Here is the program that I have started at CNN. It has been a great sucess so far!
A Kennesaw couple is saving their community money on fresh produce with a unique system that is similar to Community Supported Agriculture but less expensive and with more options.
Kristina and Tom Plauche started Farmer's Market Baskets in their garage but moved into a Cobb County warehouse as their businessbegan to grow.
The Plauche's buy large shipments of produce twice a week at the State Farmer's Market in Forest Park and fill baskets for pickup and delivery to hundreds of area consumers. "We have suppliers down there and we talk to the suppliers the day before to find out what's available, what's fresh, what's good," said Tom Plauche.
Members can pick up a fresh market basket on Thursday at the company's Kennesaw warehouse, and even volunteer to fill baskets to get a discount. The company also delivers to drop-off points around metro Atlanta with a minimum of 10 orders.
Crystal Collins, who authors the Thethriftymama.com blog, recommends the service. "Compared to the store I'm saving $25 to $30 each week,' she said.
Kristina Plauche said most customers will save about 50 percent compared to grocery store prices. "We are a co-op so we are not committed to a specific farm. We can buy from all sorts of different farmers to get the quality and variety for everything to be consistent," she explained. Typical Community Supported Agriculture groups make weekly purchases from just one farm and members receive whatever is available and in season.
The Farmer's Market Basket will feature more goods from local farms later this spring and even from backyard growers. The owners also plan to offer canning classes.
For information on joining, call (404) 433-4056 or go www.farmersmarketbaskets.com