When it comes to Disney magic, we can never have enough. And thanks to a brand new series, uber fans can finally get a glimpse at how their favorite park attractions came to be.
Produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Brian Volk-Weiss, Being the Attraction takes viewers on a 10-episode journey through the creation of some of Disney’s most iconic rides. Want to see how the Haunted Mansion was filled with ghosts? Or how the castles became central to Disney parks? The new show tackles it all.
The 10 episodes will cover The Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, the Castles, the Disneyland Hotel, “it’s a small world,” Trains, Trams, Monorails and The Hall of Presidents.
Behind the Attraction debuts only on Disney+ on Jul. 21.
––Karly Wood
Feature photo: Courtesy of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
Filling your house with flowers doesn’t have to mean hitting the local grocery store or stealing perfect petals from the neighbor’s garden. You and your young gardeners can spend the summer days tiptoeing through dahlias, sunflowers and lavender, and picking gorgeous bouquets to decorate your home. Local U-pick flower farms offer families a dreamy way to spend time together. Read on to find out more.
Sunblossom Farm
You don't have to leave the city to enjoy a U-Pick experience. Located in the NE Cully Neighborhood of Portland, Sunblossom Farm is a sustainable, urban, bee friendly micro farm. Their flower gardens are cared for without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers and are grown in an urban setting designed to help support and provide a sanctuary for today’s struggling bee population. This unique farm is dedicated to providing local, seasonal, and sustainably raised flowers. Your young florists will find sunflowers, roses and more at this awesome spot. Drop-in cost is $20/per bucket. They provide everything you need to pick flowers, but ask that you bring your own container to take flowers home in.
Open Wed 6 p.m.-sunset, Sat 9 a.m.-1p.m. NE 50th ave, between Ainsworth and Holman 503-498-8638 Online: sunblossomfarm.com
Helvetia Lavender Farm
This Hillsboro favorite for Christmas trees goes purple in the summer with two varieties of lavender: English and Lavandin. Drop into the tea pavilion for a lunch of homemade quiche, salad and scones or just the tea and scones for $10. Check out the lavender festival on the first and second weekend in July where you can watch lavender wreath demonstrations, visits a kids' station and shop all things lavender! If you just want to pick some lavender to scent things at home, for $8 a bundle, the owners will give you a pair of scissors and a bucket and you spend your day wandering rows of flowers and picking some to take home. Note: U-Pick only takes place on weekends throughout July.
Dahlia fans, rejoice! Justy's has your favorites, ready to be picked. Since you're heading there, their produce market has it all from A to Z. From apples to zucchini and artichokes to zinnias, they aim to offer everything you need so your flower-picking and produce-shopping is done in one all-organic trip.
Looking for variety? This flower farm also carries a variety of flowers you can purchase and take some home. There are wildcats, show and tells and more. Filling your house with color is easy after a trip to this farm.
Mountainside Lavender Mountainside Lavender is a small family-run farm nestled in the hillside of Chehalem Mountain in the community of Scholls, Oregon. They offer over 2000 lavender plants representing more than 20 varieties of both French and English lavenders in several colors (white, pink and shades of purple). This gorgeous flower farm grows both Lavandins (a cross between Lavandula angusifolia and Lavandula latifolia) and French Lavender which is characterized by longer stems and high oil yields. In addition to U-pick, visitors can also purchase farm-made lavender products such as massage oil, sachets, neck and eye pillows, dried flowers, lip balm, and more all derived from the farm's plants.
Mountainside Lavender is now open for U-pick. Your family can pick your own bouquet for $6/bundle (approximately what you can fit your hand around, fingertip to fingertip), or 5 bouquets for $24. All u-pick supplies will be provided for you, but you’re welcome to bring your own clippers and basket! They are open daily through the end of July from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
The Pumpkin Patch This Sauvie Island pumpkin patch has so much more to offer before the fall. They provide your flower-cutting supplies and their flowers are priced at $5-10 per bouquet or $12 per bucket. Give them a call in August to find out what's blooming and save some time to shop the produce market and gift shop for... well, everything else you could possibly need.
16511 NW Gillihan Rd. Sauvie Island 503-621-3874 Online: thepumpkinpatch.com
Get all your favorite fruits and veggies (think sweet red peppers, corn on the cob, crisp apples and more), while supporting local farms in Southern California. Read on for our roundup of the best farm boxes available for pickup and delivery in Los Angeles.
