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.

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.

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.

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.

Advice To New Members

Thank you, Summer, for sharing your experience with us! -Rachel