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Across the Fence:  Food Co-Op Veggies  |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 12:13:13 PM
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Well, I got the veggies/fruits from the food co-op but they needed to update or make more sense on their website, and say that the "share" or box of veggies from the particular Farm wasn't in season (they had none until late Fall). So they had to let me know what I already paid for (!) wasn't going to be available and that they were going to give me a "medium" share of what they get from local growers (I guess?) and an organic distributor.... which was sort of disappointing to me because my whole point was wanting to buy from a Farm and not a "go-between", and I paid $31 -- okay, I decided, I would go ahead and say that was fine and see how it turned out.
So my husband and I make our way to the church (which was doing the co-op - which at first I thought was neat) which is closer to downtown, and when I got there, I did feel a little uncomfortable as the chuch seemed very "political" for lack of better words, and I just didn't get that homey feel (okay, what was I expecting in downtown Houston?!) .. and the medium share of veggies was... okay.... but I felt a little gipped getting one nectarine in the share. I mean, one nectarine? and one cucumber, and one avocado ..
I did get a big bunch of romaine lettuce, a bunch of spinach, a very large (gourd) squash, a bunch of home-grown purple basil (which I flipped over and MUST grow! The scent is gorgeous!) a plastic container of blueberries, and strawberries, as well as a container of figs, two beefsteak tomatoes.... I can't think of anything else in there.
I understand that organic doesn't look as pretty as the other kind (pesticide ridden, and all the other stuff they put in), but was a bit disappointed at the way the lettuce, spinach was sort of wilty and not so "fresh" looking... and it came from the distributor...
I guess I didn't realize half (or more than half) would come from
a distributor and I could've gone to my Whole Foods store (like Trador Joes, or whatever..) or HEB Central Market and bought the same thing? I also traded out two kiwis (that came in my share) and a mango for a pound of green beans and a big red onion. I felt that made it much better. My husband felt we did get a little ripped off, and I am not sure if we didn't. (He doesn't realize as much about organic as I do..) I somehow feel slightly but I am not going to
worry about it this time.
Overall, I am very happy with the food I got (because I am just thankful that I have organic food in my fridge!), but I would not be going to that co-op again. This was an experiment and I am on a search (besides wanting to grow my own) and I now have found a couple of places where I might be able to buy straight from a farmer. Something just seemed a little off, or odd about it all.
I can't put a finger on it. I'd like to know your comments... 
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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miss wilma
True Blue Farmgirl
3410 Posts
Wilma
Knob Lick
Ky
USA
3410 Posts |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 12:32:46 PM
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I understand your disappointment Brooke. I don't even have the option of an affordable co-op here in Nebraska. The closest one we have is way more expensive than our Whole Foods store and I can't even afford to strictly shop there right now. I did plant an even larger garden of my own this year which I am very thankful for because the prices at my farmers market have more than tripled in price from last year. I told my husband that next year we will be adding the extra gardens I requested for flowers and planting them with more vegetables and herbs instead.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 12:54:09 PM
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City Chick - Well, this is honestly a little more expensive than what I can afford, but I am willing, you know.. Well, yes, I wonder if our Whole Foods was cheaper. I don't quite understand why it can be so expensive... aren't they using less chemicals, etc. so shouldn't it be cheaper to sell? I'm not disappointed in a way..
it's just felt something was "off".. maybe it's because I don't want to deal with city things and just want to have my own! It didn't feel any different than going to the grocery store... Basically, buying from a farmer's market here is pretty expensive too. I guess I thought co-op would be better. This is all sort of confusing to me. My husband said, "You need to grow your own!" Well! WHERE?! LOL. He needs to buy me some land! ;)
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com |
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MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 12:54:31 PM
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I JUST printed out my co-op order sheet...this will be the first time doing it, and I am very excited!! Ours offers a farmers market share that is 100% local, but supply is limited. I think I am just going to start off this first time with the harvest share, and it comes with bread and beans too. I am sorry your experience wasn't all you'd hoped for! I hope next month is better for you!!
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More
Farmgirl Sister #154 |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2008 : 12:58:06 PM
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Wow, Bread and beans too! lol. I need to find a co-op like that. I remember my mom went to one where they sold wheat berries and you could make your own. I think I will try to find somewhere better...
maybe outside the city ..where my mom lives...
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com |
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Across the Fence: Food Co-Op Veggies |
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Food Co-Op Veggies
