I really didn’t want to write this review. Because if I tell you about what I think is the best kept secret in Rochester, you will all take my advice and then the price will go up.
I’m talking about Wickham Farms CSA.
Wickham Farms is probably a familiar name to many east side Rochesterians, especially if you have kids who love the jumping pillow, mini-golf, and petting zoo available. The CSA program, though, is a new addition to Wickham’s lineup this year. And frankly, it has some real highlights that differentiate it from many other CSA programs in the area.
1. You can pick and choose (within guidelines) what produce to take home. If something really stumps you, you can always leave it for someone else, and maybe take one extra of another item. This eliminates the worry that you might create waste.
2. The Farmer’s Market atmosphere. The day I went, the farm stand was busting with CSA members, employees, and even Bill Wickham, the farmer himself. It’s true that people bond over food, and we were bonding there as we weighed tomatoes, counted out potatoes, and tasted the recipe of the week.
3. Extra Bonuses! The extras really set Wickham apart. Here are some of the best:
- U-Pick Farm – on select days, CSA members can go to the actual farm (across the street from Wickham Farms) and pick whatever is growing that week. My son couldn’t get enough of the cherry tomatoes!
- Discounts on activities at Wickham farms like free mini-golf passes and 10% off birthday parties.
- U-Pick Herb Garden on CSA pickup days
- Recipe Sampling on pickup days using produce available that week
This is what I brought home for a full share:
And here’s part of a meal I made with my CSA goodies from Wickham:
From l to r: Kohlrabi and Cabbage Slaw, Blue Potato Chips, Baked Parmesan Blue Potatoes, and Tomato, cucumber, and onion salad with herb vinaigrette. Need more recipe ideas? Check out 8 things to do with CSA veggies or all my CSA recipes.
You can learn more about Wickham Farms CSA here.
Happy Picking!
Disclaimer: I was given a full share by Wickham Farms for one week to review purposes. The opinions are all my own.
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I used to live in NY and loved going to the Farmer’s Markets as a child. Sounds like a wonderful place and your kids looked like they were having fun too! Visiting from Blogger Friends Support on Facebook!
I just love places like this! You’re in luck, though, since I live in Michigan. LOL I don’t see myself being able to visit anytime soon. What an awesome place though! I’m jealous!
My first experience with CSA’s was with our local, which allowed us to choose our produce. I don’t know what I’d do with the pre-selected shares! I use more if I can select it myself.
It looks like a great place. I love fresh produce and to have the opportunity to pick it yourself is even better. I don’t think we have anything similar to picking your own vegetables. We have always been exposed to picking pumpkins, apples, strawberries etc… but usually its one type of fruit. Thanks for introducing us to this place, if I’m ever out that way I will keep it in mind.
I did quite a bit of research scoping out the local CSA options in my area, and then we ended up moving. Found one here that we are going to join for the 2013 growing season. We have been getting their food from the farmer’s market. It always amazes me how fresh the food is for such a modest price. The best part is actually meeting the people who work to produce your food and talking to them directly about what goes into the farming. Yours sounds like a real gem!! PS The photo with your daughter is adorable!!