Phoenix CSAs
I went to see Food, Inc., a documentary about the state of the food industry, the other night and left thoroughly depressed.
“Why are you crying?” asked my husband post-film. “It’s just… so…depressing…” I blubbered. And it wasn’t the treatment of animals (which did suck, but they didn’t linger on that). It was the business, the politics, the lack of transparency behind what we eat, the fact that PEOPLE are behind these decisions that are adversely affecting this country…and the world.
The worst part of it is, I felt like there’s nothing I can do to change it.
The advocates for change in the movie insist that voting with my dollars works — I have to believe that it does. With that in mind, I’ve signed up for a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, have been looking into local, grass-fed meat, and downloaded Omnivore’s Dilemma onto my Kindle.
The following are some destinations to get local or organic food made the old-fashioned way, raised and grown:
CSAs
Maya’s Farm
Maya Dailey’s organic farm, located at The Farm at South Mountain, grows specialty vegetables, herbs and flowers for market, schools and restaurants locally. Her weekly boxes of food are sold by the 3-month-season, the next which starts September 23.
How much: $315 for a full share, which includes a selection of veggies, herbs, flowers and eggs, and $265 for a season of the economy share, which includes the same items, only less.
Pick up options: Members can pick up their shares on Saturdays and Wednesdays at Maya’s Farm or the Downtown Phoenix Public Market.
Sign up for Maya’s Farm newsletter for updates on the farm or download the application and information for the CSA.
——–
Desert Roots Farm
This farm has a variety of options ranging from 6 to 12 week programs, and whole and half shares within those seasons.
A sample whole share: 1 pound bag of lettuce mix, a bunch of carrots, a bunch of radishes, 3/4 pound of broccoli, a bunch of kale and some cilantro.
How much: Prices range from $108 for a 6 week/half share, to $276 for a twelve week whole share.
Pick up options: There are 7 pick-up locations around the Valley, mainly on Saturdays. For an extra $5 week, you can get your veggies delivered to your work or home.
Other features: Desert Roots also has a meat, dairy and egg co-op; Buy from local producers, and pick up at the Desert Roots Farm in Queenscreek at the designated time.
———-
Double Check Ranch
Options include 1/10 of a cow “Freezer Pack” or 1/20th of a cow “MIni Pack”. To give an idea about the quantities they’re talking: Freezer Packs weigh between 40-50 pounds and takes up over half of an average household freezer. The Half gives the most savings, and allows buyers to get their meat custom cut. That’s a lot of beef.
How much: Packages range from $6.50 to $7.50 a pound with a fluxuating deposit.
Pick up: Orders can be picked up at Downtown Phoenix Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. It might take 3-4 weeks for a share to be ready for pick up.
ORGANIC FOOD
Boxed Greens
An array of different varieties of boxes, from all fruit to all veggie to gourmet boxes. The general boxes come in a few different sizes and include an assortment of fruits and vegetables, salad staples, and the occasional specialty item.
How much: First time set up fee is $25. Mixed boxes start at $32 for a standard box that feeds 1-2 people and range to $69.50 for the gourmet box that feeds a 4-5 person household. Pay a little more to change your option to an all fruit or an all vegetable box.
Pick up options: Delivered to your door.
———-
Organically Grown
The tagline of this store is “Organic produce, non-organic prices.” Choose from a variety of fruit and/or vegetable boxes, or use as an online organic food grocery store and buy by the item.
How much: Buy a bargain box of slightly damaged or imperfect produce for $25, or one of the other fruit or veggie boxes for $38. A delivery charge is added to all orders.
Pick up options: Delivery to most of the Valley runs $8. The outer city deliveries are $12.
——–
Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op
My former boss gets her fresh fruits and veggies from this site. Once a week she orders mid-week, then goes to one of the locations to pick up her produce. The site looks to be on vacation, so check back for specific prices and pick-up points.
