I realized tonight--28 October 2009--that summer was really over when I washed arugula and thought, "You know, this is good, but it's just not like what we had this summer." This summer, we ate produce from Your Farm in Fairlee at virtually every meal. And it was wonderful.
Laura and Kevin Channell, the farmers who own Your Farm, grow vegetables on 28 acres on the Connecticut River in Fairlee, VT. They sell via farmers markets (they're at the Woodstock Market on the Green on Wednesdays and at Norwich on Saturdays). Kevin and Laura are really lovely people--and their produce is pristine.
We belonged to their CSA in summer, 2009, and were absolutely delighted with its organization and the produce we received. We've belonged to other CSAs in the past; I expect good-quality produce and haven't been disappointed. But the quality of Your Farm's produce stood out. It was first-quality stuff, what you'd pick up at their stand at a market.
I also really liked their CSA model. Like in other CSAs, you'd pay up front. Each Monday, I'd receive an email with a list of what Your Farm was picking that week. I could order produce and other products (meats from other local farms, breads, and other goods) and pick them up at one of the markets. I could order as much--or as little as I wanted. And I could also pick up produce at Your Farm's stand, the total of which would be debited from my credit. So, unlike with other CSAs I belonged to, no "lost" order if I was out of town. I could order what I wanted (we don't eat head lettuce, preferring leaf lettuce or arugula). And I received first-quality stuff.
Smart organization, user-friendly, great products, lovely people: what a winning combination! read more