We have been getting a CSA share from a local farmer for a number of seasons now, and couldn't be happier. Do we pay a little more? Probably. Is the produce better? You bet? Are we supporting local? Yes, yes, and yes. It's also forced us to be creative with vegetables we maybe wouldn't ordinarily buy. Radishes for instance. Not a huge lover of them. Until we found out you could cook them. Who knew? We now use them in making stir-fry, and they are delicious. So support local, your neighboring farmer will appreciate it.
My mother was a farm girl. She would go absolutely bughouse when she'd see folks at the farm market mishandling the produce, especially when it came to stripping ears of corn. Mom went on to teach me how to judge produce in ways that did not damage it or disrespect the farmer. Thanks for this post!
Mostly, you just have to practice. For example, you can sort of tell with corn on the cob whether or not it will be good, because it will smell like fresh sweet corn, and the corn silk will be in good condition.
Tomatoes are kind of self explanatory; don't squeeze them. If they look ripe, and they smell ripe, chances are, they are ripe.
My mom always told me that if you have to squeeze it, just gently press the fruit near the stem so that it causes minimal cosmetic damage…but it is of course best not to squeeze at all.
We have been getting a CSA share from a local farmer for a number of seasons now, and couldn't be happier. Do we pay a little more? Probably. Is the produce better? You bet? Are we supporting local? Yes, yes, and yes. It's also forced us to be creative with vegetables we maybe wouldn't ordinarily buy. Radishes for instance. Not a huge lover of them. Until we found out you could cook them. Who knew? We now use them in making stir-fry, and they are delicious. So support local, your neighboring farmer will appreciate it.
Yessssss!!!🙌 I was late in learning about cooked radishes too! Once I started growing them, it made a huge difference in my appreciation for them.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!🙏
Good things to know and remember when shopping.
Exactly!🙏
My mother was a farm girl. She would go absolutely bughouse when she'd see folks at the farm market mishandling the produce, especially when it came to stripping ears of corn. Mom went on to teach me how to judge produce in ways that did not damage it or disrespect the farmer. Thanks for this post!
I'm so glad you had that experience with your mom!!! We never know how far those ripples will travel.🙏
Can you share any handling tips?
Mostly, you just have to practice. For example, you can sort of tell with corn on the cob whether or not it will be good, because it will smell like fresh sweet corn, and the corn silk will be in good condition.
Tomatoes are kind of self explanatory; don't squeeze them. If they look ripe, and they smell ripe, chances are, they are ripe.
If all else fails, ask the farmer for help.
Thanks!
My mom always told me that if you have to squeeze it, just gently press the fruit near the stem so that it causes minimal cosmetic damage…but it is of course best not to squeeze at all.