I’ve been looking around for a while for a CSA or organic produce delivery service I could sign up for. After searching, I decided to go with Mama Earth’s Organics…not exactly a CSA, but they deliver to my door (a key point in the downtown Toronto core when it can be pain to try and get a bit north of the city on a deadline after work as most CSAs here require pickup). They source their fruits and vegetable from small, family owned farms. They try to provide local offerings from Ontario when possible, but they also work with some farms in the US. I do see the benefits of eating locally, but having moved from California to someplace that has a good 6 months of winter, I find it hard to eat locally produced veggies all year-round. Let’s face it – not much grows here when it’s -20C.

Today I got my first delivery and couldn’t wait to share it with everyone! My find in this box are the garlic scapes, which I have never tried before (the long, thin greens in the picture below). After trying a small nibble I understand the raves they have received from a fellow vegetarian co-worker I was talking with earlier this week. They have an intense garlic flavour, but without the bitterness. I’ve also been told their crunchier texture holds up when cooked compared to garlic. Garlic scapes, apparently, are a June delicacy.

Another bonus with Mama Earth Organics is that they team up with other local small business to supply pantry staples, organic dairy products (which I’ve passed over this month!), and fresh bread. Those who know me well, know that I am a lover of fresh sourdough bread. The bread is baked the same morning of your delivery!  So of course, I had to supplement my basket with a loaf of organic, whole wheat sourdough bread baked this very morning by St. John’s Bakery. Not only does St. John’s use high quality ingredients and no preservatives, they have a program that allows individuals who have experienced hardship and special challenges in their lives to gain work skills in their bakery. I can’t wait to try my first slice of this loaf of bread!