Launched by a husband and wife at the beginning of the pandemic (literally 11 days after LA initiated it's "Safer at Home" order), Coldwater Farm Hub connects local farmers to the community by providing curated and pre-packed farm boxes. The family-run farms they support don't use pesticides or chemicals.
How it Works: Orders may be placed in advance and can be picked up from the family’s farm tent in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood every Sun. between 7 a.m.–10 a.m. In addition to Farm Boxes, they also offer fresh nuts, breads, cheese and more, which can be purchased a la carte.
Price: The Mini Farm Box cost $30 and includes 4-6 vegetables/fruits and 3 baskets of strawberries or a dozen eggs. The standard Farm Box costs $45 and include one dozen eggs, along with fruits and veggies.
Providing some of the freshest and most flavorful produce around, County Line Harvest runs its SoCal operations out of Thermal, California. Their CSA boxes are filled with a diverse array of certified organic, seasonal veggies that rotate weekly based on what’s available in the field.
How it Works: Customers can order directly through the County Line Harvest website and arrange to pick up their boxes curbside at County Line Harvest pop-ups around LA. You can also arrange for pickup or delivery through these local retailers.
Price: The Family CSA Box is $40 and includes a mix of salad and cooking greens, baby roots, culinary herbs, and a rotating lineup of specialty seasonal crops. The Original CSA Farm Box is $25 and includes 12 freshly hand-harvested selections.
Unlike other traditional CSA programs, Huarache Farms has launched CSA boxes with greater flexibility. Customers get to order items they want on the weeks they want them from a weekly menu available online. There is no minimum order amount, and offerings are based on what’s in season and current availability.
How it Works: You can order your custom CSA box every Tues. starting at 11:30 a.m. Deliveries are available for certain areas but customers can also pick up boxes at the Atwater Village Farmers’ Market on Sun. between 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Price: Items are priced individually. Delivery fees are free for all orders over $30, otherwise fees vary anywhere from $2–$5 depending on location.
In partnership with various farms in the area, LA-based Flamingo Estate offers choice selections of locally-grown organic seasonal fruits and vegetables. Enjoy a rotating selection of the week’s harvest, including heirloom lettuces, root vegetables and more. Along with the produce, you'll also get creative recipes (like smashed beets with herby ranch!) from the Chef at Flamingo Estate. But that's not all—don't miss out on the candles, facial mists, soaps and olive oils that also available for purchase from the famed estate.
How it Works: Orders need to be placed by 9 p.m. on Wed. for Fri. delivery. Delivery is every Fri. from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Price: Purchases start at $25 for a medium box that feeds up to 2 people for the week. The large box costs $40 and feeds a family of 5 for a week. Choose the Organic Orchard Box for $45 and you'll receive a rotating selection of the best fruit from Windrose Farms or try the Organic Artisanal Mushroom Box for $25 that includes approximately 1lbs of Blue Oyster (Pleurotus Ostreatus), Pink Oyster (Pleurotus Djamor), or other surprises depending on the season.
Good Life Organics delivers organic, high-quality produce to customers with weekly deliveries from local farmers. They also donate 5 percent back from every box to local participating schools.
How it Works: Depending on your needs, you can choose weekly or every-other-week boxes. The subscription includes 5-12 types of seasonal foods and varies week-to-week but you can catch a preview of what's coming via this link. Order by Wed. by 5 p.m. to make this week's selection. You can add on avocados, carrots, extra fruit and fresh herbs to your box. There are delivery and pick-up locations all around town.
Price: A Half Box includes 8-12 varieties of fruits and veggies for $29.50 while the Family Box costs $51.50 includes 12-19 varieties of the good-for-you produce. They also have specialty boxes including the Fruit Lovers for $51.50 and their Snack Size for $18.95 which is perfect for school lunches and you guessed it, snacks.
Farm Fresh to You partners with local farms and artisans to deliver the season’s best mix of 100% certified organic produce and specialty farm products right to your door. Each box comes with delish recipes, tips on keeping produce fresh and the option to customize your order online. There’s even an option to donate a box to a local food bank in need.
