egg share deliveries 3 weeks beyond the regular season. When season's end rolled around, the farmer said there weren't enough eggs for all the shares but that he'd make it up next season (presuming participation in 2009 season?). Unfortunately, in the same email, he offered eggs for sale to those who wanted them.
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It's nice that folks like Ross Mohan are happy with F&L's output and communication, but unfortunate that negative reviews here are getting a trouncing. I'm glad to see Allan's response, however, so people who have never been subscribers can get a picture of the kind of wordy excuses we members have gotten all season. Maybe previous seasons were better. I really don't know, this was my first season with F&L and it'll be my last - you get your wish, Ross - I am going to find a different CSA. Honestly, I wouldn't have really minded the poor selection and output over the season if Allan hasn't prepared me to be disappointed by filling every single communication with excuses and complaints. Before the season had ever begun we got stories about difficulties with trucks and wet fields and pleadings for labor assistance. Within a month we had complaints about ethanol, rain, humidity, heat, fuel costs, non-pickups, and more. Week two brought the first of many egg no-shows. Not everything has to be good news, but we never got anything but bad news. In particular the labor complaints were hard to take. Perhaps others disagree, but in my view being a part of a CSA means putting my money on the line so someone with the ability and knowledge will take the chance with the randomness of nature. It doesn't mean I'm okay with squandering money because of someone unable to handle the management and organizing of a farm. I'm sorry that Allan's labor bailed out on him, but I find the suggestion that it would have been okay just to cancel the season because of employee problems to be distressing. If I hadn't already decided to wash my hands of the whole thing and write off the dozens of eggs we're owed before, I would have after writing that.
And, after reading Omnivore's Dilemma last year, we, who were formerly vegetarians then vegans, finished the season with eggs, beef and the best, yummiest sausage - all from Farmer Allan. We're hoping to finish this year with more beef and sausage.
No effort is made to orient new members and questions emailed to the farmer often go unanswered. I'm sure communication seems adequate to long-standing members, but I found what emails I did receive when the season began to be quite confusing. Farmer Balliett didn't encourage questions (probably unintentionally) by often remarking in his broadcast emails how behind he was in his work and so couldn't write more.
As for variety, this year (2008) was decidedly lacking in it. Shares always included leafy greens (lettuces, chard, asian cabbages), tons of garlic and a couple-three banana peppers, but little else. I can count on one hand - with fingers to spare - the number of cucumbers we received this summer. Same for large slicing tomatoes. If you want salad fixings, this isn't the CSA for you.
Perhaps 2008 has been a bad year for Fresh & Local, but I believe the focus of this farm is on leafy greens and the "Products/Crops" checklist for this CSA is misleading.
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I am not surprised to hear your feelings are hurt. I hope this means someone else will be the recipient of your constructive energies? For those remaining with the CSA (who continue to contribute time, goodwill, cash, and suggestions) we are not just "consumers" demanding our "product" We're a bit more involved than that. While I like and understand your "it's a business" rhetoric, I go farther and see "food" as a business of primary importance. Perhaps that's why I have a higher frustration threshold than you. I know what goes into food, and what I get out it. You and I differ, is all. It takes all types. Meanwhile, we're enjoying a bumper season of eggs. Best I've had not only from Allan's crew, but in general, and I eat only local eggs from pastured birds in the close-in VA/MD area. These eggs are thick-shelled, rich in color, full of flavor, and some are so big they almost don't fit in the carton. I am happy I stuck it out. I am getting a good deal, good food, and the satisfaction of supporting a business that really gives a damn. Anyway, it takes all types. I'd prefer you stick around and contribute but if you take your money, time, and criticism elsewhere, hey, that's okay by me too. No hurt feelings here. Nuff said (by me.)
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Ross: your responses are an object lesson on why dissenting voices often prefer to remain anonymous. --------- The first review for Fresh&Local (yours) uses a term indicative of how some view enterprises like CSAs: it referred to shareholders as the farmer's "flock". The metaphor (and attitude) leads us into prejudicial and destructive territory. Most likely, you and I agree that the farmer is doing good (as in virtuous) work, difficult work and work that should be encouraged. But I'm not willing to become a partisan, ignore problems or suppress my criticism in order to be politically correct in your estimation. I see myself as a customer rather than a member of the farmer's congregation, and I'm reviewing the CSA as a business effort not above constructive criticism. Criticism is a good thing and shouldn't be feared or discouraged.
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Double Odd. "CSAShareholder" (who hides their real name) has changed tune from offkey to worse. While it's true that some of us are "old hands" at email (and buying food), I wouldn't ascribe any special abilities to us other than reading and paying attention. First, "CSAShareholder" complained about FreshAndLocal's food, diversity, and lack of communication. Then "CSAShareholder" backtracked, and ignored the food issue. then "CSAShareholder" said it was a problem of "quality not quantity" of email. Then, amazingly, CSAShareholder accuses the farmer -- under cover of anonymity -- to sending out "very misleading" checklist information. Make up your mind as you anonymously attack someone. It shows purpose, if not courage. Speaking personally, although getting a bag of delights from Fresh and Local CSA is not identical to having a salad at TGI Friday's -- in other words, you might have to choke back a sob and not have a cucumber in every salad -- I personally find the variety inspiring and delicious. Dozens of other shareholders I've spoken to and worked with over the three or four years I've been on this CSA would agree. You clearly do not agree. Why not find another place to complain about? I've had minor glitches over the years with F&L CSA, just as I have trouble with FedEx, TGIF's (they left a cucumber out of my salad) and Allan has corrected each and every one of them. In my opinion, this is normal. I regret if any of this communication further offends "CSAShareholder's" fragile and whimsical feelings, but I believe we should treat people in email and online forums as we would in person, if possible. IE honest, open, clear communication and criticism. Willy-nilly attacks under a cowardly cover of anonymity doesn't cut it. Make up a name, and stick to a complaint; that way somebody can have an adult conversation with you, and address your specific complaint. (That is, if you actually want your complaint handled.) Of course, there is another solution --- Find Another CSA. Fresh and Local is a very good one and fills up quickly -- more so every year -- and it would be good to have some breathing room. And fresh air.
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I read my email. Again, my comment is from a new shareholder's point of view and the quality of communication may seem adequate to old-hands. And I do mean quality, not quantity. I don't disagree that farmer Allen sends out plenty of email. I'd like to note that the communication difficulties, although frustrating, aren't my primary issue with this CSA. The CSA checklist the farmer filled out on this site is _very_ misleading.
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Odd. I find this farmer's communication to be very complete. Every week we get an email update, usually one day of harvest, a third one with recipes and information about upcoming events. In addition, the website has lots of information on timing, content, philosophy, and operation of this CSA Perhaps this anonymous poster is insufficiently attentive to their email, and so is missing a good portion of the information already being offered.
The eggs and flower shares are among the very, very best I have seen.
Things he doesn't provide directly under his beyond-organic protocol he partners with others to provide. (e.g. Fruits.)
He's going year-round, with a winter greens offering this year.
Price is right, this farmer's spirit is in the right place and it shows.
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Whoops, I meant to click 5 stars!