About me

Hi, I’m Susan. I live in the western suburbs of Atlanta, and this is my fourth year as a member of the Farmers’ Fresh CSA. Farmers’ Fresh started as a cooperative of farmers in West Georgia and East Alabama. In the past couple of years, it has become a separate business that seeks out and buys sustainable produce from farmers to sell in the CSA and in a physical store in Carrollton, GA.

I love my CSA subscription. I first joined on principle. The idea of reconnecting what we eat with the land that it comes from had so many things going for it: health, supporting local farmers, environmental awareness, etc. Now I do it for the deliciousness. Once you’ve met a local zucchini or apple, it’s hard to go back to the ones shipped to Kroger from California or Chile. My CSA subscription has turned me into a bona-fide vegetable lover after decades of avoiding them at all cost.

I’ve learned so much over the past few of years that I wanted to share it with at least two types of people.

1) For those who’ve been toying with the idea of joining a CSA (hopefully Farmers’ Fresh!), you can read through my experiences, look at the pictures, and make a more informed decision.

2) If you’ve already joined Farmers’ Fresh (or any CSA), you can read about what I’m doing with my food and add your own insights or bring up topics to discuss.

I plan to keep this blog mainly about the CSA experience, but I may post about other issues of consumption from time to time. Also, I now receive a discount from Farmers’ Fresh for keeping this blog. (But if you read my 2008 posts, I think you’ll find me just as enthusiastic when I was uncompensated.)

I live with my husband. My 19-year-old stepson is now in college, so we’re adjusting to feeding two for most of the year. We have a standard subscription with half a dozen eggs and the gourmet package. I work part-time right now, so I have time and energy to plan for, prepare, and cook food. I know some of you have many more mouths to feed and far less time. Hopefully, this blog will give you some ideas.

So pull up a chair and dig in!

thoughtfulconsumption@gmail.com

11 Comments »

11 Responses

on October 9, 2008 at 5:21 pm | Reply Nancy Garry

We’re one of the farmers that helps supply Farmers Fresh…Red Hott Tomatoes in Bowdon Georgia.

It’s so encouraging to read how you are enjoying your fruits and veggies and the great recipes and cooking!

I shall have to visit your page regularly.

Keeping wonderful veggies available to you and others is what we are all about. Come to see us when you can.
on June 6, 2009 at 7:03 am | Reply priscilla

Hi Susan,

thankx for your recipe mintsyrup, looks very good. I was looking for a basic one, not the green stuf. i wil try it out for sure.

Nice website! and the homemade natural things such as your memberpack Nice! a pitty, we can’t get them in The Netherlands!

greets,
Priscilla
The Netherlands
on November 7, 2009 at 9:13 am | Reply Vanessa

Susan,

I have been interested in joining the CSA for a couple of years, but never sure what I would get. Thank you for showing me how wonderful the shipments are–it’s like Christmas every week! And the cooking suggestions are helpful too.

Thanks and keep on keepin’ on!
Vanessa
Atlanta, GA
on April 13, 2010 at 10:46 am | Reply nancy garry

Hi Susan, we now have a web site, it’s new and we’re still working on it…But wondered if we might link over to yours as we work on the links?

Thanks and have a blessed day….It’s gorgeous and sunny hear and I can see dimly through the pine pollen haze!

Nancy
on August 26, 2010 at 7:14 pm | Reply Linsey

Hi Susan!
Reading through your blog has doubled my excitement and resolve to join FF-CSA. My granddaddy was a farmer, and I love fresh fruits and veggies. I enjoy cooking, but I must admit that the thought of having to figure out what to do with a bag full of goodies seemed daunting! Looking forward to using your ideas as a fabulous springboard…thank you!

Linsey
Atlanta, GA
- on August 26, 2010 at 8:06 pm | Reply Susan
  
  Hi, Linsey,
  
  You sound like a natural CSA-er. Excitement and resolve are just what you need. What a great combination! 🙂
  
  Thanks for reading!
  
  Susan
on September 27, 2011 at 10:30 am | Reply theteachercooks

We use the same CSA. I’ve been a member for 4 years. I love it!
- on September 29, 2011 at 12:21 pm | Reply Susan
  
  Cool! It’s really neat how it just becomes part of your life after a while, huh?
on January 5, 2012 at 12:07 am | Reply Will

Hi there Susan! I happened across your site when I was looking for a rough idea of how many apples makes 5 lbs. (Google “5 lbs of apples” and your apples are one of the first results!) I always like to investigate the site where an image I was looking for comes from. Fortuitously, I have a blog very similar to yours. I document what I get in my CSA share in attempts to get other people into the idea of CSA and getting more familiar/appreciative of their food and where it comes from (with lots of props to the farmers! They are rockstars to me!). I also do my best to give general recipe ideas (I’m more of an experimenter than a recipe follower) and make them look good for the camera, which is hopefully another way to get people into it. I haven’t dug way into your blog yet, but I like what I see so far and I’m sure I’ll get some nice ideas out of it. Peace and greetings from up north!
on January 13, 2013 at 10:42 am | Reply Melanie

Susan,
I am a member of Farmer’s Fresh CSA and always look at your blog. Where are you? Checking in and I hope all is ok.
- on February 19, 2013 at 12:07 pm | Reply Susan
  
  Hi, Melanie,
  Thanks for checking in! 🙂 Everything is great, but I’ve had to stop blogging. My work picked up, and I found myself dreading Wednesdays and feeling guilty about not blogging enough or on time. It was a big relief when I stopped. Five years was long enough. Maybe I’ll get back in one day. I still adore local food and am still a Farmers Fresh customer!
  I hope all is well with you!