CSA's

We decided to try a new CSA this year, Harvey from Barr Farms. It was interesting to us because you could trade items in your shipment if there is something that you didn't like and you told them upfront the type of things you would like in your weekly shipments. Price is reasonable so we went ahead and started with them.

They have to be the worst CSA out there. The quantities of each item are small and the quality is fair at best and many times is terrible. In today's box there were two Asian egg plants, one of which was squishy and already spoiled. Our garlic we got one head and the sweet potatoes are about the size of a carrot. Granted, because there are only two of us we get a small box but that shouldn't be an excuse for poor quality!

We complained to them in the past and have never even received a reply.
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I don't believe the problem is with Barr Farms but rather with Harvey, the company that puts the box together and distribute them.

[Robin Garr]

Adam Barr is good people. I seriously doubt that he would be willing to let something like that go. On the other hand, the idea behind CSA is that you support the farmer and share the farmer's bounty and also the farmer's risks. If the harvest is poor one month, well, the lord giveth and the lord taketh away, as they say.

I'd suggest contacting Barr Farm on Twitter or Facebook. I'll be surprised if you don't get an answer.

We do the small box from Barr and love it. As a matter of fact, we were just saying it’s seemed like a pretty good year. I would definitely contact the farm directly. It’s my understanding Harvey is just a communication tool between farmers and customers and has no hands on involvement.

Mark, We too joined the half order CSA, except through Ashbourne Farm. So far we are pleased but, as would be expected, some items are better than others and there are a lot of repeat items every week. I really like the ability to swap shares each time and we have tried varieties of veggies that we probably would not have otherwise. Thanks Robin F. for your explanation about Harvie's role in the CSA-never could quite figure that out??? Overall it has been a good experience but not sure we will do it again. How much can two people eat and I feel like all I've done is cook this summer !

I don't know what you would call it not a CSA but we had been doing Misfits Market, we had been getting the large box weekly and were able to choose our selection ,if I remembered on time. It got to be too much and wasteful so we switched to biweekly and even that became too much, so around the time my husband passed my son and I decided to just suspend our delivery for now. I miss the fresh produce coming to the house but hate to waste it.