RIPE Altadena is a group of local gardeners who grow fruits and vegetables -- sometimes a whole lot of fruits and vegetables -- in their own backyard. Or front yard. Or wherever. One member of the group grows his produce on the experimental farm at the Huntington Gardens.
The members get together periodically and swap. Not on a one-to-one basis; it's more generous than that. People just lay out their produce on the table, and everyone walks around with a bag or a basket and picks up what they need. If you arrived drowning in lettuce, you might leave with citrus, garlic, and herbs, even granola. And if your crops didn't do so well this month, you just might end up taking home more than you brought. It's that kind of group.
If you're interested in joining, click on the RIPE Altadena link. The website will walk you through it.
