Reviews for: Bee Heaven Farm / Redland Organics

Besides getting fresh, tasty, locally-grown produce, these are my favorite aspects of Bee Heaven: (1) webstore allows you to add on to your delivery (2) diversity of products available through webstore (3) most weeks deliver produce that make good companions in recipes (recipe suggestions are available too) (4) the connection my family feels to our local farmers through newsletters and farm events

Year one in CSA was a lot of discovery. In year two, I used many of my go-to recipes from year one, but there were still enough new foods to keep things fun and fresh in the kitchen.

I just wish the season could be year-round. ;)

I am a very critical consumer and I look for the slightest faults in any of the things I purchase. Bee Heaven Farm's CSA was found to not only be fault free, but they exceeded my already lofty expectations by delivering, perfect, healthy, delicious, fruits and vegetables throughout the entire growing season.

In addition, the variety of each week's box was superb and the quality and freshness matched or exceed the variety.

At first the price seemed steep, but for the amount of food, the high quality and the amazing variety, I can say I got far more than what I paid for. I will definitely sign-up for this CSA next season.

If there were ten stars, I would give Bee Heaven Farm a perfect ten. I recommend this CSA highly.

This was my first year doing the CSA with Bee Heaven. I was really impressed with the quality and diversity of the produce. I will definitely recommend to others!

I have been buying produce from Bee Heaven Farm for many years and finally this year had a chance to participate in their CSA program. What a blessing it's been!!!! I love everything about it - delicious beautiful locally grown veggies and fruits, the adventure and surprise you get with every pick-up, and wonderful hardworking staff. It's truly a lot of fun to open up a box each week and find great quality products delivered directly from the local farms. I was introduced to so many varieties of veggies and loved them all. Communication with the organizers, mostly Margie, has been always pleasant and very personal. The whole experience was very personal and that's what you never find at a grocery store. I will certainly continue to participate in the program and will continue to support the farm in every way possible. Highly recommend this CSA program to everyone. Join and see for yourselves!

This was like Christmas every Saturday! A big basket with something for everyone, including our rabbits (who are huge CSA fans). There were lots of greens, turnips, beets that took some creativity to plan meals - made lots of turnip/ beet chips. We grew our own tomatoes, there were not large amounts of tomatoes in the small share. This was an overall great start for us to eat more vegetables, try preparing vegetables different ways, and eat local. We really enjoyed the produce, the news letter and the adventure of new foods.

My family has been Bee Heaven Farm/Redland Organics CSA subscribers for years, and we look forward to it every season. It's beautifully organized and the variety and quality of local produce just gets better and better. The greens are vibrant and I rely on them, but there's also the thrill of "discovering" produce like romanesco -- it's like making new friends.

Margie's newsletter not only explains what we're getting each week but gives some back story about the interns or the produce that makes me appreciate all the more the commiment that goes into making this happen. As an advocate for plant-based sustainable food, it's a delicious way to live -- and eat -- in accordance with my beliefs. This CSA is the best South Florida has to offer.

6th year (or maybe more, I've lost count), a vegetarian's dream, downsized to small share and then ordered extras from mid-week market email notice. Love exposure to different fruits/vegetables as well as return of favorites: beets, fennel, mushrooms, patty pan squash, rainbow chard and romanesco. This year discovered new pesto possibilities like fennel fronds, carrot greens, scallions. Love the weekly newsletter that identifies what's in the share, keeps me connected with local farmers and interns,& provides recipes.

We have participated since year one and shared with another family of dear friends. A wonderful way to enjoy not only the produce, but to organize pick ups and see one another. We have learned by experience, not only what grows well in S. Fl., but how to consume it. There is always something new and interesting. Delicious, ethical, grounding. We eat better during the season and really enjoy opportunities to go to the "Gleaning" and other gatherings, when our sports schedule permits. Wish we got a bit more fruit and miss the extras that we used to share before so many folks signed up, but we are extremely pleased and plan to continue as long as this endearing CSA exists! S. Fl. was sorely lacking in accessible organics and Bee Heaven and their extended family of farms takes up the slack.

Having moved here from Southern California, I was very concerned about the lack of farm to table product available to me through the traditional markets until I discovered the CSA through Bee Heaven Farm. I have used them for a few years now and have been happy with the quality of the product and the consistent level of service. It is a haven for people who truly care about what they put into their bodies. And it always tastes so good!

