Comments on: When it’s OK to eat citrus

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:26:51 +0000

Hey Danielle,
I’ve heard that complaint from people too. And while I think it’s important for us to scrutinize the reality of what we accept as part of our local food options, I guess I think it’s not really useful to completely dismiss what Enterprise is doing.

Cause really, what’s the alternative? Shopping at Whole F#$*s? I seriously doubt anyone is preserving enough Massachusetts-grown veggies to last through the winter, or simply going without until June.

We are not purists and we would never advise people remove things like olive oil, tea and chocolate from their lives. And 100 mile thing makes the localvore movement seem like an exercise in denial. But that said, I’d estimate that at least 70 percent of what we eat, year-round, is coming from New Englad.

We had a share with Enterprise them last winter — their pilot year. The flow of lettuce and summer squash was weird and when Enterprise asked for input from shareholders, we told them. It will be interesting to see how things change this year. The fact that we were invited to comment at all seems like the most meaningful part of this scenario.

By: Missy

Missy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:40:09 +0000

I also got my first share from Enterprise this last week….although a true localvore may stick to the 100/250 mile rule, I think getting east coast small farm organic produce through the winter is a great option for those of us that are somewhere in the middle. We want some produce in the winter that isn’t a root veggie but we DON”T want it from CA or even Australia, and we can support our local farms through the winter at the same time. For those of you that can do the 100/250 mile diet I think that’s great, but I’m just not ready to give up my olive oil, coffee, spices, and citrus just yet…small steps…

By: Cora

Cora — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:44:38 +0000

Chiming in — I quit Enterprise last year mostly because 1) it did not promote seasonal eating (citrus is seasonal — but they were promoting the consumption of strawberries from Georgia in April — just wait for Massachusetts ones in June, I say)
2) the quality of the Florida, etc. produce was really ordinary to bad — I can buy what they had (Lady Moon Farms) in the coop, etc. if I need to, but I won’t because there was not very much in the way of flavor there. Plus it was beets and greens which should be available here in the winter and spring through proper (ok advanced) growing and storage.
So, like you, I want to support regional food systems, but only when they don’t undermine local ones.
ps Here’s another idea — regional luxury food trading (and only for non very perishables) — maple syrup for clementines — treat non-local food as luxuries and imbue them with the value and preciousness they deserve. No refrigerated trucks running up and down and all around.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:42:42 +0000

Hey guys–I’ve heard from some people who think Enterprise is a bit of a crock, because South Carolina isn’t at all local. What do you think?

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:59:55 +0000

I am new to the Enterprise CSA this year. We got our first delivery last week and the citrus (along with everything else) is delicious! You guys are so right! Can’t wait for this weeks box to arrive.