It’s been two years since I read Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Vegetable Miracle. In the last two years, we’ve made some steps to implement Kingsolver’s ideas around eating locally and in-season. For the third season we planted a garden (and, for the second season FAILED on almost all attempts to keep it alive and producing). Apparently, a busy work and Bar schedule are not conducive to weeding and harvesting and watering. Whoops. While I love visiting our farmer’s markets, it’s difficult during the workday to get out and shop, and Sunday mornings we’re always at church. I found myself settling for Trader Joe’s produce, which any TJ’s shopper will tell you is often mushy and quickly rots.

I’ve always thought a farm box could be the solution to purchasing local, delicious, seasonal food BUT the research I did several years back made it seem too cost prohibitive. During a work event in July, I found a local farm that offered neighborhood deliveries for a decent price. Full Belly Farm costs $17 per week for a large box of produce delivered just 7 blocks from our house.

We started our membership about a month ago and have really enjoyed the experience so far.  On Wednesdays after work we swing by, check our name off a list, and take home a big surprise box of food. Depending on the week, we’ve received: garlic, onions, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, corn, radishes, peppers, basil, arugula, grapes, squash and peaches. I love pulling up various recipe sites, typing in the food we’ve just had delivered, and finding recipes that use all our fresh ingredients. Check out this Green Beans Braised with Tomatoes and Basil recipe (and hurry, cause tomatoes and green beans won’t be around much longer!)