What our CSA customers are saying about our program!

Why did you join our CSA?

Responses.

We knew that joining the CSA would force us to try veggies that we would never have purchased ourselves.

And to support local growers/producers/suppliers, and I can't always make it to the Farmers' Markets around town (and don't want to trade my carbon foot print by driving all over town chasing the markets).

I wanted to support small farming efforts as opposed to agri-business and to have locally grown food which I have read is more beneficial to our bodies

I feel that this is one of the most productive things I can do in society

Value is a very close second to being able to get fresh.

Buying locally grown produce is really important to me, so I love the CSA. I also like getting so many different veggies each week and experimenting with them. We do a partial share and it's just perfect for our family.

Really, all of the first three apply to some extent, but I feel very strongly about supporting local agriculture and want to try to be better about eating organically and eating what is in season.

I have the best intentions of frequenting the farmers markets but never seem to get there. Joining the CSA has been much more convenient for me.

Fresh, local veggies from someone that I knew took producing good food seriously.

We like organic produce, and like to support local growers and suppliers. I like getting a variety of veggies. Otherwise I tend to stick with the same set of veggies. For example, I would rarely cook with eggplant and okra, but getting them in my bag forces me to try new recipes.

I also believe in supporting community farmers vs big business!

How would you rate the quality of the veggies you received?

Responses.

Looooooooove the greens. the rest is good, too. :)

Some of the cucs were soft/had mold, and two tomatoes were the same. The broccoli didn't look so good, but it tasted OK. Other than that, I was EXTREMELY pleased with the quality and flavor. I think you should have a higher rating on your list above. "Very good" and "Excellent."

Exactly what I would expect from my own garden, if I had time, talent to grow one!

Very fresh and tasty

My only complaint was some bruising on quite a few tomatoes.....If used very quickly, it wasn't a problem, but it did cause them to spoil faster. I understand they're delicate, though and easy to bruise.

Wonderful!

I recognize that the TX growing season can be challenging, so we're understanding and patient (and recognize that each year, a CSA can be bountiful, disheartening, or somewhere in-between).

Everything is great... I'm learning to like kale.... Slowly... :)

Nearly every meal we comment that these vegetables taste far better than what we ate previously.

Everything has come in good condition.

They are wonderful!

We've been thrilled with the quality I understand that quality varies a lot depending on some conditions that aren't within the farmer's control

Sometimes a few of the veggies are at their prime and have to be used that day or the next. It can be hard to come up with something to make at the last minute.

The only disappointment was the broccoli. It was so filled with little green worms that I ended up (after three washings, and still being unable to get all of the worms out) throwing the entire bag out.

Other than some slightly wilted salad greens, "bulb fennel" that barely had a bulb, and the saddest little broccoli I've ever laid eyes on, I've been very happy with the quality.

How would you rate the variety of veggies you received?

Responses.

More corn & diff varieties of tomatoes. I loved squash varieties. I would prefer Kirby cucumbers. The cantalope was our favorite. Southern peas and beans would have been perfect.

There were a lot of cucs and squash, but you have to go with what can grow!!! That is part of the CSA!

We loved the pattypan(?) squash but then it was summer squash over & over again.

I am finding that even a partial share is alot for 2 people. But it is making me try new recipes and I appreciate alot the recipes that Van sends each week. Very helpful. I have tried almost all of them

I can plan weekly meals around them, and get a few things from the store to fill out the mix.

There are times when I have way too many potatoes.

I think it's great. I love all the cucumbers and squash and tomatoes. I wish there was more broccoli, but I know that is probably tricky with the weather. I have wished there were more salad greens, and salad greens in every

Friggin greatttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

We're still getting accustomed to the what/when of the TX growing season.

This session has been better than past ones. I can tell you've been working on this.

How would you rate the variety of veggies you received?

Responses.

Impressive!

We are challenged by the variety, and enjoy the additions to our culinary repertoire. We regularly find and perfect new recipes using vegetables we hadn't previously purchased at the supermarket.

However, I understand weather has a lot to do with it!

I know there may be complaints about summer squash and cucumbers, but I like experimenting with those and haven't really had trouble using them up.

