A couple of months ago I saw an ad in Facebook. I NEVER respond to ads there, but this one was different, it specified only people in the Alta Valle del Tevere should respond. That is me! And it was by a local farmer and entrepreneur who was starting something similar in our valley to a CSA (community supported agriculture).
In the U.S.. I used to be a member of a CSA, and it was a lot of fun to pick up my veggies once a week. The good thing for the farmers in the U.S. is that all the shareholders pay an annual fee for whatever produce grows that year. So if the farmer has a bad year, the shareholders take the hit. It is guaranteed income for the farmer.
Here they will deliver to my home (!) which is much easier, and it will be about 7kg of veggies every two weeks starting in June. That’s about 15.5 lbs. The cost will be 23€ (about $27) each delivery. We can’t choose what we get. That’s always been ok with me because I love figuring out how to use it all.
He has a network of farmers who will be growing specified crops just for those of us who subscribed. The list of subscribers filled up fast and he closed the subscriptions. He is very eco friendly, it is all bio, and he wants it to have minimal waste. He contacted me today and wanted a final confirmation, which I did. He will now be meeting with farmers to decide who grows what because the season is just beginning.
I’m excited for a new thing in my life here. You all know I love to cook and experiment, and I love locally grown food that is chemical free and super fresh. I will be posting pictures in June of my first delivery, but for now, here is a picture of a typical CSA box in the U.S.
Thanks! Probably a bit late to start seeds here for this season but it was a generous offer. I have brought corn seeds from there to here. Sweet American corn. My how I miss it.
It will be fun Royanne!
Further….on the Black Krim heirloom. I have photos…..of just one, the first one last year; sliced, filled the whole cutting board. I know you can’t take plants out of the country; but I do NOT know about seeds…..perhaps you do. If you do know, care to have some….I could certainly send you a hand-written letter, in the mail, all the way from here, with a minute few….let me know. BTW, these are NOT sugo tomatoes, they are juice running down your chin good, way too watery for sauce; but I have used them in making a rather quick sautéed, fresh sauce, with other things.Anyway, getting carried away…Also have a great bean, Emerite, a climber, produces lovely tender ones, are prolific….last year, nary a one!! Peter Rabbit ate all the foliage; hence the to be raised, raised beds…ate the tomatoes too; would only have some, a great bite or so…either still on the vine or whacked to the ground. Actually it was some of those that I salvaged….that I sautéed. Onward!
jeeze! don’t remember knowing about this! I LOVE it…
Hi Catherine! You sound like me. I get euphoric when talking about how great the food is here. Those raised, raised beds will also save your back when you’re weeding too 😁. I looked up the tomatoes. They look wonderful. That’s one thing I really miss here, heirloom tomatoes. We just don’t have them here. The first two years I was here there was one man who grew them, then, nada. The regular tomatoes are good. I have a particular stand that has the tomatoes I like best. I also have three tomato plants and a hot pepper plant on my terrace. Happy planting! I’ll be posting pictures and about what I do with what I get.
Hi Mike, Yes, and no. The products and produce in the grocery that are labeled that way have strict regulations to qualify, just like in the U.S. They are super strongly against anything GMO. Mostly these are regulated by the EU.
Here in our local market it isn’t as formal. No one is certified. I do know they don’t use any pesticides. This area is super traditional so the small farms pretty much do things in the old ways. Planting by the moon and using natural fertilizers. It tastes cleaner and safer. And can’t get any fresher. They just bring what they have or make. Eggs, if the hens are laying well. All is seasonal. Cheeses from their own sheep and goats. The honey is from the plants and trees around here like chestnuts. All these things are why I really love living here.
Wonderful opportunity has come your way….I’m really looking forward to your
photo of your first harvest delivery. The price seems quite reasonable; especially with the ‘no additives added’ factor; lovely. Wish I could sign up too!! Instead,
I’m planning on raising the raised beds we already have, repurposing gifted cedar from an old deck and having them high enough that Peter Rabbit can’t eat my climbing green beans, foliage (and fruit!!!) from the Black Krim heirloom tomatoes that we grow from seed…..Food, oh glorious food, lucky for all of us who can have fresh, homegrown nutrition. Auguri!
Nancy, is the “bio” vegetables you are talking about what is considered “organic” in the US? Meaning there were not pesticides or herbicides applied on them? As well as being non GMO?