Over the last few years, I’ve been slowly making a change in the way I shop for food and the food choices I make at the grocery store. It’s been pretty easy as both of my kids have inspired palettes and will try different things. They love fresh fruits and many vegetables.
I’ve been buying more organic when I can, and trying to have more fresh veggies and fruits available in the house. Still, buying organic at the grocery store isn’t cheap so I sometimes will go back and forth and mix it up.
Then the last few weeks, I’ve been contemplating signing up for a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture program. For those unfamiliar, you can join a local CSA in your area. You are buying from a local farmer and supporting a local business, and the foods are fresher and often organic.
Starting in May, once a week I’ll be going to my local delivery spot (about a mile from my house) to pick up my “share” of vegetables and fruits. I’ll have 25 weeks of vegetables and 20 weeks of fruits. I’m excited for the fresh food and I’m excited to get some foods that I wouldn’t normally buy — hopefully encouraging me to try cooking something beyond my normal realm of cooking.
Here’s the CSA I went with: Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. I’d like to say I shopped around but I didn’t. Everything on the site sounded great – its organic produce that’s coming from less than 45 minutes away to a spot that’s close to my house. So Yay Me! I’ll be sure to report how it’s going once everything’s in full swing.
Wonderful idea and so healthy. always love your creativity in descriptions too-the boys enjoying an ‘inspired palette’. . the play on words for an inspired palette of colorful fruits and vegetables to please the artist’s palate- a great visual. can’t wait to hear about any new kinds of fruits or vegetables you may discover-last summer, had my first taste of jicama!- a sweet root vegetable , looks sort of like a turnip- was served on a platter with other cut veggie strips to use with a dip- little bland but still tasty with a dip. -a ps. Bet you find you save $$ as well buying fresh local produce!
I love being a part of a CSA! Its so exciting to pick up the new batch of produce!
Just a hint- whenever I have left over veggies or fruits that I don’t know what to do with, I juice them in my juicer (usually with and apple or beet because those are my favorites things to juice) to make sure they don’t go to waste. However, usually the most exciting part is learning new recipes and ways to prepare the delicious whole foods!
Also, many farmers hand out recipes with some of their produce. I learned a great beet-greens recipe and all these years I’ve thrown the beet greens away!!
Very cool.
Em – great tip on the juicer, thanks! I wouldn’t have thought to do that but I use my blender now and again to make smoothies and the occasional green juice so I’d totally do that.
Yah I’m most psyched about the idea of having different produce I wouldn’t normally get so I can try out new recipes.
Hey Whit. I joined this one too. My neighbor and I are sharing a full-share. I am so excited as well. She did it last year and I can give you some extra details if you want! Talk to you tomorrow!
Stef, no way, that’s too funny. Would love to hear what you have to say! I’ve been thinking about it for awhile – think Z had sent me this link. I looked at a few others but this one was close (aka convenient, you know me!) Plus a bunch of my Philly Social Media Moms do them and it just seemed like the right thing to do for the fam.
Hey Whit, We did this CSA in 2008 and 2009 — we didn’t last year because in 2009 (if you remember, it was a crappy summer) we were flooded with greens, greens, and more greens. I think Ryan was going to kill me if I served kale one more time. And then after last year’s hot summer, I had wished we’d done it in 2010. We’re contemplating going back this year. One thing is that it challenges you to find recipes for stuff you’d not normally buy/ eat. Another is that LFFC has a wonderful program that you can buy cheese, bread, etc. through, with the same farmers– that part is fantastic, too. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it… I definitely enjoyed some fantastic fruit through it!
I have been on the waiting list for our local CSA for over 2 years! I can’t believe you got in so easily! Can’t wait to hear how it goes this summer. I hope I get to try mine out soon!