What it Takes to Put Together a CSA Box

It usually takes us the better part of two days, Monday and Tuesday, to pick, wash, and package all the produce for the CSA.

Corn is always picked the day we deliver it - making it extra delicious.

When corn is available, we usually pick 22 dozen (approx. 260 ears) at a time.

And there's a lot on your knees...

(Beans are being picked in this photo.)

... and bending over picking.

(Cucumbers are being picked in this photo.)

There are usually 3-4 people working each Tuesday to prepare the CSA.

Once the produce is picked it needs washed.

This can be quite a nice job on a hot day!

Tomatoes are typically wiped with a damp cloth to remove the dirt. Washing them this way is much better than putting them in a tub of water and rolling them around because it keeps them from becoming bruised. 

Eggplant just need a fast rinse.

All of our produce, after it's been picked, needs to be sorted.

The next step is to set all the boxes out, which can take 15-30 minutes.

On Tuesdays, we pack 14 full-share boxes and 33 half-share boxes, making a total of 47 boxes!

Next, we go down the line and try to put the same number vegetables in each box (i.e. 4 tomatoes for a half-share, 8 tomatoes for a full-share).

Red potatoes

So, here's your box (Aug. 10th)!

Do you understand a little more now what goes on behind the scenes to get your vegetables to you?

We enjoy it a lot!

~ Jonathan