Since I started eating better I am eating much more fresh fruits and veggies than ever before, and I have seen a huge change in the way I look and feel. But as I continue to educate myself about more responsible ways of eating (and shopping) I’m learning that trying to buy and eat organic isn’t always cheep! And that is a big reason why many people don’t do it. It’s simply easier to buy whatever is on sale with no concern for what’s local or what’s in season.

I really wanted to find a more effective and less expensive way for me to get fresh, local, and organic produce. So after doing some research I discovered local CSA’s. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

From localharvest.org:

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

Advantages for farmers:

• Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
• Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow
• Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow

Advantages for consumers:

• Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
• Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
• Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
• Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown

This sounded like a perfect solution to me (it also sounded like a great opportunity for social media). After doing some research I came across Golden Earthworm Organic Farm.

Of course I was smitten with their beautiful website (hosted on squarespace no less), they have a twitter account and they have a great CSA program. Unlike some other CSA’s I found, where your food may be coming from a few different farms, Golden Earthworm is one farm that would be providing all your produce. That allows you a much better connection to who is growing your food.

So here’s how it works. You pick a type of share (I would choose the Vegetable CSA Share which is certified organic) It’s a 26-week membership share (June – November). Produce is picked fresh from the fields, boxed up, and delivered to the pick-up location. This share contains 6 to 10 items each week, depending on the season and availability.

Here is an example the first share from last season:

1 bunch Baby Bok Choi
1 bunch Beets
1 bunch French Breakfast Radishes
1 bunch Rhubarb
1 bunch Japanese White Salad Turnips
1 bag Arugula -or- Spinach
2 heads of Lettuce or 1 head of Lettuce and 1 bag Salad Mix

You can see other examples of what you could expect to receive throughout the harvest here.

So I found a farm that I like, but now I will have to wait till June before I can start receiving produce from the harvest. I’ll keep you updated. You can find a local CSA near you through LocalHarvest.org

Are any of you a member of a CSA? Do you like it?