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I'd like to know what you all think about CSA boxes, "groentetassen" (that's what there are called in the Netherlands) and other bulk schemes where you get a large amount of vegetables at the same time and the farmer chooses which vegetables you are going to get.

Personally, I like them a lot. They make sure I eat seasonally, and this way I can eat organic vegetables for an affordable price. And I also like being forced to try vegetables I normally wouldn't get, such as Jerusalem artichokes (didn't know how to cook them), leeks and broccoli (used to think they were boring) and even beetroot (used to think I did not like them at all).

Of course, there are drawbacks to it as well: There are some vegetables that I still do not like but still get (rutabaga/swede), some I don't get as much as I'd like to (tomatoes) and some I can only eat on Wednesday and Thursday now, as they don't keep well and I get the vegetables on Wednesday (lettuces).

And it does take a lot of creativity to make something nice of the two cabbages a week you get in winter. Nice if I'm feeling creative, not so nice if I just want to make dinner.

But it did help me a lot when I was in a bit of a cooking rut a while ago, the kind where you just don't feel like making anything else than those ten recipes you can make with your eyes closed.

I've belonged to a CSA in four States now and though all have been different I love the connection to the farmers and seasonal eating.  Some have been the harvest from local farmers, some only one farm.  The one I currently belong to in Arkansas, USA, is transitioning to a full participation CSA.  Up to now the contents of the monthly baskets come from farmers around the state and effort is made to see that each basket is worth the payment.  Starting in Spring 2011, 80+% of the products will come from one farm that the CSA subscribers will invest sweat in addition to cash.  This model runs on the premise that we, the subscribers, pay up front a yearly share or half-share and if it is a good year at the farm it is a good year for the subscribers.  I prefer this method as I like the chance to dig in the dirt.  It also really focuses on the connection between the table and the farmer and, more  importantly to me, the support of the small farmer.  As you probably know, Amerincan agrabusiness is all about quantity and not quality. 

I live in Florida and belong to Worden Farms in Punta Gorda.  CSA season here is from December to April.  They have options.  They deliver a box of their choosing or you can go directly to the Farm on Wednesday and choose yourself.   I like the Wednesday plan.  They always have someone making a sample dish with recipes.  Big sand pile for  the kids to play in and a cleaning station if you want to that there.

I too, have broadened my knowledge of vegetables.  I never had swss chard and now it's a regular pick up.