The Return of the CSA

What is the purpose of a CSA? 

Simply put, to join a CSA, a person commits to a one time payment to the farmer to ensure they will receive weekly or biweekly shares of produce. This produce is not chosen by the consumer, but rather based solely on what is growing and ready to be harvested at the farm. This means the consumer will be eating what is in season and what the Earth and weather has chosen to let thrive. The consumer commits to the adventure and risks of the growing season. After tasting vegetables in peak season, you will soon find it is a very satisfying, exciting, and optimally nutritious experience.

This model of distributing vegetables leads to better financial security for a diversified vegetable farmer, less food waste, and allows for healthy balance in the fields, while also connecting the eater to the farmer. If you are not familiar with the CSA model, it can be a bit intimidating to commit to paying for all your spring, summer, and fall vegetables in one single deposit. However, the average cost of a weekly share comes to $30 for naturally grown, pesticide free, local food.

Getting into the mindset of how to use a CSA can be challenging at first. It requires a lesson in adaptiveness and curiosity. The model encourages and gives you a nudge to eat what is growing at that particular time. It may challenge you at first to resist the urge to rush to the store for that one ingredient you are craving, like having to wait for your tomatoes. But in time, you will let yourself ease into the circle of seasons. Allow yourself to become present in the spring with your greens, and truly delight when you enjoy your first BLT of late summer. We’ll be here to encourage and guide in the preservation bulk produce, and explore new recipes.