Papa Spuds
Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle has had more of an influence on me than most books. It’s about a family, that for a year, ate only what they could grow and harvest on their farm or buy locally. It has caused me to think even more about where my food comes from. Now I feel a tinge of guilt for buying apples from Washington or avocados from Mexico. Food does taste better when it’s in season and doesn’t travel across the country.
Most of us are not farmers or have large gardens in our backyard. We rely on the produce and goods we can buy from the supermarket. But there is another option that allows you–the consumer– to support local farms and the local economy. It’s called a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. Individuals purchase a share of a farm’s seasonal harvest and receive a box of produce (or eggs, cheese, meat) weekly or monthly. A CSA is a way to have a relationship with the people that grow your food. Food is seasonal. You will not receive cantaloupe in April or asparagus in September. Some CSA’s even ask that you volunteer to work on the farm during the season.
A little over a month ago I looked around for a local CSA but couldn’t find an available spot. Also as a young single person, I wasn’t sure I could commit to paying a lot up front (~$500). But shortly afterwards, I stumbled upon Papa Spud’s through a friend on facebook. She had just received her first box of vegetables–delivered to her front door–and loved it. She said it helped her out tremendously since graduate school took up most of her time. I went to their website to learn more “Papa Spud’s is an online farmer’s market, working to connect Triangle residents with local and/or sustainable farmers and their products.” I was intrigued. The biggest selling point for me was the weekly subscription, and that you can cancel the service anytime you’d like. I decided to try it, and I’ve been receiving the Weekly Sampler for the past six weeks.
The benefits of Papa Spuds:
1) Weekly subscription - Two options: Weekly Sampler $22.99, Family sampler $40.99
2) Customization of options - You can modify what you’d like in your box.
3) Menu tells you where your food comes from - location, farm name, local and/or organic.
4) Save $$$ at the grocery store
5) Support local and regional farms
6) Get creative with cooking! They include a recipe card each week in the box.
It’s your choice to buy local or regional or organic. You can buy exclusively local or mix it up. I spend less money at the store now, because I want to make sure I eat everything in the box. I plan my meals around what food I get that week. I look forward to Wednesdays with much anticipation–similar to how you feel when you’re expecting a package. I love being greeted by a box of local greens, sweet potatoes, goat cheese and Neomonde pita bread at my door. Go ahead, give Papa Spud’s a try. Not only will you support local agriculture but you’ll support a local business as well.
Excellent post! I felt the same way about Kingsolver’s book, and Papa Spuds looks very much worth checking out. Thanks.