Meet CSA Member Summer
Member Since 2022
I want to introduce you to Summer! She is a 4th generation Oregonian. She has two kiddos and along with her husband, they have made eating locally integral to their family life. They eat seasonally, buy locally, support the Buy Nothing group in their community, and love cooking.
Both Summer and her spouse work in the environmental policy arena. One of her biggest joys in life is cooking, learning about different cuisine from other cultures, and trying new things.
CSA Share Pick-Up Location
Portland
Type of Membership
10# share with lamb add-on
Joining The CSA
Summer found out about the CSA originally through word of mouth from a coworker who is also a member of the CSA. At the time, the CSA was closed to new members, but the coworker urged her to still come and purchase something from the al a carte menu.
“She invited me one day to come to the pick-up and at first, I felt kind of like an outsider because I didn’t know anyone, and I was not a member.
I kept coming back and enjoying the hangout and the community of members.
I enjoyed talking about what was happening on the ranch, what was in the boxes, and learning more about the history of where the meat was coming from.”
Eventually, Summer was able to get a spot in the CSA and start getting her own share. CSA pickup day is now something her whole family looks forward to, especially the cookies. The kids love those!
Supporting Local Agriculture
Summer was a big supporter of local and sustainable agriculture long before joining Double F Ranch Meat CSA.
In college, she lived in Europe and was exposed to the idea of buying food locally, on a more frequent basis, and in smaller quantities directly from farmers. It was at this point that her interest in local food took a vertical jump.
Her food philosophies were further expanded as she worked in environmental protection.
“I worked in environmental protection on reducing toxins in the watershed. Everything flows down river.
I think about that in terms of a metaphor for the world. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but mostly as a parent in the last couple of years.”
“We are proud to show off and enjoy the resources that are pretty darn local to the northwest.”
Summer turned this introspective and creative eye towards her wedding planning and worked to create a locally-minded, sustainably-focused event. Hosted at a ranch in Central Oregon, the wedding showcased all of the bounties Oregon has to offer. Local wines, fish, lamb, wild rice, and cheese graced everyone’s plate. The wedding party even wore wool sweaters made with wool from the ranch where the wedding took place.
Continuing the tradition of local celebrations, Summer also hosts a local Thanksgiving gathering. Food brought to the table must be:
crafted with 2/3 of ingredients from a source within 250 miles
In these ways, she finds herself in the role of “pleasant educator” at the dinner table. Gently challenging family and friends to think outside the box and enjoy the process of exploring what our local communities have to offer.
It is no surprise then that Summer and her family can be found sourcing food from a variety of local resources. Including:
Fruit and veggie CSA
Bread CSA
Local farmers markets
Picking fruit at orchards
Purchasing dairy at farmers’ markets
Growing their own food at home
The Impact Of The CSA
Before joining the CSA Summer had experienced buying beef from a local farmer in one large purchase. But there wasn’t enough variety. One of the biggest impacts on her household from the CSA has been having more variety in the cuts they cook.
She recognizes that there is always more to learn and more the family could do on their local food journey. It’s why belonging to the CSA also inspires the family to do even better. A lot of the inspiration comes from the stories shared from the farm.
“I think when you learn about how much goes into what you’re eating, you’re inspired to waste less and choose your own resources even better.”
Through the sharing of stories, Summer feels like she is being educated in a lot of ways. She is more conscious of the food supply chain and how environmental factors impact agriculture and small farm businesses.
In addition, her children are getting up close and personal experiences by seeing the difference between purchasing meat through the CSA versus the grocery store. It prompts them to reflect more about where their food is coming from.
Favorite Meals And Cuts
Hands down, one of the all-time family-favorite meal is the pre-made beef hamburger patties. Summer reports that everyone, even friends who eat dinner with them, all love this CSA-prepared cut. Summer admits that before joining the CSA she did not enjoy hamburgers but has since come around.
More favorite cuts and meals include:
Steak
Ribs
Gyros with ground lamb
Breakfast sausage
Drumsticks
Cooking a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, browning it, and saving it for a meal later in the week
The family really loves the new pepperoni sticks being offered in the online store. They use it for snacks, kid lunches, and even purchased some to send to family for Christmas.
Summer and her family eat dinner together every day and they love sharing the CSA meat with others.
“We love entertaining. Sometimes the things that we get from the CSA make it beyond our table to the table that we share with other people.”
Advice To New Members
“I would say definitely go and hang out at pick up. Everybody is lovely.
I’m involved with a lot of nonprofit organizations. I go to annual events, and I feel like Friday night is the closest thing that the CSA has to an annual event.
But I bet if everyone got together for a hangout who was from the CSA, that would be a really good party. ”
Thank you, Summer, for sharing your experience with us! -Rachel