CSA: "How much in a box? How long does it keep?"

written by

Meg Peery

posted on

January 9, 2024

Photo: A few of Saint Luke Farm's garden beds early last spring

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What are you thinking about signing up for a CSA share? (Or have you already signed up!) 👍

We loved fielding Farm Friend questions about CSA boxes this past week. As usual...you ask, we answer!

Q1: "How much produce is in a box?"

A: Because boxes always feature the freshest veggies that are ready for harvest on picking day, opening your box and revealing the varieties and quantities inside is a large part of the fun of receiving your boxes!

You can expect boxes that mirror the growing cycle—delicious smaller quantities at the beginning and end of the season, and greater quantities and variety in the middle.

Your investment represents a share of the total harvest, which will be delivered in varying amounts throughout the season.

For example...

Here are three examples of what you might expect—keeping in mind that we are painting a picture using a few sample boxes from last year, not providing an exact list of 2024's unique box contents & quantities:

Early Season example box: 5oz spinach, 1 bunch of green onions, 1 bunch of breakfast radishes, 1 bunch of turnips, 1lb of bok choy, 1 bundle of kale, micro greens 2 oz, 1 pound of sugar snap peas.

Main Season example box: 1 bundle of basil, 1 pound of bush beans, 2-4 units of squash and zucchini, 12 oz new potatoes, 3-4 sweet peppers, one pint of sun gold cherry tomatoes, one pound of slicing tomatoes, 2 cucumbers.

Late Season example box: one winter squash (2-3lbs), one bundle of japanese greens, 1lb of carrots, 5oz of salad mix, one pound of kohlrabi, 2lb cabbage, one bundle of beets.

Q2: "How long does the produce stay fresh?"

A: I'll turn this one over to a customer from last year!

"My family found some weeks were busier than others and sometimes we didn't get to the produce right away. It stored up to 2-3 weeks without losing the freshness of the product. We found that we never wasted any product because it had a nice shelf life (especially compared to grocery store produce that sits around a long time before it eventually gets purchased. Not to mention grocery store produce is normally picked before it's fully ripe which means less flavor and less nutrition!)"

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We welcome your questions anytime. If you haven't already, don't forget to sign up for your CSA share today!

Whole Chicken = $$avings!

When I take a whole chicken (or two, for my family of 6) and use every bit of it to nourish my family each week, it not only feels like a beautiful choreographed dance, but it makes me want to dance like a little kid. I feel peace and strength in knowing that I can take a whole chicken and have the flexibility to use it in so many ways and use it well for my family. We need more of those feelings in our lives, don't you think? If you want that same happiness, peace, strength, and savings that come from using a whole chicken in your kitchen and knowing you're using your food dollars well, this post is for you.The best practice in using whole chickens is to begin by thawing your chicken in your refrigerator for at least a day before you plan to cook it. Thawing the bird this way allows you to season it before cooking to ensure the best flavor, or cut it up to use individual pieces. (Jordan made a really cool video showing how we cut up our chickens. You can find that here on YouTube.) The great thing about learning to cut up your own bird is there's no quiz at the end. You can practice in your own kitchen at your own convenience, and before you know it, you'll feel that confidence in your skills. For cooking the bird whole, my favorite cooking method is in a Dutch oven or covered roasting pan. But before placing your chicken in a pan, use a paper towel to pat the bird dry. This lets all your spices penetrate the meat and results in a more robust flavor. I season my chicken (you can rub seasonings into or even under the skin) with salt and pepper, and then choose one or two more spices like garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, oregano, or thyme. An easy option is to keep your favorite pre-mixed seasoning mixes on hand. You can also cook the bird in the crock pot or Instant Pot. In most cases, roasting the whole bird in the oven gives the best flavor and texture. My family's personal favorite way to cook whole chickens is in an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. (My children always love the crispy skin and eat it like chips!) Whatever method you use to cook your birds, I always recommend placing chickens breast-side down. This ensures the white meat doesn't dry out as it cooks, but stays moist and juicy! In the oven, plan to cook your chicken at 350 for about 20 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to check that your chicken reaches at least 165 degrees. I usually shoot for about 180 degrees, because we like the meat very tender and falling off the bones. Let your bird rest 10-15 minutes before you cut into it. This allows the juices to redistribute and locks them in for tastier chicken. On the day you cook your bird, enjoy the mouthwatering flavor by serving it whole. My husband and I both enjoy the dark meat most, so we eat the thighs on the first night. My 5 and 3 year-olds always request "bone meat", so they usually eat the legs or wings. Now that all 4 children love roasted chicken, we usually cook 2 chickens at a time so that we have more left over after our first meal. After dinner, I pick off the bones what meat is left and store the bones and the chicken in separate containers overnight. And save that juice! The bones and juice cooked off the chicken will be used tomorrow for making bone broth. From a 4-5-pound chicken, you can expect 5-7 cups of boneless, skinless chicken (total). One of my chickens was around 5 pounds, and you can see in the photo that I ended up with nearly 8 cups! If you want, you can freeze your shredded chicken to use later. Most recipes call for 2 cups of shredded or cubed chicken, so keep that in mind if you decide to freeze it. It's a good idea to freeze it in 2-cup bags or containers. When deboning, I like to separate the chicken into large chunks. Then, with a clean, sharp pair of kitchen scissors, I can simply cut it up into cubes of any size I want. These easy chicken cubes make the BEST white chili, soups, or chicken salad you can imagine! Since it will easily keep in a sealed container in your refrigerator for up to 7 days, you can also spread your chicken meals out and alternate with another protein source some nights, or plan for easy homemade lunches. (We eat a LOT of chicken salad around here.)Here are some of our favorite ways to use this homemade boneless, skinless chicken: Chicken chiliChicken pot pieThai chicken curryAny casserole that calls for chickenHomemade pizzaChicken saladChicken enchiladas Chicken FajitasAsian stir fryCheck out our library of Tried and True chicken recipes A good chicken should be more than just a nourishing meal. You should have peace of mind knowing that you used your hard-earned dollars well, and it's great if it makes you want to do a happy dance, too. Do you have a favorite way to prepare a whole chicken? Share your recipes, stories, and those little traditions that make a meal feel like home to you. Here’s to gathering often, eating well, and savoring every bite. Hannah

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