Fresh Veggies (Honey Brook Organic Farm)
Honey Brook Organic Farm, Pennington, NJ
(Website)
Looking for fresh, organic, local vegetables and fruits? Honey Brook Organic Farm, located in nearby Pennington in the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve, is the oldest organic farm in New Jersey, founded in 1991. And they DELIVER TO TRENTON, dropping off boxes of “shares” weekly at a home in the Mill Hill section, where (if you live in Trenton) you can pick it up easily.
The farm works on a “share” system. You register in the Fall for a share ($600 in 2010), then get fixed deliveries of the farm’s produce for the following year’s growing season, typically May to October. The farm grows over 60 types of crops and 350 varieties, including many unusual and heirloom varieties. Quantities depend on the season, but depending on how committed you are to cooking veggies every day, a single share is probably more than enough for a family of 4. If you live alone or with a partner, or eat out frequently, you’d almost certainly want to split a share with a friend.
You can also pick up produce at the farm directly, which is about a half hour drive away. There you have the option of an “individual share”, roughly half the size and cost of a “family share” (which is the only size delivered to Trenton), and may get to pick and choose some extras like herbs and flowers that may not be fully distributed in the delivery program.
The quality of the produce is outstanding, though it’s not always the most consumer-friendly way to get produce. We’ve had boxes show up and not know what most of the items were (much less recipes for cooking them), though the farm does try to help you out with handouts explaining the more exotic stuff, and recipes on their website. You have absolutely no control over quantities: you might love eggplant and get one small one, and hate zucchini, and get a dozen of them. It’s also relentless, as another box share is going to show up every Wednesday, whether you’ve cooked your stuff from the previous week or not. Nevertheless, if it fits your life style, and you’re in a position to eat most of what gets delivered, it’s a great deal.
Farm shares sell out every year. Current shareholders get first preference, but every year a few open up. If you want to join the party, sign up for the farm’s email list here, to get notified when applications open up again (typically mid-October). You’ll want to sign up as soon as you can, to ensure your place for the following season.
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I have a share with the farm. If you can make time to visit the farm
once a week (you pick the day) it’s a more user friendly experience. All the produce is clearly labeled and the farm website even provides helpful recipes. Some stuff is unusual but it’s a good way to get out of a produce rut. I think you’re missing out if you don’t come there and pick your own as you get a lot of extra items
that way. It’s a great value and eating locally is just as important as eating
organically I believe.
There are individual and family shares. The family share is the 600 dollar one, the individual share to pick up at Pennington works out to just under 15 dollars a week.