What is a CSA?
If you are not from a small town or farm, you likely have never heard of CSA. It stands for Community Supported Agriculture - which I know sounds really fancy. What it really is is a way for consumers to buy products directly from the farmer. It is good for both the consumer and the farmer because it cuts out the middle man and consumers know exactly where their produce is coming from. It is also, with many CSA's, a contract so the farmer knows he has a certain level of commitment from his customers. Typically the customer signs up and then receives a box of food once a week or once every other week for between $25-$40 a box. This is such an easy, no-brainer thing to do. You already spend this money on produce at the store right? Farmers markets are catching on to the trend and charging more. There is so much I could write about these CSA's, but what we really want to know is how we can get service where we live right?
In Washington, I just began service with one of the biggest CSA's around, Full Circle Farms. I was able to try out the service with a Groupon I bought the other week. I got this box for $17! (Usually $35)
Here are the contents:
| Celery, Organic - 1 each Deardorff Family Farms, Oxnard, California. details... |
| Rainbow Carrots, Organic - 1 bunch Boskovich Farms, Oxnard, California. details... |
| Broccolette, Organic - 1 bunch Earthbound Organics, San Juan Bautista, California. details... |
| Shallots, Organic - 0.5 pound Andersen Organics, Othello, Washington. details... |
| Green Beans, Organic - 0.75 bunch Mexico Growers, Mexico. details... |
| Cremini Mushrooms, Organic - 0.4 pound Champs Mushrooms, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. details... |
| Red Leaf Lettuce, Organic - 1 bunch Cal-Organics, Lamont, California. details... |
| Red Chard, Organic - 1 bunch Capay Organic, Capay, California. details... |
| Navel Oranges, Organic - 4 each Purity Organic Citrus, Thermal, California. details... |
| Minneola Tangelos, Organic - 4 each Twin Girls Farm, San Francisco, California. details... |
| Red D'Anjou Pears, Organic - 3 each Blue Bird Inc., Peshastin, Washington. details... |
| Gala Apples, Organic - 3 each Earth Conscious Organics, Brewster, Washington. details... |
Now - you will notice it lists different locations for each group. Most CSA's have ingredients from one farm, only available in the summer growing season. My CSA operates year round, so they have deals with other farms to buy produce from them. I don't mind because it is still fairly local, and full circle lets you swap items in your box ahead of time online if you don't want something from a particular grower.
How can you help support local agriculture and get a box of food delivered fresh to your doorstep? I would start by googling Community Supported Agriculture and your city. There is also this great website I found called Ecovian. It is an online city green guide where you can find green CSA's, Grocers, and Restaurants to name a few.
What's also great about this CSA - less thinking at the grocery store! I can be creative by googling or making up recipes just based on what comes in the box. It also gives me the opportunity to try new foods. For example, tonight we will be trying Swiss Red Chard for the first time! Time to look up some recipes...
When are you going to post more?!?!
ReplyDeleteI will post more this week!
ReplyDeleteP.S if anyone in Seattle wants to try Full Circle, you can get $15 off a box with promo code EATWELL at www.fullcirclefarm.com. Also please mention my name, Michelle Grimm, as how you heard of them so I can get credit too!
have you started receiving your bounty? I'd be interested in reading what you receive, week to week, and what you do with it.
ReplyDeleteGood idea Le! We just switched to every other week actually due to cost - this CSA just raised their prices. I might switch to another when the farm season is in full swing. We'll see if I can be diligent enough to keep you updated!
ReplyDelete