How it Works: Choose your style of box, make any changes or customize your selections, add-on hand-crafted jams, pasture-raised eggs and artisanal olive oil if you would like, and then order for delivery. You can change your subscription frequency, pausing weeks you don't need it or are away on vacation, or the size box you would like.
Price: The Mixed Fruit & Veggie Box is $27.50 up to $61 for 6-8 people; a traditional CSA Box is $35-$49 while their Snack Pack starts at $38 for 5 people.
It’s no doubt your family has visited Underwood Family Farms before or perhaps your kids have taken a field trip there. Not only is it an idyllic spot to escape from city life, it’s also a working farm that offers farm produce boxes for pick-up and delivery. Box contents change every two weeks but you can view what you'll be receiving on the Healthy Harvest Box page.
How it Works: Order online at least 48 hours in advance to reserve your CSA box.
Price:Healthy Harvest Boxes are $45 each and can be picked up at the Moorpark or Somis locations, or can be shipped directly to your home via FedEx.
The South Central Farmers’ Cooperative is a grassroots economic development of the South Central Farmers’ Health & Education Fund, committed to empowering local communities and giving community members access to high quality organic produce all from a single farm in Bakersfield.
How it Works: Choose from one time, monthly or yearly box subscriptions. Orders are available for home delivery on Sun. in the LA area or may be picked up at a various locations from Culver City to DTLA. Orders must be placed by 9 p.m. on Fri. to be fulfilled by the following Sun.
Price: The boxes are offered on a sliding scale meaning each item has two different prices. They encourage subscribers to purchase at the highest level they can afford to help sustain the farm. Full-size and mini CSA boxes are available with one-time Mini Boxes starting at $17 (or $19 if you can afford it).
Based out of Oxnard for over 50 years, Tamai Family Farms provides local and sustainable produce at affordable prices for everyone.
How it Works: Order your box at least 36 hours in advance and add-on a smorgasbord of fruits, veggies, and herbs. Delivery as well as pick-up options at various participating farmer's markets.
Price: A large Family Box is $25 and includes Swiss chard, kale, romaine, parsley, cauliflower, broccoli, and 3 pack of strawberries and goes up to $65 for Gloria’s Bag, which includes a bounty of fruits, veggies, and herbs packed in a reusable bag.
Think of it as a Schoolhouse Rock remix! A new show about rights and citizenship is coming to Netflix, packed with starpower and produced by the Obamas. We The People will fittingly premiere on July 4 and you can preview the trailer now.
The series will feature 10 animated videos that bring musicians and directors together to present civics lessons for the next generation. And it’s quite the list of talent: H.E.R., Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Lambert, Bebe Rexha, Brandy Carlile, Daveed Diggs, Janelle Monae and more! You’ll experience original compositions and songs as the soundtrack for the narrative.
Chris Nee, who formerly created Doc McStuffins and worked as an associate producer on Sesame Street, is the brainpower behind the new show. Barack and Michelle Obama are executive producers along with Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.
Your family can brush up on civil rights knowledge, courtesy of each three minute episode—and have a lot of fun along the way. Add this one to your watch list for the summer!
Getting kids involved in growing their own fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to also get them to EAT those fruits and vegetables! But convincing kids that gardening isn’t just a chore you’re forcing them to do is another challenge entirely. One of the key strategies you can use to get kids excited about growing their own produce is choosing ones that will capture their attention.
There are four criteria you can use to help your kids choose fruits and vegetables that get them excited:
1. Quick Reward: Focus on produce that grow fairly quickly and will be ready to pick sooner rather than later
2. Kid-Friendly Picking: Focus on food that kids can pick and eat right off the plant, without too much work
3. Yummy Flavor: Choose fruits and veggies that your kids actually like to eat, or might learn to enjoy without too much fuss
4. Unique or Unusual Appearances: Choose produce that look so freaky or funny your kids can’t help but be curious
Another key to choosing which plant to grow—let them be a part of it! The more ownership your child feels over the process of picking and planting produce, the more likely they are to get invested. This is where resisting the urge to correct them or steer their decisions is going to be key. Give them some guidelines about how much space they have, how many plants will fit, and how much money they are allowed to spend. If it helps, give them some choices based on our guidance by telling them a bit about their options.
