CSA Time in Astoria

I want to acknowledge the start of CSA season in Astoria! I know Astoria CSA is underway, Harvest CSA started yesterday and Hellgate CSA (that's my CSA) started on Tuesday. It's a very exciting time. For me, my favorite parts of the share were the truly amazing strawberries and delicious asparagus.

What did you get in your CSA share this week? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you.

Astoria CSA 2009 Season Registration Event

Astoria is a CSA town, it seems - there are three of them in town! Astoria CSA, which serves southeastern Astoria, is having their registration event on March 12. Here are the details below:

JOIN US!

Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:00-7:30 PM for our Member Registration Event & Farmer Q&A

This event provides:

• New Members an opportunity to ask questions to members and our farmers
• Registration opens to new members
• Find a share partner (for new and returning members)
• More information about Extended Payment and Low-Income Share Options

The event will be held at ARROW Community Center (35th Street b/w 35th & 36th Avenues).

New CSA in Astoria

CSAs are really popular in Astoria. So popular, that there is a waiting list every season. As a Core Group member of the Hellgate CSA, I've seen the demand rise for our CSA each year, and through chatting with the organizers of the Astoria CSA, I understand they are in the same situation.

And while we're excited that so many people are interested in CSAs, it's also a bummer to have to give people the news that they were not accepted by the CSA for any current season. We would love to accommodate everyone, but can't for a number of reasons.

That's why I'm really happy that another CSA is starting in Astoria! Their name is Harvest Astoria and can be found at harvestastoria.com. Their location is in an area that is not served by current CSAs, so they fill a need, location-wise. From their front page:

Welcome to Harvest Astoria.

We are a new CSA forming in the Astoria/Long Island City Area.

We have now officially obtained our distribution site: The Church of the Redeemer at 30-14 Crescent Street near 30th Ave (map).

We are proud to announce that our food will be supplied by Norwich Meadows Farm. Zaid Kurdieh is the farmer.

Please do not contact the church or the farmer for information.

If you are interested in joining please click on the CONTACT link and let us know!

Thanks for all the interest expressed so far!!

We are very excited about the requests for more information on membership that have come in. Please be patient with us as we get ourselves organized. All requests for information will be responded to in the next few weeks - so keep sending them in and keep checking our website for more information!

Definitely check them out if you are looking for a CSA in Astoria.

There are a number of CSAs in Western Queens. They are:

Hellgate CSA - Ditmars area
Astoria CSA - at ARROW, 35th Street near 35th Ave
Harvest Astoria CSA - 30th Ave and Crescent
Long Island City CSA - in LIC
Sunnyside CSA - 39th Street in Sunnyside
Farmspot - 82nd Street in Jackson Heights

They are all worth looking into if you are interested. It's a good idea to get on the waiting list(s), and sometimes slots open up during the season, too. CSAs are an easy way of moving toward a more sustainable way of life.

Photo credit: (c) Meg Cotner

Astorian Weekend Edition 20.03.08

We love our local healthy CSA's, and now there are more and more organic choices popping up. Thursday (tonight) learn all about and taste some "certified organic" and "biodynamic" wines at Hunter's Point Wines & Spirits (47-07 Vernon Blvd). The event runs 6 to 8 p.m., but be

s ure to RSVP with Lynne Serpe at 646-202-0825 or Robyn Sklar, robynsklar@gmail.com. The store holds regular tastings on Thursday and Friday nights too, good to know.

We know how much our neighborhood rocks, but it seems that the cat is out of the bag bigtime! As much as we love Loveday 31 (33-06 31st. Ave) and Mimi's Closet (21-10 31st St.) , now that Zagat and Channel 7 are onto them: things might never be the same again! Pay them a visit and see why they rate so highly. Sticking with the cute boutique theme- Candy Plum (30-98 36th St.) has drinks and treats on Saturday in celebration of a local designer sharing her accessories collection.

Welcome Spring on Saturday with Savvy Cyclist and their free, one-day "introduction to cycling" program. It's a class "ideal for new cyclists who want to learn the basics, those returning to cycling from a long hiatus, people who want to be more independent on their bike, and those who feel a little nervous while cycling in traffic." It's an all day thing going from 9am-5pm at Recycle-A-Bicycle (46 Ave. & 5th St.) There are no walk-ins so be sure to go here and register first!

I have it on good authority that Family Market (29-15 Broadway) carries some delicious daifuku. Stop by the store for all kinds of interesting imports from tiny dried fish to full on ready-to-eat meals. I'm a big fan of this one of a kind (in this nabe anyway) shop.

Hellgate CSA

The Hellgate CSA had its fourth week of distribution today, which included the first week of the fruit share. We've had some great stuff come through, and today's share didn't disappoint: cherries, apples, savory, sorrel, chives, red mustard, lettuce, tarragon, snap peas, and beets. Here are some pretty pictures of today's haul:


Beets

Savory, sorrel, chives

Cherries

Peas

Red mustard