This week, feel the love with our first featured COUPLE, Darren and Dara.
Who are you?
I am Darren, who are you? I am Dara (yes, we have similar names).
What do you do?
Darren: I’m still clinging to ‘recent graduate’ as a title; I got my BA in Metropolitan Studies at NYU. I’ve got a job in the city, but my life in Brooklyn is what matters; I’m the Outreach Coordinator on the PLGCSA Board. I also serve on the Board of Directors for PLG Neighborhood Association (PLGNA). Recently, I started tutoring Hasidic people in Williamsburg as a freelance gig.
Dara: I’m about to begin work on my PhD in Sociology of the Body at the University of Kent in England. Until then, I will continue working at NYU School of Law, helping law students get jobs.
Where do you live?
We live on Sterling Street between Bedford and Washington in a beautiful apartment owned by members Carlos and Clare.
Where did you grow up?
Darren: I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, yes in the actual shrinking city.
Dara: I grew up in South Florida with strong ties to Philadelphia.
How long have you been a member?
Since the beginning! Darren moved to PLG the year it started and it just sort of happened. We were students at NYU and we got subsidized because we were legitimately broke; it was amazing to be able to benefit in that way, which is a big reason Darren is happy to serve on the Board and give back.
When you do your pickup where are you coming from?
Darren: Actually, Dara has done 99% of the picking up this year; she comes from work in the city. But she is moving to England in September, so I’ll have to pull it together!
Where are you going to?
Home home home!
What are you never without at pickup?
Openness and a desire to meet someone new in the CSA. Patience. Millions of bags.
What time is it usually?
5:40ish
Who cooks your veggies/fruits?
Darren: We cook together as much as possible. We used to be unable to be in the kitchen together because I am a little…territorial about the kitchen. But for the past year it has been great!
Who eats them?
Mostly we eat what we cook, but sometimes we’ll bring a surfeit of sometime to a friend’s house as long as they promise to feed us.
What do you think you use the most?
We made a vow to use it all this year and we are doing pretty well. I think we forget about the herbs a lot, but I discovered the magic of parsley this year. We definitely use all the precious garlic when it comes. I wake up in the middle of the night and eat ripe peaches.
What’s your favorite fruit or veggie score?
Darren: I love scapes; eggplants; hot peppers; and potatoes.
Dara: I love the scapes too and cucumbers and the stone fruit!
What’s the best part of the CSA?
Being a part of a dynamic and growing community based food system. Reaching out to folks in the neighborhood who don’t know about CSA and sharing information about why fresh food is so valuable and important. Knowing our food makes a difference.
Is there a fun fact about you that you would like to share?
Dara and I are both very proud that we finally have bikes we love. Come and ride with us!
If you were a fruit or veggie what would you be? Why?
Darren: I would be a bulb of garlic for sure, and I think I eat enough to qualify as 50% garlic. Mostly because, like garlic, my personality is dynamic, it can be sharp and spicy or sweet and mild. Its all about context and there is never (ok, rarely) too much!
Dara: Okay, I can’t top that.
