February 13th, 2008

Local, Fresh Foods: CSAs

Posted by Monica Schenk

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Buying shares in a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm is an ideal way to obtain local, organic produce. CSA initiatives give consumers the opportunity to buy advance shares in neighboring farm harvests, which help secure the availability of local food by giving money directly to, often struggling, family farmers. Community Supported Agriculture builds environmentally sustainable communities by decreasing our dependence on foreign foods that require an excess of fuel and energy to reach out tables.

CSA share-holders enjoy the convenience of having fresh, seasonal and local food delivered to their doorsteps or boxed and ready at nearby pick-up locations. Memberships allow busy environmentalist to make shorter and less frequent trips to the market, while putting buyers in touch with their regions seasonal bounty and connect with the natural environment through food.  The CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 1000.  To find a CSA near you, visit the wonderful site LocalHarvest.org.

There is another wonderful resource we want to make sure you know about to maximize your enjoyment of fresh, local foods. The Natural Resource Defense Council’s produces an excellent guide called What’s Fresh Near You.  You simply put in your state and season, and they give you a whole list of what foods are in season in your area. Then you can plan your recipes to include local, fresh foods. And now you foodies can plan meals with local foods well in advance.  Bon appetite!