I would have liked to receive more fruit, and got very tired of kale!

We're pleased with the variety too - we get enough new things to keep it interesting but we get enough repeats that we can keep trying new recipes. Works for us.

Especially appreciate the varieties you choose to grow. Would love to see additional greens next year since the kale is always so big and pretty.

Variety is always better. Fewer potatoes please

Variety could be better.

What about value? Did you get what was conveyed to you when you signed up?

Responses.

I was worried at the beginning because it took a long time for the share to start, but I have been happy since then.

Are you talking about dollar value to food item?

I dont really know how to assess that factor.

I like that the veggies are fresh and grown locally so for me that is good value.

Probably not comparable cost to what I could get in the store, but my primary goal was per Question 1, above.

Friggin greatttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

i have had a full and partial share and I see no difference. I would expect more in a full share

This is the first time we've done something like this- so I don't have anything to compare against. I would say it's probably more than I expected- but it's great!

Absolutely! and More!

Definitely a good value, especially when you factor in the guilt-free nature of these farm to table vegetables.

I wasn't sure what the quantities would be in a partial share, but I am very pleased with what we receive. It is a good value for only $22/week!

Things are obviously cheaper at Walmart, but I feel like I'm getting a much higher quality product so I don't mind paying more for it.

Not really familiar with what the prices are at the market, but to have fresh food of this caliber and delivered to my neighborhood . . . $33 sounds plenty fair.

Each bag runs about $33. It's a little pricey when you look at it that way.

We receive a partial share. We see full share people getting additional items. Partial shares should receive the same as full shares, only less.

Very good value considering all the variety.

Excellent! Having been in a couple CSA's already in various states, felt you provided excellent variety!

How would you make the program better?

Responses.

But we live in an area where I'm not expecting anything closer to us, really. it would just be nice. I like the idea of insulated bags, too, but I feel like most of it does fine without. If you did have them, you wouldn't need to put the greens in the cooler separately

About the option to purchase add on... interesting... I know my mother-in-law in Colorado said that their shares could include bread. I like the cheese idea... Not sure if I would do the meats. Washing.. not that big a deal to me, but one week I think I washed half the dirt from your farm down my sink/ out of my fridge!!!

Home delivery is intriguing, but I think for those who work having the veggies sit in the heat wouldn't be a good idea. One of the main reasons I got your CSA is because I would really love to be able to order more of certain items

I would be interested in eggs, cheese and meats such as chicken, beef or pork. I might be interested in home delivery depending on the price

Our OH CSA partnered with several other local growers and farmers, which enabled them to pull together a variety of options. (They even offered a Thanksgiving Dinner collection that included a free-range, Ohio farm-raised bird) in mid Nov. However, I will say that offering artisian cheeses, breads, etc may be a way to bring others into the fold.

If possible without dramatically affecting deliveries the ability to purchase additional items, such as the recent offer of frozen chickens, etc. would be great.

Eggs and/or cheese would be phenomenal. We would regularly purchase these products through WDF if available.

More durable bags - add a one time bag fee of maybe $5 to each share, and get some reusable bags (like the ones grocery stores are selling for $1) and ask people to return the bags to the place where they pick them up, then you can reuse them every other week. You may lose some along the way, but I bet people would donate some too

You simply must to a better job of protecting squashable items (TOMATOES!). There's no sense in giving me beautiful, delicious tomatoes that are squished or ruined. Throwing them in a paper bag along with squash and potatoes just won't end well.

Do you find the email communications about the farm and recipes helpful?

Responses.

This is the best part. A forum would be great as well.

I LOVE the recipes that you send! I have tried almost every one.

Thank you very much for these, especially for the veggies. I am not that great at knowing what to do with kale and fennel. You might want to remind people that some veggies can be frozen. I did this with some of the beans.

Recipes are great otherwise i would not know what do do with some of the things i get : )

I love them

yes! Very!

Friggin greatttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Would have liked to have known earlier that the season wasn't going to start until May. Once things got going, though, the emails have been helpful (reminders, recipes, list of produce to expect in our shares, etc)

Love the recipes!!! Keep'em coming

I've made some of the recipes you've sent and they have all turned out excellent.

