Tips for CSA Members
The Tips & Tricks for Hermit Creek Farm CSA is a great place to start your CSA journey. You might also join our Facebook group, Hermit Creek Farm CSA-What’s Cooking? This is a group of HCF CSA fans dedicated to making cooking from their CSA share a way of life.
CSA members should become familiar with our CSA Handbook. Here, you’ll find details about how we pack your share, our vacation policy, delivery site details and times, etc.
Please note (and follow) these useful tips:
Keep your initial conformation letter (it came in the mail). It will remind you of what kind of share you bought and the days it is delivered.
Write down your delivery days on your calendar.
Read your newsletter (found almost every week). It includes a lot of good info.
Pick your share up promptly.
Return your CSA box weekly (or better yet, bring a bag, transfer your produce, and leave your box at the drop site). We use a food grade, cleanable plastic box to help keep your share safe and as fresh as possible (they can be either white or green). Our CSA boxes cost about $10.00 each, and with 100’s of CSA members, unreturned boxes can cost your farm a lot!
Once home, remove all items from your box and store appropriately. Greens, carrots, etc. should go in the fridge (crisper is the best spot, and they like a bit of humidity). Tomatoes do just fine on the kitchen counter or a window sill (in fact, they’ll taste better left out). Onions and garlic are fine at room temp for a week or so, longer term they like it a bit cooler (50) and dark. Potatoes? Cool and dark does just the trick.
Give the now empty box a quick wipe (both inside and out) and flatten for return.
Here is a quick guide for Kitchen Essential Tools.
Not sure what that odd looking veggie is? First, check the newsletter or go to What’s in the Box! And you might keep this article from BuzzFeed handy.
Keep in touch and let us know of any problems or ideas that you might have. We’re only as strong and successful as our collective membership.