Local Eating-What Our Subscribers are Saying about Plow to Porch

Thank you for taking the time to read our emails and respond. We don't expect everyone to respond....but if you have something to say, please say it.

We have copied the responses (anonomously) we received to, Eating Local-A Response. The responses were all so well written and thought provoking that we thought we would share them. We have a wonderful community developing. Here's what you said: (p.s. feel free to use this blog anytime, that's why it is here).

#1) i don't want to over-simplify my response so here goes... i subscribed to plow-to-porch because i wanted local and organic (i'm okay with very LIMITED local unsprayed and pesticide free). for my family, this is about adopting and adapting to a healthier lifestyle. this challenges them with new tastes and experiences and it also provides new opportunities for me in the kitchen. if i absolutely must have something that is not seasonal then i am stepping out to my local grocery store..less convenient but then it is a conscious choice that continues to remind and reinforce for me that i am stepping outside of my plan. it's ok, but i want it to be conscious. hope that makes sense.

#2) I love the selection! I think we have to just accept what is seasonal and local and eat it! If someone prefers a greater selection, buy a smaller box from Plow to Porch and then supplement with T. Joes for other foods that are not seasonal and local.PS. - it seems to be you'd be making it really hard on yourself to pack client specific request boxes.... At our house, we are just cooking up what we have. As I said, I love it. The only thing that might help is to add cooking tips (which you generally do) on those less well known items. I tried the delicata and you said and the red chard recipe (to be cooked like spinach with the ribs cut out) I found in joy of cooking. Both were sooo easy to cook, and delicious. My family all ate them. That is the good thing about vegetables, especially fresh ones, they are always good just with a little salt and pepper!!

#3) WOW - thanks for all of that information. Just FYI this week's delivery was just PERFECT for my family. We liked everything in it. We have found that some weeks we've had waste, but more because I didn't put the effort into being creative with it (too tired after a long day at the office)than we just didn't like it or it was too much. All of the new things we've tried, we have liked. My daughter, who is 11, loves to try new things - so that is not a problem at our house. It just takes a little planning ahead. Thanks for all you do.

#4) What a great email! I have just joined and haven't even received my first shipment, but now I am so glad to read about your committment to local, seasonal and organic produce. I have been a member of Fairview Garden's CSA, but I was only able to getin on the Peak Season, which is now over. So, when I heard about Plow to Porch, I knew it would be just the thing for me. Plus, I love the fact that you deliver! Please continue to work with people to help them understand the nuances of eating locally, seasonally and organically. Yes, the produce selection may be smaller than what we see in the grocery store and things are only available at certain times of the year. And, perhaps they are smaller and not as perfect looking as theirconventionally grown counterparts. But those are all things that are so easy to adapt to for the benefit of eating locally, seasonally and organically. I look forward to my first shipment!

#5) This is so informative!!!! I am very happy with our selection - would love to see eggplant, lots of apple types if avail, and anything else "in season". To me that is the fun of it and it makes my kids try new stuff. The amounts in the huge box were great this week!

#6) For what its worth.... We just received our first box this week and were refreshed to get ingredients that we do not typically buy. It pushed us out of our normal, repetitive, meals and forced us to try out new things. Recipes are the key. It's great that you provide some, but there also plenty available on the web (epicurious.com, foodtv.com, etc). It's kind of fun to see what we can do with the ingredients sent. Sort of like the competitive cooking shows. Thanks,

#7) Hi! I already sent my ok for local/no spray but I had a few more comments, I understand people like variety but I vote to please give pixie tangerines every week if available. I could use tomatoes and avocado weekly too. I'd like an occasional eggplant as well, I guess I'm a minority there. I didnt care for figs or red chard, but I tried them (new for me). The passion fruit and guavas didnt go over with my family to eat, but they juiced well. It is fun to try new things, but you're right we need the recipes. I have no idea what to do with beets. The squash with lime butter recipe was good. The melon was wonderful! Thanks for my weekly present! Do you sent us and email at the beginning of the month to remind us where and when to sent the checks?

#8) I think a couple of the reasons P2P works so well for me is: 1. I share the box with my 82 year old mother you lives up the street. 2. I love trying new recipes and the variety is a great incentive. I do feel bad when I cannot use something. My family does not like beets. Oh well. I think I would appreciate if I could go online the day before the delivery and get an idea of what will be in the box, especially if it is a highly perishable herb. (my mint, basil & oregano went brown before I could use it) So far my new and sometimes completely experimental recipes using the produce has been eaten & appreciated by family & friends.Last week I made a curried cauliflower soup that was yummy! It would also be nice if we could rely on a couple of the same produce every week, like lettuce or carrots or tomatoes. We eat salads at least 3 times during the week. Any way, I hope that helps. You all are doing a great job!

and we are taking all your suggestions in and trying to accommodate!

The P2P Team

Your Best Beet Recipes!

Anyone have a great recipe for beets. We currently have one on our recipe archive, plowtoporchrecipes.blogspot.com, but we are looking for more.

Please share!