Wife’s been wanting to try one of those vegetable delivery things.
I groaned.
But the more I thought about it, the more it appealed to me.
First concern for me was cost. If this is going to cost more than just buying the same stuff at the H.E.B., I’m not interested. I’m still not 100% sure of the cost breakdown since produce costs vary so widely on a daily basis. But, estimates put it at “close enough”.
Second, I didn’t want to get some potluck of veggies that then don’t get consumed. For instance, Wife hates fennel, and if the box is 35% fennel, that does us no good and is a waste all around.
I found this place called the Johnson’s Backyard Garden. It looked alright. I like that it’s truly local. I like that the produce is picked and delivered on the same day. I mean, you can’t beat food that’s allowed to stay “in the ground” or “on the vine” until the last minute. Whereas your big grocery stores have to have the food removed from the ground well in advance of ripeness, then all sorts of things are done to help get it to market, and it’s just not the same.
Now, I’m not really caring about crap like “organic” and “free-range”…. but hey, its fun to prod the hippies about how free-range organic the meat is from the deer I shot. 🙂
And that’s I think what I’m liking more about this: I know where it comes from. We’re getting far too removed from many things in this world, and that tends to create a lot of mystery and uncertainty. I’m growing to like knowing where things come from, especially the things I put into my body. So hey, if we can know where our veggies are coming from, if we can support some small family businesses, get better tasting food, and it doesn’t cost a whole lot more? Fine.
The crazy thing is, since I signed up, I’ve been getting excited about picking up our first box (we pick it up this evening). Click here to see what’s in the boxes (pictures!). In a way, it feels like Christmas because there’s an element of unknown and surprise: what are we going to get this week? It feels kinda fun. Plus, it’s going to challenge our cooking and palates… because hey, there’s fennel in this weeks box. 🙂
I signed up for the initial 4 box trial and we’ll see how it goes.
Stuff From Hsoi 
How much have your researched organic? Picked up a copy of The Omnivore’s Dilemma (good as he covers some of the BS around organic)? Even the movie Food, Inc.?
Like I said, I’m not really into the whole organic stuff, especially because I know that the .gov has worked hard with the major food corps to change the definition of “organic” to include stuff that isn’t but they know “organic” on the label sells so… it’s all crap. 🙂
Ultimately for me it’s about how it all tastes. That the tomato is on the vine until that morning, you know it’s going to taste better…. and it does.
Food Inc. is on my “need to watch it one of these days” list.
Food Inc. needs to be on your watch it NOW list. Do it for your children – it is that important. You will have a very different perspective concerning organics and GMOs. One reason for purchasing organics is that they DO NOT permit GMOs. The government tried to get it included and the citizens fought back and won. McDonald’s is the largest purchaser of meat, tomatoes, and apples – I don’t want the leftovers of what McD’s doesn’t purchase. Don’t get me wrong – if I can shake the hand of the farmer or the rancher and look in their eye and form a relationship, I am all about buying local and natural even if they are not certified organic – so long as they honestly answer my questions. Vote with your dollar.
That movie is on the “to watch” list one of these days. But watch or not, I know that modern mass food production is scary.
But you also hit it on the head: relationship. That’s such a useful thing to have now. The vast majority of the meat we eat is either something we hunted or that we got from a local butcher whom I’m developing a good relationship with, and he knows where his meat comes from. I actually have been trying to buy a cow from a local guy but he hasn’t contacted me back… and another friend has pointed me to a good farm where she got her cow and pig, and I may go there too. But being able to talk with the people, know what you’re getting, and over time building that relationship and trust, it’s so nice. Plus hey… buying this way you can get what you want. I get my beef all nice and aged, cut and trimmed as I want, and oh boy, what a difference. 🙂
So it’s all good. I’m not into all the hippy-dippy organic whatever of things, but there’s so much more here than just that. It all adds up to be a big win.
Exactly. Recently purchased our first cow as well. Yummy! Feel free to send a PM if you would like another rancher to consider.