planb Organics - their Spring Session is starting now!

This week I decided to try planb Organic Farms as my local organic delivery option. They are starting their spring session so it's a great time to join.
Here's what I've learned about planb Organic Farms so far. For starters, they have a great website.

• They are a "multi farm CSA" CSA stands for Community Shared Agriculture it is a system of growing and distributing organic produce that restores the link between the farmers and city dwellers. 

• It was established in 1997, so they have experience.

• They are certified Organic by OCCP-Pro-Cert Canada.

• The shares come in three sizes, Half or Single, Regular & Household. 

We got a Single share because the girls aren't all that adventurous and it is plenty for two adults and two kids when you are supplementing with some kiddie favorites.Ours was the last of the winter session and there were pears, lemons, apples, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, oranges, two different kinds of salad greens and Kale. There was probably more, but I can't remember.

How do you buy your shares?
You go to www.planborganicfarms.ca and there is a ton of information. Click on 'order shares' and you can find lots of depot options, as luck would have it they do home deliveries to Toronto residents living south of St. Clair & West of Woodbine. There are also home deliveries done in specific areas of Oakville, Burlington & Hamilton. The website lets you know which day of the week your delivery will arrive or which day to pick up from the depot. You pick your box size, you then have the opportunity to customize if you want, and then set up your payment plan. The price you pay for the produce depends on when you join in a session. The last Half/Single share of the winter session cost $32.50. Because it is a CSA you are buying a session rather than just one box at a time.

You will then receive and email detailing everything you need to know. Your first delivery date, the pick up rules, and other important info.
Our tote was dropped Thursday afternoon as promised. There was a light knock on the door and and a smile and a wave from the delivery guys when I came to get the tote. All your invoices and any other information comes either by email or you can access your account through their website. This is the first time I've been involved in a CSA , because it was the last delivery of the winter session, I wasn't sure what kind of commitment I had made. I sent them an email asking for clarification and they answered promptly.

I was really impressed with all the options in the basket.  It was a great variety especially the fruit options. I listed them above. They only talk about the Summer Share on the website but obviously they are supplementing the produce offerings during the winter session from growers farther a field. I used the Kale recipe that was on their website, it was easy and fantastic! I found a recipe on-line for the other vegetable that I wouldn't usually buy, cabbage, and we're gonna have cheddar cheese cabbage gratin tonght, hopefully it will be yummy! All in all, it has been a great experience with planb Organic Farms, I definitely recommend them as a local organic food delivery option.
Shirley