Bryan and I are joining a CSA this summer. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for us to buy produce through a local farmer. By making a financial commitment to the farm, we become members or shareholders, and receive a bi-weekly basket (or share) of produce.The photo above is one share. We decided to try it this year and become half members. We will receive a basket every other week for 18 weeks starting June 20th to October 17th. Full members receive a share every week. Each basket will vary based on what is being harvested, but typically consists of leafy greens, hearty greens, root crops, and onions. To this, additional items will be added based on the time of year and what is available.
This will cost us a total of $300 for the summer. Yikes, that is steep. But when we thought about it, this should give us plenty of veggies this summer and we will probably spend that much for veggies anyway. I like to look at it as paying for our summer veggies up front. (Doing the math, it's only $16.67 per week - we would wreck that figure buying vegetables on any other given week anyway.) Every other week we will pick up our share of veggies from the local farm which is just a few miles away in the wonderful Cuyahoga Valley. I just love Akron!
We became aware of CSA's last year from one of the films we watched at the Cleveland International Film Festival (coincidentally, this year's film festival starts next month - can't wait - stay tuned). I was aware Cleveland had CSA programs, but didn't know of any in the Akron area. In some CSA's you donate your time to help out on the farm, or you do this in lieu of payment. I couldn't see myself working on a farm, so I just figured CSA's weren't for us.
The other day I was reading an article on CSA's in the Vegetarian Times magazine. It was on how to find a good CSA. It was full of great tips and questions to ask. Ironically enough, when Bryan and I were at the winter farmer's market this past Saturday morning we came across Basket of Life Farm. We spoke to the farmer and were convinced we had to try this whole CSA concept. Not only will we know where are produce is coming from, we will have a relationship with the local farmer, support the local farmer, and eat healthy. They are only accepting 58 families this year and had 15 spots left.
What a wonderful concept - I am so excited for this and hope it turns into a positive experience. I like the idea of receiving random veggies. I'm sure we will receive some veggies we have never had nor heard of. I can't wait!
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4 comments:
That's awesome that your CSA half-share is for every-other-week! I've actually never heard of any CSA doing that and I think it's a great idea! My CSA has a half-share, but it's still weekly, and you have to pick either Spring or Fall, so I did a full share. Luckily, I probably eat more vegetables than the average person anyway, and I go through a lot of veggie stock, too, so I can just make a bunch of it. :)
Actually if u add it up, thats not that bad. We are paying nearly $1 each for cukes, and we use a lot of those and tomatoes and greens for salad. Tomatoes have gone sky hi due to the freeze we had and its not gonna get better.I am gonna look into one locally. good deal ..mom
That's awesome! I've never even heard of that before - bet it pays for itself much sooner than you think :)
Hooray!!!
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