Want to support local (and often family) farms? Want to eat healthy? Think about joining a CSA. [View all]

[Le Taz Hot]

I often hear people decry the loss of the local family farms to big agra. Well, if you're serious about doing something about that I have a possible solution for you AND your local farms: CSAs. CSA stands for Community-Supported Agriculture. Here's the rundown:

A farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables and/or fruits, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a subscription and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

I signed up with a local family farm that is certified organic. A few days before delivery, I e-mail in my order. The produce is delivered to a central location (some of them will deliver them straight to your house). The box contains fresh, ripe, LOCAL, organic veggies and fruits. When I pick up my produce, I hand in last-week's empty box which gets used again and again. So, the food has traveled less than 15 miles, I've used no plastic bags, I've used no more gas going to pick up my box than I use going to the grocery store, I'm supporting a LOCAL organic farmer and I get good, LOCALLY-GROWN produce. I'm eating healthy and being environmentally responsible all at the same time. AND, the farmer has a guaranteed stream of steady income. If you're interested, you can go to the website below, enter in your zip code and find CSA's in your area. If you're serious about wanting to save local farms, this is one way you can do it.


http://www.localharvest.org/