If you’re one of those individuals too busy to breathe, much less take time to shop for fruits and veggies, organizations like the Pike Place Market Basket CSA can be both a welcome and overbearing idea. There are numerous Community Supported Agriculture organizations all over the country; the Pike Place CSA is unusual because it collects goods from a variety of farmers who sell at the Market instead of offering produce from just one farmer. For families of four, or groups of individual, these baskets bursting with up to 75 varieties of fruits and vegetables throughout the season are a blessing that either arrives (or is picked up) weekly, for a cost of $505 for 20 deliveries.
Supporting local farmers and buying produce that is fresh and of high quality is on everyone’s agenda, which is why CSAs are so invaluable. But what about the solitary individual or couple who wants to partake in this organic culture without being buried alive every week by mountains of blueberries, pounds of peppers, and avalanches of apricots? For practical purposes, it’s important to understand how to shop for one person and avoid that age-old problem of other produce aside from peaches growing fuzz.
Some people, however, think that traipsing through the markets is rewarding in itself: people like local organic food expert Goldie Caughlan of Puget Consumers Co-op, who strongly believes that it’s as healthy shopping among the sounds and smells of a farmers’ market as it is to eat your purchases afterward. Some of these markets have been around for years, while others have been sprouting up in all corners and crevices of the city and county, proving how vital they’ve become to the local food economy. Caughlan points out that since the produce available at these markets isn’t prepackaged and sealed into bags (unlike those slimy baby carrots at the grocery store), people can take just as much as they need. In her words: “Ask and you shall receive.” So don’t be shy about inquiring about just half of that beautiful head of cabbage, or only a handful of those greens.But if you still think you’re too busy to do your own browsing, consider sharing a weekly CSA basket with a few friends. Or visit http://pikeplacemarket.org/shop/market_basket and see about smaller baskets specifically available in the downtown and Belltown areas.
The dependable farmers markets that have long contributed to the organic food community are still thriving and bustling with business, and this season there are a few additions to our long-standing tradition of fresh local produce. The Kent Farmers Market is actually celebrating its 30th year, but with a new location and new management it seems reborn, with even more farmers, crafters, and food vendors to fill the downtown area with interesting sights and aromas. The West Seattle and Ballard markets are up and running. The University Market opened May 22; the Lake City and Magnolia Markets open May 27 and June 12, respectively. For information about when other markets open, where they’re located, hours of operation, and other specifics, the best option is to visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/farmers_markets.htm and get a full list of what is growing and blooming in the Puget Sound area and beyond.