My husband and I switched to the half share last year because we found the full share for two was too much. The half share has been perfect the last two years! This was our third season with Bee Heaven Farms and we have really enjoyed experimenting with all the new vegetables and fruits we get each week. I also was lucky enough to get into the egg shares for the second year in a row. These eggs have so much flavor and remind me of the eggs we would get when we would go visit Grandma on the farm in Michigan.

Thanks for the good memories and the healthy food! We love it and plan on staying a member forever!

Thanks to everyone who provided the much appreciated veggies, fruit and honey. Every Saturday felt like Christmas when I went to pick up my box. The newsletter provided interesting stories and useful information about some of the more unusual edibles plus recipes. Can't wait for next years season...

I really enjoyed participating in this season's CSA. The fruits and vegetables were always delicious and not once did I find something in my share that was not top quality. There was always a great variety in my share and the recipes and newsletters were very helpful in learning how to prepare and identify new produce. I loved the extras box-it is a great way to allow others to enjoy what you might not and also grab an extra of something you really love. I appreciate all the effort that goes in to making the CSA possible and I look forward to participating again next year!

Thanks Margie for another year of wonderfully flavorful veggies and fruits selected from your farm and your farm partners. Thanks also goes out to the young interns that work with Bee Heaven.

Thanks for the parties we have had at the farm with our families, music, food, friends, etc. It is a welcomed relief from the city.

Though I could chose to pick my veggies up near my home, I find it enjoyable to actually drive to the farm from my home in the Gables. (I drive a Prius Hybrid, so it's not so extravagant) En route, I stop at orchid growers to drool or even select a new specimen for my collection. Or, I drop by Fairchild's Whitman Farm (SW 248 St.) for a tropical fruit smoothee. Lots of nurseries and interesting pottery offered along the way along Krome Ave. Homestead is really underrated.

If for some reason I can't pick up my veggies, I ask a friend if they want an 'out of city' experience and everyone comes back enamored with the adventure.

While awaiting our next season at Bee Heaven, I'll just have to be content driving to Whole Foods for my organic produce fix. Boring.

It was so nice to get fruits and vegetables full of taste and flavor that had not traveled all the way from California. Carrots tasted so sweet and delicious and the greens made me feel healthier all winter. This was a great experience and enhanced my cooking and eating for many months

I signed up for a full share with two friends (we each got vegetables every 3 weeks). It was great!! I was a bit worried at first that I wouldn't be able to use everything in my share on a timely basis, but I did, and it was delicious!! And, of course, I got some vegetables that I'd never tried before - a definite plus!!

I just finished my second season with Bee Heaven and I've been very happy with the experience. My half share was had nearly too many fruits and vegetables for me to finish in a week, but with the high quality and wide variety it was always an inviting challenge to find ways to prepare it all.

There are other good features beyond the produce. Early delivery to plenty of local pick up spots and when mine had to close Margie quickly arranged for a new one even more convenient. A newsletter with pictures for vegetable identification, recipes, news from the farm, maunderings from the interns and plugs for my blog. And we're not required to work on the farm, but there are interesting events down there should you care to go. I missed the how-to-pluck-a-chicken class last year, but I'm definitely going if there's a repeat.

It has been such a good experience getting fresh produce one does not have to worry about. I loved to try new dishes and all turned out great. Spending more time in the kitchen was well worth it and everyone in the family enjoyed it. The selection was fantastic and the price as well, considering what we have to pay at the supermarket. I have done this for three years now and it has become a way of life. I suggest to others who opt for healthy foods to try it for themselves.

This was our first year with Bee Heaven and our first year living in Southern Florida. Joining a CSA was an excellent way to get to know the local produce, especially all the new, exotic fruits! We will definitely be doing it again next year. I saved all the newsletters for their recipes and really enjoyed the special treats like the honey and herbs. Thanks for all your hard work!

Great, fantastic, delicious, informing, clever, educating, the best. Bee Heaven Farms put so much energy and thought into each drop for the farm-share, including the COMMunityPOST, that it was such a pleasure every time we picked it up. I am really amazed and very positively surprised that something so dedicated exists in Miami. Thank you so very much for all you do, we enjoyed every last bite of it! Verena & Rainer

This was our first year and our family was extremely happy with the produce we got. Everyone including our 9 year old son felt adventurous enough to give every single goodie a chance. The newsletter with pictures and names of everything was a huge help.

