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Photo by Sabrina Moscola
Photos courtesy of Queens Farms
Lynette Pettinicchi, another member,
has a similar experience.
“This is my first time participating in
a CSA and I’ve had a great experience
with Queen’s Farms so far,” said Pettinicchi,
who especially enjoys the personal
correspondence with members and
the recipes included in each box. “They
are also working toward being ecofriendly
by providing members with
reusable items to reduce waste. All of
the items in the boxes are fresh, flavorful
and beautiful. I’m looking forward
to trying vegetables that I normally
wouldn’t purchase at the store!”
But despite the CSA’s success, Pidgeon
and Garland face challenges.
“Due to a mild winter and short periods
of rain at the wrong times, there has
been significant insect pressure. Since
we do not use insecticides, pesticides
or synthetic fertilizers, and we abide by
organic practices, it has been very difficult
to keep insects at bay,” Garland
said. “We are at the mercy of the rain
and there hasn’t been a lot this year.
We try as best we can not to irrigate unless
it is absolutely necessary, and it has
been over the past month or so.”
They plan to continue this project next
year with a slightly different model and a
more diverse mix of produce. Their passion
to provide quality nutrition to the
community will remain the same.
The beautiful spontaneity of this CSA
is about finding opportunity amid a pandemic.
For me, it was about the obvious
need to start eating healthier and being
mindful of where my food is coming
from. For Garland and Pidgeon, the drivers
were contributing to local ecology,
leaving the land better than they found
it and sharing sustainable values and the
love of food with the community.
Queens Farms’ vegetables are being
grown in Lagrangeville, New York, and
the herbs are being grown in Astoria.
For more information and to join next
season, visit queensfarms.com.
QUEENSFARMS.COM
INFO@QUEENSFARMS.COM
@QUEENSFARMS
/queensfarms.com
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