Ann Arbor Farmer's Market has always been the place to find (reasonably) locally grown produce and tasty bake goods, but as I passed through the market today I noticed an increasing number of vendors advertising their "local-ness". Along with local baked goods, early season produce, eggs (I saw a lot of egg vendors today!), are a growing number of CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture). Many are full up by now, but some still have spots available such as "Down on the Farm", which we are considering.
It's "Down on the Farm's" first year as a CSA, and you won't find them on a website because they are an Amish farm. (And I hope they don't mind that I'm writing about them here on the Internets.) They use 100% animal and human labor. Fields are plowed and worked with horses. Down on the Farm calls themselves a "customized CSA" because you can mark those items that you particularly love, and even opt to not receive items that you don't want at all. Members will also have the opportunity to buy beef, chicken, eggs, as well as order extra vegetables for freezing or canning.
They still have shares available for this year's growing season, and the last day to join up is May 15. They deliver shares to the AA Farmer's Market, Ann Arbor West, Ypsilanti Market, and Marshall Market. (And if you work in the 777 building on Eisenhower, they are putting together a special delivery for that building!) Share costs are:
$300 for a "small" share (2 people — Wow! A CSA with a 2 person share!)
$525 for a "standard share" (4 people)
$675 for a "large share" (8 people - Now, that's the bargain!)
Down on the Farm can be reached by phone and mail, or you can find their stand at the market.
Down on the Farm
299910 R Drive S.
Homer, MI 49245
Phone after 8am: 517-542-2025
The flowers and vegetable seedlings are starting to make their appearance, but Spring Gardening Fever hasn't quite taken over the market yet, making it easy to spot all the delicious food offerings. A complete listing of all the vendors I love buying from would be... long, to say the least, so here are just a few highlight of our visit today.
In the bread department, Joe particularly likes Mill Pond Bakery's dense sprouted grain bread that has a tang like a sour dough, and I'm rather fond the lovely whole wheat/oat-blend-molasses-flavored Pendel Hill Brown bread from Community Farm Kitchen (a part of the Community Farm CSA). Served up with plenty of butter, of course!
Coffee lovers should check out RoosRoast. John Roos sold me my car — complete with a complementary bag of his coffee, and then shortly afterward he quit the rat race and devoted himself 100% to his coffee roasting business. (And he's looking fabulously happy doing it, too!) We don't drink coffee, but we like to keep some in the freezer for friends who do and today we added a bag of his "lobster butter love" coffee to replace the aging bag of (unnamed corporate fancy brand here).
And after seeing and talking about so much great food, we were hungry and ordered up some of Pilar's delicious Salvadorian-style tamales from her traveling tamale cart.
Pilar selling her very popular and delicious tamales, and of course... flowers!
I am glad to see you posting--I miss you!
Roos also sold me my car (well, kinda...he referred me to the fabulous Beth) and now sells me coffee. It is good, good stuff!
PS: Plz note new link to my food/beer blog :)
Posted by: TeacherPatti | April 26, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Hi Patti! Yes, our walking group just fell apart this year. :( And I do need to update my links and add in all the new local blogs!
Posted by: Kitchen Chick | April 27, 2009 at 09:47 PM
I love the Maple Syrup sold at the market. I just wish it wasn't $35. But it can truly make anything delicious, it is leagues above Trader Joe's maple syrup.
Posted by: Joseph | June 13, 2009 at 06:29 AM