Got Veggies?

Did you know that June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month? Who knew? I think its timing is perfect because we are counting down the days to Confreda's CSA program.  Please click here for the scoop!

I'm getting myself and my kitchen ready for my Family CSA share.  My pots and pans, fridge, counters, colanders, sharp knives, peelers, strainers, graters, and my kids, have all been primped and prepped. They are all standing at attention, waiting for the big day.  I might even iron my apron I'm so excited. (For those of you who know me, ironing is as low on my list as watching golf.)

I'm also a bit nervous so I get it if you are too. But I am jumping right in and if you are on the fence about whether to join the CSA, read on:

1. A family CSA membership breaks down to $42/week.  A single CSA is $28/week. If you are avid  veggie eaters, a weekly supermarket produce bill will equal or exceed these amounts.
2. What you get in return is a wide variety of  freshly picked, local produce each week.
3. The program runs from July 2 - October 13 so for 14 weeks you can skip your local supermarket trips and soley rely on your CSA share for the week (or longer!).
4. If you live closer to Whole Foods in Cranston, you can pick up your weekly share there.
5. If you are nervous about having too much in your bushel, here's an idea:  Share your Share! Family, neighbors and co-workers can all reap the benefits. You may want to consider splitting the cost of the CSA share with them as well. This is OK! What you do with your share is up to you.
6. You are helping your local economy! Also, did you know that when you buy produce in the supermarkets in the summer, chances are very good that it comes from Confredas? Why not eliminate the middle man and get it straight from the farm?
7. You will develop a healthier lifestyle and become part of the agricultural community.

Remember, I will be blogging each week to help you figure out what to do with your shares. I cannot wait for this experience and to take you along for the ride.

You can download the CSA membership form right here so what are you waiting for?  Celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month all summer long by supporting Confreda's CSA.

Is that a watermelon under your shirt or.....

Did you hear the big news? I'm expecting!

Yes, it's true!  It's been a long and suspenseful wait but I think I am finally ready to welcome my first 20-30 pound, bouncing bushel of produce from Confreda Farms and Gardens.  If you missed my last blog, please click here for all the buzz.

Ok, now that you are up to speed, I have to say, I am really feeling like an expectant mother; one minute excited,  the next frantically boiling water!  There's so much to do and so much I don't know. I sure wish they wrote a book called "What to Expect When You're Expecting a Trunk Load of Corn, Sugar Snap peas, Cabbage and Kale".  So I guess I am here to write that book and reinvent the CSA wheel for you all. 

We're going to be spending a lot of time together over the next few months and there are some things you should know as we embark on this Confreda CSA journey together.  How well do you really know me and what qualifies me to be your CSA guru?

1.  I am a home cook, mother of 2 and wife of 1.

2. I work about 25 hours/week in corporate America at night. By day, I am home; doing Mommy stuff and it seems, always cooking or grocery shopping. Cooking and eating are very popular in our house.

3. I have a good sized kitchen, but it's ordinary. No double oven, no massive fridge, or granite counters. Just the basics. We do not have a deep freezer or an extra fridge. (I do have lots of kitchen gadgets and would love doing a sleepover at Bed, Bath & Beyond some night so I can cuddle and spoon their um, spoons).

4. My cooking style is 99% improvisational. I have a million cookbooks but rarely use them.  I have a feeling that once our little CSA project takes off, my cookbooks will be my new BFFs, as will The Power of Google.

5. I have never done a CSA before. I have however, eaten my fair share of fresh veggies and fruits straight from my Grampa Rico's garden. He had a garden that would feed all of his neighbors until October.  He embodied the true spirit of a CSA!

6. My name is Rebecca and theoretically, I come from Sunnybrook Farms. I am hoping this gives me an edge in my Great CSA Experiment.

So now you know a little more about me. When you join the CSA this month, you will get the same baby butterflies that I am now experiencing.  I can't wait to share our experiences together! Can we knit some baby booties for our zucchini?

(Oh, and one more thing)

Confredra's has partnered with Whole Foods in Cranston for its CSA distribution! Yes! This means that when you join the CSA, you can pick up your weekly harvest either at Confreda's or Whole Foods in Cranston.   Whole Foods will be distributing fliers over the next few weeks so please stay tuned and tell all your friends.