YES!! I look forward to reading about the farm and getting reciepes.

Appreciate the heads up on what we're getting.

Excellent!

I love getting the emails and recipes. It's nice to have a connection with the people who are growing our food!

like the emails, knowing what may be coming in shares, hearing about farm conditions, recipes.

Love 'em. I look forward to reading them every week.

It is great to hear about the life of farming... the good, the bad, and the ugly. I feel connected to the farm. Not just a vendor, it is my farm in a way. I really like the updates and the recipes and food prep is vital.

Especially love the care info and the recipes

Would encourage archiving postings on the blog, and posting blog entries onto Facebook. I think you can drive traffic to the site/your farm more easily this way, and also nurture an interested, knowledgeable following. Also encourage Twitter (good way to tell people, also, if shares are running late or share some special news). I'm not crazy about the last two myself, but can't deny how much people rely on those two technologies.

love the recipe tips

We really like to hear from Van about the progress of the farm, but we have nicknamed him "Schleprock" (of The Flintstones), for his sometimes dramatic lamentation of plague, pestilence and impending famine. But, then, the clouds part, the swarming insects retreat, and vegetables once again flower forth.

Would be good to get the communications and recipes over the weekend if possible. I tend to do most of my meal planning for the week so the early I know what I'll be getting the better for my planning.

One comment. In my opinion the produce was wonderful, I felt however, the emails focused too much on the negative things happening to the farm, I would have rather read about the more positive things. Perhaps I am not as interested in learning about the downside of the weather:) Sorry, just being honest --loved everything else!

Do you find the process of accessing/navigating our website easy and payment options useful?

Responses

Not sure if this is an option, but I would love to be able to pay online.

I have been to your website and find it good. I didn't know there was another option to pay other than check, but I wasn't really paying attention.

Prefer payment option other than PayPal

Friggin greatttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Paying by check was fine, paying online would have been easier.

I wasn't aware of choices in payment options. I thought we could only send in a check.

liked the paypal

Plenty good enough, I think.

I can't comment. My wife took care of payment.

Will you participate in future Wood Duck Farm CSA programs and/or refer this program to a friend?

Responses.

I am going to increase my share to a full share next round.

I want to do the next CSA. Please put me on the list and tell me when to pay...

i have referred this to other people. the only thing is that i wish the full share was larger. i participated in another Veggie coop and the shares were larger

The Kingwood Farmer's market is a tempting alternate. Do you plan to sell there?

My husband and my boys are either away at college or gone every evening to work or activities. I have wasted so much food trying to work around them that I am not sure if I want to continue. I might participate in the fall because at least we have some type of routine but probably not during the next spring/summer.

I have already recommended you to some friends and will continue to do

Friggin greatttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

as long as van grows the veggies, my wife & I will continue to buy from him, like i already said but just in case you didn't see it

I believe that we'll continue w/ Wood Duck mostly b/c of the convenience of The Woodlands area pickup option.

I have convinced 3 separate friends to join the program throughout the past year.

Already referred a friend.

Yes! I will definitely participate again and tell all my friends about it.

Definitely!

This is a great CSA for those who enjoy great flavor and don't want to structure their weekends around the markets. Highly recommend it to my friends.

I would recommend this to others, I have a friend picking up my share while I am out of town to try this out. Needless to say, they are very excited about it!

Suggestions we should consider? Please provide your input.

Responses.

I would like a better box system for getting everything home. I have started bring a box with me. Even those black plastic crates would work better.

I love the salad greens and arugula. They make the share worth it to me.

I would have also enjoyed fresh beans like butter or pinto and purple hull peas - all easy to grow here. I grew up on that. Skip trying to grow brocolli out if season and give us fresh cranberry beans please.

Thanks for the great food.

Have enjoyed both seasons of CSA. Only a half share but is enough for 2 of us. Had never had Arugula before fall. Thought it was a bit much then, but really missed it over the winter!!!

I really enjoyed the small container of micro-greens last fall, a bit sad only full shares got it this summer.

I know it's been a tough spring with the rain and now the heat is here.