Great Produce Choices for Kids:
Cucumbers: First, cucumber seeds are recognizable right away because they look exactly like, well, cucumber seeds. Your kid will get a kick out of the fact that they recognize these seeds from when they are eating cucumbers. In addition, cucumbers are one of the fastest seeds to sprout, and they come up with determination. I am always pleasantly surprised to plant cucumbers and come back to seedlings popping up within just a few days. And lastly, cucumbers are often a favorite in kids’ vegetable choices. Consider a small snacking variety that will be ready sooner, and allows your kids to simply pick them off the vine and eat them like apples. They’ll feel like they’re doing something sneaky!
Cherry Tomatoes: There is no better vegetable to grow for snacking right off the vine than cherry tomatoes. The fun thing about this veggie is that they come in way more varieties than you’ll see at a grocery store. And, if you buy a cherry tomato seedling it will be one of the first tomato plants to produce edible fruit. Try a fun sweet variety like Sungold, or go for something dramatic like black cherry. Allow kids to plan their own cherry tomato, choose a cage to support it, and—when ready—eat to their heart’s content without making them collect or save them.
Watermelon: A little bit harder to grow because they need more space, watermelon is still a fun option to try because it makes for a more dramatic result. For quicker satisfaction go for a mini watermelon variety that will be ready a bit sooner, and buy a nice healthy start so that they aren’t waiting for something to start from seed. For best results, look for something seedless or with minimal seeds so that kids aren’t frustrated with seedy flesh. For something a bit more fun and unusual, go for the cucamelon—a fruit that looks like a tiny watermelon and tastes like a cucumber with a hint of lime. They’re tiny bite-sized fruit that kids can pop in their mouths and enjoy while walking through the garden.
Yard Long Beans: In the category of fun and unusual nothing quite beats the yard-long green bean. They grow on vines that will crawl up a trellis and, when ready, can be up to 12 inches long. Cook them without cutting them so kids can eat them with their fingers and have a little playtime at the dinner table! For added fun, plant any type of green bean on a vertical bean tower—you can literally grow the walls of a fort for the kids to play in!
Decorative Gourds: Another fun one in the looks category are decorative gourds. Basically, like a little pumpkin or squash that has all sorts of bumps and warts, these gourds aren’t usually edible but they are a fun addition to the garden and can be used to decorate at Halloween or Thanksgiving. There are a ton of varieties, or mixed blends of seeds to add diversity to the results.
No matter what you grow, the important thing is to give your child a section of the garden, let them make some choices and gently guide them toward success. Remind them to water and weed when needed so that they don’t lose their veggies entirely, but try not to do it for them.
Carrie Williams Howe is the Executive Director of an educational non-profit by day, and parent, writer, and aspiring homesteader by night and weekend. She lives in Williston, VT with her husband, two young children, and a rambunctious border collie. Carrie writes about family, food, parenting, and homesteading.
Fresh air and fresh fruit. Does it get any better? Farmers Markets are a great way to get outdoors and fill your pantry while teaching your mini shoppers about where their food comes from. We searched the area for the best family-friendly farmers markets that are currently open and serving up farm-to-table delicacies in the DMV.
If you want your kids to have a side of kindness with their veggies, check out the Arcadia Mobile Farmers Market. The 28-foot green bus sells locally grown and sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat. There are a number of locations to choose from, like Oxon Run Park on alternating Fridays and Deanwood Rec. Center on alternating Saturdays. But we like the market at Bellevue Library (alternating Wednesdays) where you can pick up veggies and fruit with a side of books.
Head to this Loudoun County Farmers Market for an afternoon of fresh foods and live music. Every Saturday (year round) you can find everything from gluten free empanadas to farm raised oysters from the Rappahannock River to fresh cut flowers from Sweet Piedmont. EatLoco operates from two locations; the market at One Loudoun is just a walk away from dining, shops and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
When: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: One Loudoun, Atwater Dr., Ashburn, VA; Brambleton Farmers Market, Corner of Legacy & Olympia, Brambleton, VA Online:https://eatloco.org
Miniature history buffs will get a charge out of visiting the Old Town Farmer’s Market. Not only is it the oldest continuous market in the good ol’ U S of A, but our first President himself used to send produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. There are more than 70 vendors so each member of the family can have fun walking around the market and trying out different things such as having your picture painted by a local artist, grabbing some fresh Amish pastries or checking buying a bundle of gorgeous local flowers. Old, new or seasoned visitor, there really is something for everyone!