We were happily surprised with the honey as well! I would only like to see more fruits included in our share next year.

We have enjoyed picking up the wonderful, fresh organic produce for three years. Our home menues have benefited from the introduction of fruits and veggies new to us. The staff and interns are great! There's no going back!

Ted and Carolann Baldyga

This CSA is really fantastic, and Bee Heaven does a fantastic job. I will be signing up again. The veggies are always great, and the newsletter is a welcome addition. I will sign up again, and have recommended it to all my neighbors. The most challenging aspect is figuring out what to do with everything each week, and making sure nothing was wasted.

Everything was great about our first season with the Bee Heaven/Redlands CSA. Great produce, fresh and good variety. The delivery was reliable and easy. My kids really loved it too - my 6 year old was so excited about reading the newsletter every week and trying new things. I thought it was a good value and I recommend it highly. Can't for November and the next season!

We are so thankful to have been part of the program. The vegetables were fresh and the weekly recipes and newsletters were so helpful. This was our first year and we will definitely register again next year, but for a Full Share. Thank you for such a wonderful season!

This was our second year as a shareholder; and the selections this year were even better. Quality was as superb as last. And the delivery was always on time. Look forward to next year.

Great variety. Great value.

Very happy with the CSA experience and will renew this year. Too bad that there is no summer season.

I recommend Bee Heaven for great quality produce and great customer service. I'm always sorry to see the end of the season, and will renew for next year!

My family, including our 3 kids loved the excitement, and delicious nutrition, of the weekly veggie surprise box. We would play a "name that veggie" game with our kids and open discussion. Although in the end the greens such as kale were hard for the children to get used to, a lot of other items were new to us and were a great success. The canistel soup printed in the newsletter was an all around hit! The CSA program is a good value, convenient, and eco-friendly. I would recommend to anyone!. See you next year. And thanks to our South Miami host!

I really enjoyed the CSA for a first time participant. We were amazed by the best strawberries ever, incredible carrots, tomatoes, starfruit and eggfruit. My wife and daughter were somewhat skeptical of all the greens, so I've been eating a lot. The newsletter is chock full of suggestions and made participation much more fulfilling.

I'm bummed we could never make it to the farm, as the events sound so inviting and I'd love to have my kids understand how food is produced. I am working in a hospital every other weekend and my wife has her hands full with an infant, so Saturday pick-ups were somewhat challenging.

Just finished our second season. YUM. Great opportunities to try new and different foods. It is like getting a present every week. Love knowing we are supporting a local farm and network. We will certainly do this again next season. Thanks.

the variety and quality of the veges has made my cooking something I look forward to every week. The recipes from the newsletters and associated blogs have been excellent and always look forward to the new suggestions. Looking forward to next season!!

A friend and I share the weekly harvest. We love trying new recipes for the variety of produce we receive. This year was our first egg share. We are forever spoiled. Best of all is the ease of picking up our vegtables near our house.

We love our vege coop. Have been at it 3 years. The two of us manage to eat a full share. Each week is like christmas. The eggs and honey are the best also. janet gato big pine key

This was our third CSA season - never better. The freshness and variety were exceptional. Highlights were potatoes, kale, dandelion greens (reminder of my childhood!), radicchio, corn, strawberries, citrus, tomatoes, black sapote, avocado, herbs, honey... My family especially enjoyed our first year of Rachel's eggs. The blue eggs were hoarded and hard-cooked at Easter - MUCH more festive than food coloring.

Bill Jacobs Tinkeringwithdinner blog was a must-read at our house. We particularly enjoyed Bill's black sapote oat bars and look forward to tinkering with the recipe to enjoy with summer fruit. The time and attention spent documenting inspired me to plan ahead and use almost everything. Much less in the compost bin this year (not even the lettuce!)

Thank you Margie and all for helping me provide my family with local, organic and delicious meals. See you next year!

Not only do I get fabulous local produce (the greens in particular have been a hit with me this year), but the value over the course of a season is excellent. And when I don't have time to use something, my in-laws & neighbors are always happy to accept a bag of mizuna or green beans. This year I made kim chee for the first time, and also figured out how wonderful radishes are with eggs. Every Saturday is the start of a new adventure.

This was our first year with the Bee Heaven CSA, and we will definitely be back next season. We were surprised by the variety each week, and were pleased to be introduced to so many new fruits and vegetables. We had a full share for a family of 5, and with 2 of our children on very restricted diets for food sensitivities, it was great to be able to expand the menu options for them. The pictures and info provided each week were quite helpful as well.

