ENRIGHT CSA SPOTLIGHT

Michael Frazier,
Packout Team Leader

We’re going to “spotlight” a few of the Enright CSA folks who get things done—farmers, team leaders, and other people who go above and beyond to bring you all that great produce every week. CSA member Michael Waddell is our intrepid reporter, and his first Spotlight catches Packout Team Leader Michael Frazier.
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For those who might not know him, Michael Frazier is our packout team leader. If you see him, say hi! He’s friendly, and an all-around cool guy. I interviewed him to find out more about who is he and why he helps with the CSA.

CSA: What is the packout team, and what does a packout team leader do?
MF: The packout team is responsible for taking each week’s harvest and preparing it for Saturday’s pickup. That can often include rinsing the produce, counting or weighing it, dividing it, and labeling and “staging” it. Volunteers on the packout team also make themselves available to greet members and assist them with picking up their share, should they have any questions or need any help. When arrangements have been made ahead of time (by emailing packout@enright-csa.org), packout team volunteers will also pack shares for members unable to make it to Saturday’s pickup, and put it in the cooler to be picked up later. Finally, after Saturday’s pickup is over, packout team volunteers clean up the greenhouse in preparation for the next week’s pickup.

CSA: ERUEV’s CSA was formed in 2009, and has grown since then. Are you happy with the growth you’ve seen in the CSA project? What changes have excited you the most?
MF: It’s been exciting to see the CSA grow and add members each year. There is a real excitement around this project and it’s been great seeing all the new faces. I am very excited about the fruit and nut trees!

CSA: What are some directions you would like to see the CSA take in the future?
MF: When I think about all the work that goes into this project, sometimes it seems like a small miracle that it all gets done, and yet, it always does. This is still a very young project and we’ve made some seriously huge strides. I’m looking forward to seeing the ways in which we can become more efficient and manage volunteer hours better so that some of the administrative duties don’t fall to so few people.

CSA: What has been your favorite produce you received from the CSA so far? And what (if anything) have you made with the produce from the CSA?
MF: Kohlrabi. I found that I really liked it, and prefer to eat it raw!

CSA: Many CSAs only require a monetary payment, but ours has a workshare component as well. What do you think this adds to the experience?
MF: Working for the CSA gives tremendous insight into what goes into growing our food. For me, it also gives a sense of investment that not only makes my share seem more valuable, but makes it taste that much better!

CSA: Have you lately read any good books, or watched any good documentaries, on CSAs or farming issues?
MF: Like many of us, I would assume, I was deeply moved by reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Fresh, a documentary film wherein urban farming activist Will Allen and Joel Salatin discuss how corporate America threatens our food economy, was very powerful. I’ve also enjoyed documentary films The Future of Food, King Corn, Forks Over Knives, Super Size Me, and Food, Inc., which all have to do with food production and the American diet in one way or another.

CSA: Most Americans buy just a few varieties of fresh produce, and are hesitant to use vegetables or fruits that they are not familiar with. That’s a shame, since a variety of fresh ingredients can be one of the most important components of a healthy diet. What are some good ways that a person can learn about different food items and ways they can be used?
MF: Google! Whenever I have something in my share I don’t know what to do with, I go to the web and look for ideas and recipes. We’ve also got a few good cookbooks that are specifcally for CSAs which show what to do with vegetables that are currently in season. The CSA blog and newsletters are also great resources.

CSA: What changes do you hope to see in the world in your lifetime, related to farming and the food supply? When your daughter is an old woman, what do you hope will be different about the way we produce and consume food?
MF: For myself, the reliance on processed and “fast” foods have resulted in excess weight problems that have plagued me my whole life. My hope is that growing knowledge of, exposure to and availability of locally-grown whole foods will help her avoid those problems, while strengthening and growing her local producers and economies.
—Michael Waddell