When: Sat., 7 a.m.-noon Where: Market Square, King St., Alexandria, VA Online:alexandriava.gov
Strawberries, fresh asparagus, onions, and custom cut beef, pork and chicken await families visiting Shlagel Farm – a taste of the country with a bit of a city market hiding in the barns. Little ones can get their bellies (and faces!) full of strawberries and then head into the market where fresh produce and meat await to be taken home and turned into delicious “farm to table” meals. You can even pick up fresh flowers while you're here. Don't want to leave the city? You can pre-order your produce for pick up at the following local markets: Del-Ray, Cheverly and Greenbelt.
Central Farm Market, with over 60 vendors, is known for outstanding prepared food. With three locations, we suggest heading to the Bethesda market for fresh produce and a picnic. Grab your snacks and head to the Caroline Freeland Urban Park for picnicking, located a short five-minute walk down the road. Just beyond are the restaurants and shops along Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues for when your littles get their second wind.
Quite possibly the best market in the area—the American Farmland Trust puts it in its top five medium-sized markets in the country—this market has it all: 50 vendors; local, seasonal events (check the website for current offerings; some programs have been suspended due to COVID), fresh produce and kid-friendly treats.
When: Sat., 8 a.m.-noon Where: 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA Online:fallschurchva.gov
South Mountain Creamery/Karen’s Kountry Store
South Mountain Creamery
Families on the hunt for a fun Farmer’s Market on a random weekday should head up to South Mountain Creamery stat. This place puts the farm in farmer’s market! City kids can check out baby calves (springtime), feed the cows, and even watch Mabel, Bella, Cora, and others being milked! Farm fresh produce, ice cream and other treats are available in Karen’s Kountry store so you can have fresh from the field veggies, direct from the dairy milk, ice cream treats and no-nagging little ones. Sounds like heaven on Earth to us.
Joining a farm share or community supported agriculture (CSA) may not solve all the world’s problems, but it’s a great place to start. A CSA box subscription service gives you a direct way to support small farms, buy fresh local produce and saves you time and money. Most importantly, it’s an easy way to teach your kiddos about the importance of eating healthy, nutrient-dense food. Getting started is simple, just choose the CSA box that best meets your needs from the farms below, and they’ll either deliver it to you or tell you where to pick it up! Here are 15 San Diego CSA farms that we think are the cream of the crop!
You may have heard of Yasukochi Family Farms. They've been around since 1927 so they are a tried and true San Diego staple! You can enjoy the fruits of this farm's labor via one of their beautiful and abundantly healthy CSA boxes, available with a subscription or a one-time box. Each box contains farm fresh produce grown using responsible farming methods. The majority is freshly picked and grown by Yasukochi Family Farms located in Oceanside. Boxes can be delivered weekly to your home or business and they contain 11-15 different seasonal produce items. You can add items including berries, sweet corn, eggs, seasonal fruits, honey and jam to your order.
Cost: From $25/box Time frame: Visit website to schedule a subscription or a one-time box option to determine your delivery date. Pick-up & Delivery: Available throughout San Diego
Turn over a new leaf. Make roasted eggplant dip from this CSA's farm fresh veggies. Farmer Bill Brammer is a pioneer in organic farming. He was talking organic before everyone else. Be Wise CSA boxes contain a variety of greens along with oranges or strawberries (or other seasonal fruit). You'll pay for several CSA boxes up-front which goes to support the farm.
Cost: $30/box Time Frame: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Pick-up: Locations throughout San Diego
20505 San Pasqual Rd. Escondido, CA 92025 760-746-6006 Online:bewiseranch.com
Good Neighbor Gardens (GNG) is making a difference in the community and you can be a part of it. In the last seven years the sharecrop has seen their vision of creating a community of neighbors sharing their resources to ensure that everyone has access to the healthiest, freshest food at an affordable price come to fruition (pun intended!). GNG farm yards and schools in San Diego to deliver organic, locally grown, pesticide-free produce through the CSA model. Everyone participating benefits. From beets, peppers and eggplant to herbs, flowers and melon, this CSA box offers variety for your crew. In each box expect a mix of 12 to 16 same-day harvested fruits and veggies. Even more, if you head to their website you can find cool recipes from raw and vegan pumpkin bliss balls to cucumber lime paletas.
