One thing I’m definitely going to miss about Amherst is the availability of local produce. In my case, proximity is an added bonus.
Last spring semester, my roommates and I had a CSA, which meant an abundance of vegetables every two weeks. But sometimes, that abundance was a problem: what am I supposed to do with four celeriacs in one week?
Recently, I discovered a solution and it’s walking distance from where I live: the Swartz Family Farm.
It has been a family farm since 1919. Most of the produce there is grown hydroponically, which means the plants are grown without using any soil. Things on this farm are also grown 365 days a year! From the website:
“We grow our crops in a greenhouse, which allows us to operate all year round…The greenhouse environment also helps us to control the plant’s physical environment, which helps us to produce crops of a much higher quality. Exposure to wind, rain, dirt, drought, and insects can all lower taste, texture, and nutritional value.
We use NO PESTICIDES in our growing facility… EVER. We limit any potential insect or disease pests with good sanitation practices and biological insect control. We regularly introduce different insects that feed on insect pests that would feed on our plants.”
Unlike CSA shares, where you pick up a box of pre-determined produce weekly or bi-weekly, you can get what you need from this farm as often as you want. All you have to do is fill out an order form online and then bring your payment on the day of pick-up.
Your produce will be waiting for you here:
You’ll find a bag with your name and the produce you pre-ordered inside:
You see the box on the bottom right and the bag on top of it? It’s got my name on it 
I got lots of greens, a decorative pumpkin (just ’cause) and a butternut squash.
Now, I know there’s been some serious huge zucchini wars in the blogosphere. But this squash deserves it’s own category:
It’s the size of our pleansantly plump cat:
….Or a baby:
Fortunately, I know what I can do with butternut squash Look at all the green salad mix and lettuce! Gorgeous:
I also ended up with a bag of horseradish greens, which the farm lists as a “salad spiker.” I’ve never had it before. Thoughts?
If that heck of a sqush doesn’t scream “fall,” I don’t know what does. I’m going to go jumpstart my greens consumption and find some pumpkin beer.
I love this! Proof that squash goes with anything, even puss
Does Brooklyn have farm stands?
What a lovely farm!
That farm is an awesome find, woohoo!
And that squash is obscenely huge. I hope you carry it around as a baby for “practice.” (I also hope this includes pushing it around in a perambulator, as the Brits say.)
a massive squash?! Count me in!!
haha
pre-ordered produce is the best idea since sliced bread!
p.s. fixed the link sitch on my oats post, sorry about that girl!
Yay squash! Can’t wait to see what you do with it (I keep meaning to try and recreate your grandmother’s butternut squash rice pudding!)
There is a similar place that does bags like that in Brooklyn I think?
Thats an AWESOME idea! Dang, I want that kind of grocery shopping
So convieniant!
That squash is ginormous! yumm
Such beautiful (albeit gigantic) produce!
ha your title is hilarious!!
hurray for a new way to get veggies!! they sound amazing!!
also looking forward to what else you pick up there in the future!!
HAPPY WEEKEND OLGA!
Incredible market!
That farm looks wonderful!! And, yes, squash (especially that one, haha) certainly screams fall!
wow, that farm sounds awesome! i’ve never seen one that offered that type of ordering before. how cool!
I can’t WAIT to see what you do with that huge squash
twss.
have a good Friday!