Onions and Such

[stdesjardins]

I've been thinking about food. My new neighborhood, as you may know, currently has no supermarket. I've been making do with deliveries from Safeway and trips to Whole Foods on the Metro. But soon I'll have three options for fresh vegetables.

The first is Balducci's, which is opening a store around the corner from me. (According to their website, "Spring 2006".) I've never been in one, but apparently they're a high-end, gourmet grocery store, which is the kind I like best.

The second is a farmer's market, which is about a block away. I've never shopped there either.

The third option is community supported agriculture, a scheme where you buy a share of a farm's output, which you pick up from a drop off site. I was in one a couple of years ago, but eventually dropped it. I found the quantity of food overwhelming, and just didn't cook enough to justify it.

On the other hand, the onions were really, really good. The best I've ever had. Oh, and the garlic was great too. The tomatoes and corn and salad and stuff was good too, but it's the onions and the garlic that I really remember.

There's one CSA, Fresh & Local CSA, with a drop off site close to me. The downside is that they don't offer half-shares, so a subscription would cost $25/week. That's less than I generally spend on groceries, but more than I spend on vegetables. If I cook more, then it's a good deal, but any plan that relies on me changing my behaviour is a chancy one. The only real reason to subscribe is if the quality is higher than what I can get from Balducci's or the farmer's market, and I have no idea whether that's the case. On the bright side, they list fifty different fruits and vegetables that they deliver at various times through the season, so I should get a nice variety, with some yummy favorites. The down side is that I'll also get a lot of stuff I don't like; not that I feel guilty about throwing food out or taking less than I'm entitled to, but still.

I should really make a decision soon.

I've also been thinking about growing some of my own food. Herbs, anyway; I think larger containers can wait until I have a little experience. I know nothing of gardening, and the point where I need to learn is rapidly approaching. But it seems a shame to have all these balconies and not use them for anything.

Comments

[rebbyribs.livejournal.com]

I've been going to the farmers' market out here on a weekly basis, and it's always really good stuff. And I like the excuse to get out on a Saturday morning, buy lots of produce, and get samosas afterwards. :-) I was using a veggie box service last fall, but it was more expensive (and often not as good) as the farmers market.

[stevendj.livejournal.com]

Hmm, that's a good argument for the farmer's market.

[ferragus.livejournal.com]

CSA sounds like a great idea, maybe you could donate your surplus to a local shelter? Heck if the local firedepartment has a kitchen they might take it, and it never hurts to have the FD know your name.

Good luck on the gardening too, if you have the touch it's really rewarding (I on the other hand, have the anti-touch. Just my presence has killed plants the next balcony over!)

[stevendj.livejournal.com]

The CSA will donate any leftover vegetables to a food bank or other charity, so if I don't want something, I can just leave it.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

I have Peapod bring all the heavy & bulky stuff once a month, but then usually go to the Giant once a week. I signed up for a CSA at Bull Run Farms this year -- a single person's veggie share plus a fruit share. They'll deliver right at the train station and I figure if I can't keep up with it, the local shelter is only half a mile away.

We have a good farmer's market, too, but it was recently moved to where the parking isn't close enough for me. I may not walk well, but I can drive. ;)

Search for container gardening, it works well on balconies and you can set them up so you don't have to bend over to garden.

[stevendj.livejournal.com]

I think I'll start with just a few herbs in a box that hangs from my balcony rail, but if it goes well next year I may try to expand. Cherry tomatoes would be nice, and one of the books I saw on Amazon even recommended dwarf fruit trees. (I tried looking for books in the bookstores near here, but didn't see anything that was aimed at a beginning gardener with a balcony. Seems odd, considering the neighborhood.)

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Have you looked here?

[aka-tippi.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty handy with container gardening if you need any tips. I have several pots now overflowing with baby lettuces. Mmm. Lettuce.