Cost: $60/month Time Frame: bi-weekly delivery Pick-up & Delivery: To your door
While Carlsbad Strawberry Farm is one of our favorite places for u-pick strawberries, they now also offer bountiful produce boxes brimming with fresh-picked fruits and veggies. Each box contains a hearty variety which may include everything from cucumbers, bell peppers and broccoli, to blackberries, grapefruit and strawberries. For a small extra fee you can add on items such as avocados, salsas, strawberry jam, guacamole, a mixed flower bouquet and so much more.
Cost: From $25/box Time frame: Warehouse hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Pick-up & Delivery: Free delivery to Carlsbad residents, or curbside pick-up at their Carlsbad warehouse.
Guac this way and get this CSA box for your family with avocados (and citrus) year-round. Talk about farm-fresh: Stehly picks their certified organic fruits and vegetables early in the morning for delivery to you by the afternoon. An extra bonus is that Stehly has teamed up with San Diego schools and businesses to provide the freshest organic produce and donate to local schools. For each box that is delivered $5 goes back to that school! Orange you glad we let you know?
Mix-it up! This CSA box pools from several different local farms and offers a good balance of fruits and veggies. Vacuum packed eco-friendly boxes ensure freshness and include freshly harvested produce. All farmers use natural agents.
Cost: $30-$35/box; 10-week commitment Time Frame: Weekly Pick-up: A few spots throughout San Diego; plus delivery along route
Nopalito Farm & Hopyard recently rolled out their CSA fruit program. Even more, they overhauled the distribution of the fruit. They want to provide the community with healthy, nutritious produce in a safe, physical-contact-free way to ensure sustainability for the farm and health and safety for you. Operated by the Brownwood Family, this 8-acre certified organic farm located near Escondido produces hops, avocados, lemons and other fruits and vegetables, as well as serving San Diego county's brewing industry and several bars and restaurants. With a CSA bounty of kumquats, blood oranges, grapefruit and guava, there just might be a delicious home shaken-cocktail in your future!
Three pick-up locations: North Park, Point Loma/Ocean Beach and Valley Center.
Castlecrest Dr. Valley Center, CA 92082 760-651-2150 Online:nopalitofarm.com
Solidarity Farm/Food Shed
A local gem in Pauma Valley has a solid CSA box and you can add-in eggs, citrus, strawberry jam and local organic extra virgin olive oil. If you'd prefer a more traditional CSA delivery, try their Food Shed program, with home delivery in Central San Diego and Valley Center, that offers items like kale, strawberries, salad mix, radish and micro greens. There’s no commitment to try it out.
Their tagline is: "locally grown and delivered to your front door." What's better than that? This San Diego-grown, natural and organic produce garnered from a variety of farms comes with flexible options to suit your needs. You can build a box by selecting from several options of fruits and veggies that change based on availability and what's in season, or you can opt for the "farm box" that includes a variety of farm fresh produce selected for you. You even get choices in that category too––choosing between options like a "fresh produce snack box" and a "fruit and veggie farm box." Pick delivery frequency and you can add-on selections like mandarins, bananas, cheese and eggs, butter, baked goods, granola and much more. Need help figuring out what to do with all that gorgeous produce? Daily Harvest offers a menu planner based on the week's box.
Daily Harvest Express also offers fresh, pasture-raised meat from Sage Mountain Farm delivered. This beef is sold in shares to save on the cost and keep with sustainable farming techniques.
Cost: From $28/box Time frame: Available in 3 delivery interval options or as no subscription. Pick-up & Delivery: Free delivery locally with $30 box order.
Sage Mountain Farm is a family grown, regenerative, sustainable farm. Instead of supplying large retail chains like they did when they started out, they are passing savings directly to consumers by offering CSA boxes. Check out this video to see how the mutual commitment between the farm and the consumer in action. Looking for extra goodies to add in? If you want to round out your CSA box with items like honey and eggs, then give this CSA box a try. A small box contains 8-10 organically grown fruits, veggies and herbs and a large box has 8-12. With pick-up or delivery all over San Diego County and a choice of a small or large box with fruits and veggies, you have options.
