First Produce Box of the Season

It's finally here.

After months of waiting, stumbling through lifeless produce at Stop & Shop, attempting to utilize Boston Organics as a suitable replacement, FINALLY The Food Project weekly vegetable boxes are back.

OK, Stop & Shop isn't awful, and Boston Organics is indeed an admirable delivery service, but neither creates the excitement that a simple box of Food Project produce does.

It's more than just the produce, which is always excellent.

It's knowing that their organization is socially conscious, creates leadership programs for youth, feeds the hungry, and builds a sustainable local food system.

But of course, it's knowing that these vegetables were harvested hours before I picked them up.

Yesterday was my first of about 22 weekly drives to Jamaica Plain to retrieve my weekly box.

As I parked and walked over to the pickup site with great anticipation, I wondered what presents would be inside this week's box. Usually the first couple of boxes are not as full, and the quantity of produce mounts as the growing season progresses.

This week's box had radishes the size of plums. I couldn't help but cut into one immediately upon coming home. It tasted amazingly peppery, firm, and crunchy!