Today's 'catch'
Starting May 2011 I joined a CSA (community supported agriculture)*. I pay 800$ for 25 weeks (or $32 a week) for organic, local, fresh veggies, fruit, jams, and protein. Not a bad deal huh? Well, I've decided that everyone needs to join a CSA (or grow your own garden) and here's why:
1. It's good for you (and your girlish figure)
More veggies = less calories. Ever wondered how to include more vegetables in your diet: BUY THEM. The U.S. dept of Agriculture says AT LEAST half our plate should be veggies and fruit (I would say half should be veggies and a quarter should be fruit). Now, do I eat like this
everyday? No...but by joining my CSA it has helped. On a 'girlish figure' note: I've lost 7 lbs since I joined. (yay).
2. It's "green"
Not only are you eating more greens, but you're being "green" too. Since it's local you're not adding to your carbon foot print. Good for you, good for the planet. Less pesticides, no thining Bald Eagle eggs, etc...
3. I know my farmers
...and they are nice. I get to put my money back into my local community. It makes me so happy to say that! My two year old comes with me to pick up the food and we get to talk to the people who grow our food (and we got to shake their hands). We are planning a trip to the farm itself so we can see where our food comes from. We know the people and they know us. It's quite a change from the large conglomerate food market; albeit a good one.
4. It's actually organic
My friend put it best, "you can have cows looking onto pastures and that's considered 'organic' these days". Who knows what is really put on our produce. I am very wary of the "organic" section nowadays. I could almost eat the produce right from the basket-I don't-but at least I know I'm not putting inorganic hormones, pesticides, or toxic chemicals into my body with every bite. Nor are my farmers being exposed to it (don't you feel sorry for the people that use work with pesticides? I do). I think we can all drink to that.
5. Eat less and enjoy more:
You're eating the creme da la creme produce-it ain't cheap so you make it last and you enjoy every bite!
6. Expand your horizons (or you fridge shelf)
What you see is what you get. You have a box of food and you get explore some new recipes. I just got some kohlrabi and "amethyst basil jelly". Did I know what they were before: No. Do I know what they are now: Yes. Your kids will thank you.
7. It saves TIME
I no longer make a list, go the store, look at sales, yadda yadda. I go one day a week (20 min. round trip) and pick up a basket. The farm does it all for me. When I get home I go through all my fun weekly veggies and throw them into a stir fry, burgers, fajitas, or whatever. It's fun and I only go to the grocery store one time a week to pick up other staples. Before, with fresh veggies/fruits and I needed to go 3x a week because they'd go bad so quickly.
8. You CAN afford it!
It's the same price if not cheaper than your current food bill. Sounds weird, but it's true. I pay $32 a week plus anywhere from $50-80 for a family of three (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). That's a total of $112 a week or $448. Out of your budget? Think about your current bill and what you're getting for that amount. Is it worth it? It's so important to include those veggies and fruits I recommend you find a way to cut back in one area to make room for a CSA (or home garden).
9. And if I didn't get you with the previous this'll surely get you: All the cool people are doing it
Totally legitimate, isn't it? Better get on the bandwagon now, because all the cool people are doing and pretty soon, it won't be cool anymore.
Are you asking yourself: What do I do now?
If you want to start a garden go online and I'm sure Google will direct you to where you need to go. Otherwise look at my resources just below this sentence and find a CSA near you. Last helpful hint: find a CSA that carries food you'll actually eat and create your menu based on your weekly basket.
More resources:
Find a CSA near you at Local Harvest
Interested in what it's all about? Check out the Slow Food Movement. By c
licking here
For the US Dept of Agriculture (totally biased in my biased opinion)
click here
Hopefully I'll be posting some new websites as I come across them. If you have any great sites, please share the love : )
In His love and light,
-Amy
* CSA members, also referred to as shareholders, pay a set price to receive shares from the farm’s bounty for the entire growing season, typically 20 to 25 weeks, depending on the farm.
(source: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/KnowYourFarmer/GetLocal.pdf)
