Foodhoe's Foraging

Winters, CA | website

Mmm, fruits and vegetables fresh from the farm… I have just renewed my subscription to Terra Firma Farms weekly fruit and veggie box now that summer’s bounty is getting into full swing. It is satisfying to be able to directly suport a small, local farm in exchange for a weekly supply of fresh, organically grown products. I look forward to seeing what’s inside the box every week and to read their very entertaining and educational newsletter containing recipe ideas for the enclosed produce.

Contents of box Weds June 20th

The week before we had corn, watermelon, peaches, strawberries, green beans. The organic corn generally has a worm in the silky strands, so I chop off the entire top and toss that before I pull off the green leafy covering. Just a little squeamish about worms and bugs…

Years ago I went to one of their Farm Days when members are invited to drive out and take a tour of their farm, giving us the opportunity to meet the people responsible for producing our adored veggies and fruit. It was located out in Yolo county near Davis in a sprawling agricultural splendor. They’ve been growing CCOF (CA Certified Organic Farmers) vegetables for over ten years and provide incredible vegetables to over 700 subscribers in the Bay Area and beyond.

How it works.

I signed up for a small box which is delivered once a week to a nearby drop off spot, which is generally someone’s home and pickup times are only allowed during designated hours (1.30-7.30p for mine). Here is a picture of the drop off spot with stacks of boxes. It is $52 a month for a small box, and no you don’t get to pick what comes in the box… Part of the fun is trying new vegetables and fruits!

The small boxes are in the front. Here is a picture of the interior… just like christmas every week!

It’s based on the honor system that you will pickup just your box, and it is bad form to dig around inside the boxes as they are all the same contents. There’s a signoff sheet to verify you picked up your box along with the weekly newsletter.

I always bring a canvas bag to empty the veggies into, and leave the wax covered produce box for Terrafirma to recycle. Otherwise it is a pain to remember to bring back the broken down boxes.

Since we moved out to the hills of San Leandro, I’ve been very unsatisfied with shopping at Albertsons and Safeway where everything was picked 2 months ago and traveled across the globe, losing flavor along the way. The stuff in the box is vastly different. It’s fresh picked and tastes like it.

As you know, I am much more of an eater than a cooker, so check my recipe box for things related to cooking and the kitchen. I keep a separate blog for recipes, it’s simpler to find thngs and keep them sorted, although I am not very good at photographing while I’m cooking and always forget to take a picture in the excitement when it’s done. I’m trying to get better about that…