Shoulder season is setting in—no longer winter, not quite spring. While winter farmers markets continue to offer an impressive variety of produce, you may notice certain varieties begin to wane and some farmers may not be at market for a few weeks until new crops start coming in. This can be a good time to talk to farmers about what they expect to have over the coming weeks or what they’re most excited about bringing in this spring.
CSA
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
These can be weeks of whiplash as the temperature swings from tantalizingly warm to hard freeze. Is it time to look for seed starts, or hunker down with a hearty stew and fridge full of provisions in case of a snow day?
The slower shoulder season is a good time to ask your favorite farmers tailgate market vendors about what they might have in coming weeks. As storage crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and winter squash begin to wane, you’re likely to see an uptick in greens, including salad green mixes, baby kale, microgreens, and pea shoots.
Faces of Local: Julie Montanea
ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. This month, we talk with ASAP volunteer Julie Montanea (pictured with her sister at ASAP’s Farm Tour) about why she loves her CSA.
Q: You’ve participated in three different CSAs. Did you receive produce or other farm goods?
I received produce from all three CSAs, but from two farms I could also get eggs and meat, separate from the regular CSA box. I didn’t eat meat for many years and still never eat commercially raised animals. But I now eat some meat and poultry from local farms that I’ve visited and seen how the animals are raised.