As you probably know by now, the Dishing team loves the Jackson Hole Farmers Market. We love the produce, the pies and the people. Honestly, the entire scene excites us and increases our already HUGE love of the summer.
I realize that we have a long way to go until summer, and that with the recent snow, winter has finally settled in. But it’s also the time of year when our local farms have to start purchasing seeds for the 2013 harvest season. And you know what that means? Time to save on summer’s CSA programs (Community Supported Agriculture, a.k.a. farm shares).
Cosmic Apple Farms has early bird farm shares on sale right now. Seem a little early to be considering how you want to shop for veggies next summer? Seeds must be ordered in January if they want to secure the best produce from their favorite providers, or they will sell out. It’s important to think ahead when you’re running a farm and looking to follow up last year’s incredible harvest with another one, hopefully as good if not better.
If you sign up for a full share with Cosmic Apple before Jan. 1, it will cost you $475, or $7.42 per week, per person. A half share is only $305. That will take care of all your produce needs for 16 weeks. The same vegetables at the market based on last years share would cost you over $1,050. Not only is ownership of a CSA share providing clear savings to you at any point in their sign up period, but also if you sign up before Jan. 1 you’ll save $100 off of April memberships. Another great bonus to Cosmic’s CSA shares: If you do need to supplement your grocery list on those summer Saturday mornings, you receive 20 percent off market prices. Seriously, it’s a major win-win. Cosmic Apple delivers to Jackson on Tuesdays and Fridays, with Tuesday selling out first every summer. First-come, first-served, so don’t procrastinate. Cosmic Apple offers work shares, so look for more information about these opportunities sometime in April on Dishing or Cosmic Apple’s Facebook page.
Blue Flax Farm also has an early season discount for CSA shareholders. They offer 10 percent off regular prices, which are $465 for a full share and $275 for a half share for 16 weeks of veggies delivered weekly to Jackson and Wilson or pickup at the farm in Victor. Sign up by April 1, and you can save $46.50 and $27.50, respectively. Contact Megan blueflaxfarm@gmail.com or 307.413.3203 to ask about available work or farm shares. She also posts wonderful recipes and insights on her blog http://thegardenofneve.blogspot.com.
Snowdrift Farms has a great offer to help you save, and it’s called the Farmer Friends Discount Program. At the beginning of market season, they offer $100 vouchers, which can be redeemed for a value of $110 at the stand. Their dates are not currently set in stone, but the vouchers for next summer will be available at some point this spring. Keep on eye on their website and their Facebook page for updates. The idea of offering a pay-upfront incentive is so that the farmers can cover some of their costs earlier in the season when expenses are highest and income is lowest. If you’re interested in getting involved in other ways, Snowdrift Farms also offers work shares, internships and CSA shares which will be announced in more detail in upcoming months.
EverGreen Farm will start selling 2013 CSA shares in January. They offer a weekly delivery of fresh, organic produce to Jackson Hole from May through October. They’ll be posting information on their website when shares are available for purchase. There is no discount for purchasing early. Jackson shares are limited and typically sell out in one month. Contact Tara at (307) 884-6423 or tara@svwy.net to learn more or check out their website and/or Facebook page.
All this talk about veggies has me a little hungry for a good burger. So to make this post complete: The Snake River Brewery has their very own adult version of a McDonalds Happy Meal, but replace the plastic toy with a beer and the “who knows where this beef came from” meat with local beef from HD Dunn & Son in Tetonia, Idaho, and you’ve got yourself an amazing half-pound hamburger “Hoppy” meal. The deal, going until Sunday, gets the burger with lettuce, tomato onion, cheese, fries and a pint of Snake River Lager, Pale Ale or Zonker Stout (hence, the hoppy part of the equation) for $12. The savings is equal to a $4.50 pint of beer. Visit the Brew Pub’s Facebook page, or look in the paper for a coupon, which must be in hand to get the special.