Cost: From $34/box Time Frame: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Pick-up & Delivery: Locations throughout San Diego
You'll use everything from this deliciously curated CSA box. From carrots and artichokes, to spinach and raspberries, the selection changes with the seasons. Sustainably-grown, you'll find this produce has no GMOs, no waxes and no preservatives. Plus, there's only a month-to-month commitment and a smaller box if you choose. Delivery day is based on your location.
Cost: $15, $25 & $30/box Time Frame: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Pick-up: Locations throughout San Diego. Plus delivery in San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County.
2929 E. Mission Rd. Fallbrook, CA 92028 760-483-3276 Online:elisfarms.com
You’ll dig that this farm’s been around since the 1950s and welcomes your family to visit. Little farmers will be all ears at the seasonal farm events. This organic CSA box has a mix of fruits and veggies (expect juicy strawberries when in season). A nice touch is they provide recipes featuring the weekly selection of produce in their boxes via their website. Bonus: they have home delivery in North County. JR Organics celebrates the season with events like their upcoming Spring Harvest Dinner that you can attend. It's a family / community affair!
Cost: From $28.50/box Time Frame: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Pick-up: Locations throughout San Diego
31030 Rodriguez Rd. Escondido, CA 92026 760-453-4144 Online:jrorganicsfarm.com
Disney+ is set to debut an original animated series—and it’s a can’t-miss for Star Wars fans!
Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Bad Batch will stream beginning Tues., May 4, starting with a 70-minute premiere. After the initial launch you can catch a new episode on Disney+ every Friday.
Followers of the Star Wars franchise may remember the “Bad Batch” from The Clones Wars. The new series focuses this elite, experimental “batch” of clones, all of which have extraordinary abilities.
According to Disney+, this new Star Wars series is executive produced by Dave Filoni (The Mandalorian, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star WarsRebels), Brad Rau (Star WarsRebels, Star WarsResistance) and Jennifer Corbett (Star WarsResistance).
Even though you have to wait until May to watch the new streaming series on Disney+, you can catch a sneak preview trailer right now. For more info on the series as its debut gets closer, visit the Star Wars website here.
What makes this Transformers robot special? The programmable Optimus Prime isn’t the same type of robot-ish toy you’ve seen before. This robot is 11 years in the making! After more than a decade of research and development, Robosen Robotics created a version of Optimus Prime that’s straight out of a movie—minus the gigantic size.
The Collector’s Edition Optimus Prime automatically converts from a vehicle to a robot, has bipedal walking ability, a race function in vehicle form and is programmable. You can control the robot either by voice prompts or through a mobile app.
Sean Tang, Director of Robosen USA, said in a press release, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Hasbro and look forward to ushering in a new standard of robotics with the most advanced Transformers robots for consumers ever created.” Tang continued, “The team is working hard to deliver an amazing user experience for fans of this esteemed franchise and produce Transformers that will be a premium addition to their collection with its superior functionality.”
Pre-order the Transformers Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Programmable Advanced Robot-Collector’s Edition online at Hasbro Pulse for $699.
Your hungry little sidekick is known to belt out Old MacDonald during dinner. Hey, in terms of bringing farm to table, it’s a start. Take things a big step further by signing up for one of our favorite Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Some these programs will deliver a CSA box to your doorstep, too.
Benefits of a CSA Not all of us have the green space, or the thumb, to grow our own healthy harvest. That's where these food delivery services come in. CSAs connect their members straight to farmers, who offer a prime array of local, organic ingredients that are often plucked from the field just hours before you lay hands (and teeth) on them. Shares (which come in the form of boxed veggies, fruits and eggs) can be delivered to your door or picked up at a nearby location.
New to CSAs? Dip your toe into the CSA pond by trying a half share, which arrives every other week or contains a smaller amount of goods, depending on the farm. As a guideline, a full share typically feeds two people on a vegetarian diet or four people on a mixed diet.
The Chicago area has plenty of CSA options. As of press time, these favorites still had openings, but all CSAs tend to fill up faster than you can say "E-I-E-I-O."
Angelic Organics
Angelic Organics
One of the largest CSAs in the U.S. was one of Chicago’s first when it began in 1991. Two years later this farming community adopted a biodynamic philosophy — a holistic mindset that emphasizes the interrelationships of soil, plants and animals as a self-sustaining system. Founder Farmer John is the subject of the award-winning film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, which follows his personal journey through the farm debt crisis of the 1980s, which temporarily shut down operations, to the creation of Angelic Organics. Farmer John was inspired to create a CSA program because he believed it brought farming back to its roots, when farmers had a direct relationship with the people that ate the food.
