Spring is here, which means it’s time to sign-up for a CSA! CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and when you sign-up to become a member of one you are paying your local farmer for a share of the farm. It is the best of all worlds. Your money goes straight to the people growing your food, you eat locally grown and in-season foods, and you’ll eat tons more vegetables than you ever thought possible! It usually works something like this: You pay upfront for the whole season so the farmer has the money he needs to grow your food. Then once a week you’ll either go out to the farm to pick up your “share,” or you’ll pick it up at a designated drop-off location in your city. Week after week we are amazed at the bountiful veggies in our share, and we look forward to using new recipes and getting creative with some things we’ve never even heard of! It really adds variety to your meals, and takes the guesswork out of grocery shopping. Ever had one of those moments when you’re standing in the produce section of the supermarket thinking, “I know we need to eat more vegetables, but what should I buy?” Never again. Visiting the farm is a great field trip for city dwellers, and I believe it’s really important to teach our children where their food comes from. In fact, studies show that when children are involved in the process of growing vegetables, they eat more!
Feeding a baby Goat on our recent visit to Green Gate Farms
There’s something special about being able to thank the people who plant, care for, and harvest the food you put in your body. This is in stark contrast to conventionally grown supermarket food that has been flown in from thousands of miles away and been touched by countless hands and machinery. Also, when you break down the cost of everything you receive in your box each week, you’ll discover that belonging to a CSA is less expensive than shopping at the store.
Ready to find one in your area? Here is a database of CSA’s around the country. Visit www.localharvest.org for more information.