In a quest to become more active in our community and have an increased awareness of where our food comes from, earlier this year Mony and I decided to join a CSA. This how that conversation went (back in February):D: Mony, what do you think about joining a CSA?
M: Okay.
There were no questions, no hesitation, just a straight okay (oh, what a tough life I lead). I still don't think he really knows what it is. So for him and for everyone else, let me explain what a CSA is.
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, you join into a partnership between yourself and a farm and share the benefits (or losses) of a harvest. You support the farm by giving them funds in advance when they need it most; during their planting season to cover costs. In return, from the months of July to November, you receive a (free) weekly farm share (the above picture is this week's loot). The farm that we decided to join a CSA program with is Fort Senneville Farm. It is a farm that has been around for 15 years harvesting beautiful, organic fruits and vegetables. It is a family-owned farm (this is how I met my farmer friend), on land that has been owned by the same family for over 100 years.
This weeks CSA basket had the following items:* Swiss Chard
* Purple curly lettuce
* Radishes
* Green Onions
* Kohlrabi
* Broccoli
* Purple cabbage
* Arugula
* Garlic scapes
* Raspberries
* Basil / Coriander
In this day and age when we are all trying to do better, be better - this is a good way to support your community and know where your food comes from. The vegetables are organic, fresh, and overall just taste better. Plus it is convenient and I love the mystery of not knowing what we will receive week after week. Some vegetables we have never even heard of...those will be the most fun. The cost works out to be around $15 a week, which is very reasonable for the quantity and quality that you get, not to mention the satisfaction you have knowing that you are doing something good for yourself and for someone else - this is the next best thing to owning your own garden.
9 comments:
totally awesome idea guys! didn't know u were involved with that! The cost seems very reasonable, considering what u r getting - I think the produce u receive would be worth well over that, even if u bought it at a local fruit market!
Wow! How do I get started...amazing!
AG
I love this idea. How did I not know about this before?
If you go to this link:
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
you can locate a CSA farm near you and see how much it costs. If interested you would need to sign up for it before the 2008 season starts...you won't be able to sign up now for this summer since the point is to pay in advance (usually in February) to help them with their costs.
I'll be posting ever Wednesday on what we got in our CSA basket.
This is very interesting, I never knew this. Do they deliver the basket to you?
Some farms deliver but we pick ours up on the way home on Wednesdays (it is close to us).
Can I move in with you guys? Seriously, why is your life so fabulous?
I can't figure out how to look for a CSA farm in Canada on that link...
Quebecs should use equiterre's website(www.equiterre.org) or just google CSA and your town and see if any farms come up.
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