CSA

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.   A CSA is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA.

Find a local CSA by subscribing to a local farm - enter your zip code at this site and sign up for regular deliveries of seasonal produce. 

There's one in my area.  I'm on the waiting list.  How about you?

Comments

[jen]

I share a share with a friend and love it in a way that words can't really express. It starts up again in a few weeks and I'm all a quiver in anticipation. The organic produce we get is fantastic and really forces us to eat more healthily. I cannot recommend a CSA more; I have NEVER regretting joining. Mmmm...only a few more weeks til garlic scapes! : )

[Monica J Tomasello]

I have been thinking about doing this. Your comment prompted me to check it out. I found a local provider and emailed them. I'm hoping to get a positive response. Thanks:)

[Nick]

Great stuff.

In terms of developing great abs without the usual boring routines, fad diets and useless junk that uou see on those late night commericals, you might be interested in checking out the ton of free info on this website:

http://secretsixpackabs.com

There's lots of advice for getting a sexy six pack, plus some honest reviews, competitions and a whole bunch of other cool stuff!

http://secretsixpackabs.com

[Catherine]

We joined a combined CSA (several farms providing produce instead of one) over a month ago. We expect our first delivery in about two weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

[Cathy]

While the nearest ones are about 20 minutes - 35 minutes away, I think I am going to try and visit our farmer's market more often this year. Okay, I think I'll actually go to it at least once...my neighbor always goes and gets tons of plants there...there's bound to be some good produce!

[Becky]

I love our CSA. This will be our 2nd year. It starts in mid to late June and we get big boxes with a huge variety of the freshest yummiest fruit and veggies into early October! The one thing we really learned after the first year is to clean out our freezer before the season starts - eat up everything you can. Freeze anything that you don't think you can eat that week and enjoy yummy veggies well into the winter. Or give any extras to friends - they will love it. We served only CSA veggies (winter squash and green beans that we froze) for Christmas dinner!

[Monica]

I live in Seattle, where CSA is taken to the nth degree -- they're everywhere! It's great. We were members for quite a while of a couple of different ones, depending on whether we needed delivery or could pick up...We're not now, but it's mainly because I'm moving to an area where there will be a weekly farmer's market within a mile or so of my home, and I go through phases of needing more control of what I get and not caring so much. There are tons of places that you can do u-pick flowers, veggies, berries, etc., around here, too. We're very spoiled. :)

[Ashlee]

Mmmmmm! CSAs are awesome!! Ours starts in mid-June and we can't wait. There is always an awesome variety of things and our farmers even send along recipes for the things that folks aren't as used to incorporating into their diets.

I hope you get to join!

[ashley]

YOU MADE MY DAY!!! I'm soooo excited to see you post about CSAs - they're so great for the environment (and our tummies!)

Unfortunately, I have moved around too much to belong to one yet, so I'm sticking to the farmer's market for now. Maybe I'll settle down sometime soon..

[lc]

Wah! nothing near me! (and Nick, it's not nice to spam the Mom to the Screaming Masses. shame!)

[Megan]

There are a bunch in my area, but I'm concerned that as the sole diner in my apartment most nights, I wouldn't be able to keep up with even a half share. I do buy local fruits, veggies and meat whenever they're available, though. Can't wait for more of those fuji apples this fall...

[Judy Ritsema, BHC]

I belonged to one in my area for a while, but she had too many other obligations with family and her farm.
There is another group who does gardens, but it is not called CSA. I plan on starting one myself. I approached a local church/college, because they were or are going to start one. They were already obligated to the city.
I would suggest a church or other such organization. They often times have open land or can form a memberships so you have a good starting point. Also, anyone who has a weight or nutrition group, would be a great resource, as well. It definitely has to be a group effort. I will let you know if and when I get one off the ground this year. As a Certified Health Coach, I am all for healthy lifestyle at a reasonable cost. Thanks for letting me comment.
Judy, BHC

[Heather]

I joined our CSA two years ago - we're entering our third summer season, and yesterday I picked up the last of the winter season share. Part of the reason I joined was an interest in finding new veggies to eat - my husband is a vegetarian and we were getting bored with our food options. Not only has the CSA introduced me to organic, urban farming with delicious heirloom varieties, it has made me much more aware of the sad state of farming in this country.

[Reinueanaxalo]

The good resource should be brought in bookmarks