Via the CSAware Platform, you can customize your shares or let Angelic Organics pick your shares.
Cost Customized shares are available as either 20 weekly or 10 bi-weekly (every other week), from early June through late October, at $40/box. You can also add a 10-week fruit share for an additional $50/box.
Extras Farmer John created Angelic Organics Learning Center as a way to help educate and mentor others with dreams of farming and provide fun learning experiences for the public. It offers day camps for kids where they help care for baby goats, tend to farm animals by brushing the horses or gathering eggs and learn about farming through fun games. Check the schedule for fun family days.
This is Chicago’s first and only USDA-certified organic, high-production urban farm. Farmers are motivated by their belief that organic agriculture can serve as a vehicle for job training, employment and community development, especially for those motivated to re-enter the workforce and rebuild their lives after incarceration, homelessness or substance dependence. Through these farms, they provide transitional employment, skills training and interpersonal development to their participants and are an invaluable resource to the local families they serve.
Pickup Green City Market, 1790 N. Clark St., Saturdays, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Logan Square, Logan Square Blvd between Milwaukee and Whipple, Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wood Street Urban Farm, 5814 S. Wood St., Thursdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Iman's Fresh Beats & Eats, 2744 W. 63rd St., Fridays, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Certified organic with a zero-carbon footprint, Tomato Mountain feeds Chicago via their home delivery subscription box filled with fresh produce grown at their farm in Brooklyn, WI. What you receive in your box varies by the season, and you can add various a la carte produce, dairy and pantry items sourced from local farmers to your weekly box. You'll receive a list of what to expect the weekend before your upcoming delivery.
Their year is 43 weeks long and they deliver weekly in the spring, summer and fall and bi-weekly in the winter.
Pickup They deliver! The day of the week you receive your box varies by the delivery zone in which you reside.
Cost There are several options for membership, including monthly, seasonal and annual. You can also vary the size of your box: solo, small, medium and large.
Fresh Picks' mission is to get nutrient-rich food grown in the local community into Chicago households. For them, their work isn't just about promoting the health of our bodies, it's about supporting the local community in creating new jobs and breathing new life into rural communities.
Family can choose what's best for them from a full selection of locally sourced fruit, vegetables, eggs, grass-fed meats and baked goods with zero stipulations in order size, money spent or frequency.
Pickup Your selections are mailed directly to your home.
Cost You manage the cost based on your family's needs and budget.
Patchwork has not updated their information for the 2021 season, so keep an eye on their website. Below is information from the 2020 CSA season for reference.
Patchwork Farms is a bit unique in the world of CSAs as they remediate vacant land in economically deprived and environmentally distressed neighborhoods on Chicago's south and west sides, providing space for outdoor gatherings, native pollinator habitat and food crops. This allows them to improve accessibility of healthy food for their neighbors. Along with their extensive variety of veggies, they produce eggs, medicinal herbs, preserved foods, honey, cut flowers, and a run a compost drop-off program.
Pickup Members pick up their veggies at the Humboldt Park plot (2825 W. Chicago Ave.) or The Plant (1400 W. 46th St.). Pickups are Sat., Thurs., or Wed., but you are asked to commit to one of those pickup days for the entire season.
Cost Their 50-member CSA runs on a sliding scale, with a suggested price range of $135-$225 for the 9-week spring season, May. 13-Jul. 8 and $320-$560 for the 16-week summer season, Jul. 15-Oct. 31. They also have an unlimited CSA option where members have unlimited access to produce from May-Thanksgiving, which runs $1,500.
The Urban Canopy is a local unified CSA, which means they partner with other family farms in order to provide you the most diverse box possible. Not only will you receive produce from their farm in Englewood, your box will include produce from other farms, beverages from their neighbor-brewers at The Plant, coffee from a neighboring roaster and breads from local bakers. You can also add pork, beef, chicken and extra eggs to your order.
Pickup Deliveries occur on Wednesdays and are available in zones that include Edgewater, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Loop, Portage Park, Rogers Park, Roscoe Village, Southwest and suburbs, West Side and Wicker Park.
Cost Distribution begins May 13 and you can select between 22 distributions for $1,056 or 11 distributions for $572.