Best wishes to you all. I am planning to continue my participation in the fall. Thanks, Sometimes I wish more fruit could be integrated into the program.

I love the program, I never have to buy produce from grocery store during the ten weeks except for fruit.

The lettuce does not stay fresh very long. It would benefit from an insulated bag. Considering how you deliver lettuce is something that would improve your program.

I like the notes each week at the pick up location because I don't always check my email regularly.

Maybe provide a sheet at the beginning of the share delivery telling how to best store certain veggies. Like tomatoes... I sometimes put them on the counter and sometimes in the fridge... not sure which is better!

Thank you very much for all your hard work on the CSA.

I am very pleased, and look forward to being a long term partner.

Nothing else, keep up the good work!

I would LOVE to be able to add on additional items (ie. tomatoes if I'm planning a party for salsa). I would also be super, super pleased to order cheeses, meats and eggs. That would eliminate my shopping trip on Saturdays.

We've been very happy with it! Thanks.....

Thank you for your hard work and amazing success considering the weather in Texas! I have had many failures with my own garden which is why I participate in your coop.

I'd like more zucchini!

we love it! Thank you! Will continue to recommend.

nothing that I haven't already shared ;) good job with the survey and this email service....comes off very professional!!!

keep up the great work van we will be in this with you for the long haul my friend

As stated above, the ability to "special order" items, or items at least around holidays would be a help and easier, as the farmer's market is not always an option

I enjoyed the farm dinner/tour.... That would be fun to do again.... Maybe at the begining of the each growing season?

I've enjoyed this so much. I just need to learn to preserve veggies better, because I'm fast running out of room in my freezer! But filling up the freezer was the whole point to this adventure anyway! SO I'm satisfied. Thanks!

Keep it up! You're an important part to our lives!

how many of the veggies that you grow are open pollinated/heirloom varieties???...where do you get your seed???

are you growing things known for exceptional flavor...or just b/c they produce well??

have you thought of growing odd-ball things that can't easily be purchased at whole foods???...things that might be new and different...allowing your members to try new things/experiment???

My only disappointment was not getting a certain item (Portabella mushrooms) because I have a Partial share. I realize the Full shares pay more, but I have a partial share because of the size of my family. I expect to get less than the full share, but I did not expect to not get the same items. Other than this, I am been extremely happy with my veggies and have share with many people about your CSA program. Thanks!

Thank you! I love this program and am so glad you come to Fall Creek!

Please, just don't let me see those green worms all over the broccoli again. And plant less kale!

i'll tell you the things i love and would like to have more of: tomatoes!!! corn micro basil (can it come at same time as tomatoes?) or full size basil?

i am so happy w/ all the produce and the general variety of it. a little heavy on the kale and squash, but since i used to garden, i know how that is.

the mushrooms were a pleasant surprise. thanks!

The money for the food is a bit high, but the satisfaction of knowing it was grown for me and picked right before delivery is worth the extra cost. I like supporting my local farmer. It is interesting and rewarding beyond the money aspect. Van is such a nice guy, how could you not want to be a part of his operation.

Put together a bound "cookbook" of recipes for CSA produce in addition to the recipes you email to us. Offer a donation option, so we can donate items we won't use or don't like to a needy organization in the area.

We have been very happy with the quality and variety. I've never tasted such great veggies! The emails with recipes and suggestions on how to care for/store the veggies are greatly appreciated too. We really appreciated the open house at the farm. Seeing where the vegetables are coming from (and the hayride!) really made it "click" for my son, and it's much easier to get him to try new things when I tell them they are from the farm. I love getting a big bag of surprises every week, and it has cut down on my spending at the grocery store, and added variety to our meals. A+ across the board - keep up the good work!

Paper bags can get quite soggy from the cool veggies/Houston humidity and tear, but hate plastic as an option. Traditional tomato boxes are something like $2/box, I wonder if there are any other disposable (or so inexpensive it doesn't matter if they aren't returned) options for humid/hot days? Maybe mesh bags like the kind 25 lb. onions, 40 lbs carrots come in? They store and re-use (maybe run them through a washing mashine, gentle cycle?), but if get thrown away it will not be too $$$.