We enjoyed our full share this year. The Canistel 'egg fruit' was a wonderful dicsovery. The 'white beets' were excellent. It does challenge me for new recipes. But there are lots of them online these days.

My deliveries were always accurate and timely, very happy with the Bee Heaven service!

We loved opening our full share each week and learning about new veggies! The newletter, with its photos and recipes, were helpful as well as interesting to read. We tried all of the recipes and they were varied and delicious. The articles by the interns were also fun to read.

The CSA made us healthier eaters, and happy and proud to support local agriculture and do the right thing for the environment. The "miles to the table" chart was something I shared with my child and the students in my classroom.

We'll miss you this summer!

I loved getting the fresh produce each week. We are a family of 5 and the full share was enough to keep us in veggies for the week with sometimes leftovers for the following week. I think it was well worth the cost. I have a new favorite green..calalloo. Yum. That was delicious. I never tasted better carrots in my life. I hoarded those like they were gold. And the french radishes were another treat I had never experienced before. I can't wait till next season. I just wish our growing season was longer.

Another great year. This was our 4th season and it was the best yet. The half share was just enough for two. The eggs were fresh and so different from the supermarket.

Loved the selections. New to the world of veggies outside of broccoli. Would not have known what half the veggies and fruits were if it wasn't for the great newsletter with photos and recipes... Love the fact that I am supporting our local farmers and appreciate all the hard work. Pick-up was so easy and conveniant. Definitely will be signing up again. Thanks!!

What a wonderful treat every week receiving a basketful of locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and last season eggs. It's the highlight of every Saturday heading to the neighbor's house to pick up our weekly basket of goodies.

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

This is my first year participating in the program and I have loved every weekend of the program. What an amazing way to support our local farmers. I'm just sad that the season is over already. I'll definitely be signing up next year again.

Thank you, Margie, for your wonderful work!

I loved the CSA. Great variety or fruits and veggies. Sme that I was not familliar with but loved trying. THe pictures and recipes in the newsletter were great. Must have them to know what you are getting. I loved the surprise that each week would bring. Definietly signing up again next year

I just finished my third season, and I am as happy now as when I started. Every week a great variety of delicious fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables delivered close to my home. My only suggestion would be to have a north location for the summer specials. Keep up the great work !

Kudos to Margie and the team for a wonderful season. We really enjoyed the selection and the quality of the produce, fruit and honey. The newsletter photos are a must and we would appreciate more tips on the produce provided relative to extended storage, recipes and other helpful hints. The stories about the farm experiences relative to the weather that week and how the chickens are producing eggs, makes you feel like you are on the farm. Keep up the work on the newsletter, we appreciate how time consuming producing this every week can be. Wonderful experience, we look forward to another season. Also, the the family at the Pembroke Pines pickup site were delightful, we appreciate all their efforts to make the pickup so easy. Kuddos to their generosity in hosting all the members on a weekly basis.

To Margie and her team:

Thanks for another great CSA season. The freshness and variety of the fruits and veggies were excellent, as always. And the newsletter, with its news and recipes, is a weekly must-read. Indeed, we keep all the newsletters and refer back t the recipes and tips regularly. We look forward to signing up again for next season.

Kathy & Buck

Every weekend was like Christmas. You never knew what was going to be in your box. This was my first year and we really enjoyed the super fresh produce. Was a learning experience since we got to experience many vegetables and herbs we had never tried before. Was great to experiment with new recipes. Was glad we were given the chance to try new produce. Items were so very fresh and packed beautifully. Our host home in Palmetto Bay was exceptional. Will definitely hope we are given to the chance to participate again.

We love getting our locally grown and organic veggies and fruits. We are getting used to the offerings, but at the beginning some of the items were new to us. The newsletter is helpful with its pictures, recipes and the wonderful articles by the interns! We appreciate the farmers and their hard work and look forward to joining again for the next season. Linda Goodman, Palmetto Bay, FL

This was my first year. I really enjoyed the experience. It was fun picking up all the goodies on Saturday mornings, then planning meals around what we got. The service was great and the produce was outstanding! This was a trial run for me and I am happy to say, I will be doing it again.

I have been a member for a lot of years, it is great I look forward every year to the start of CSA

Lourdes