I was so incredibly excited for June 2nd to arrive.  It was the first day to pick up my share of the CSA I bought into for this season.  Most of you are probably thinking “What is that?”   CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  Check out Local Harvest’s details of what is involved in a typical CSA and to find a local farm near you. They have a fantastic description of CSAs. http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Michael Scheidel from Little Peace Farm chatting with a customer

Beautiful Bunching Onions and Radishes

Kale and Swiss Chard

Herbs and Eight Ball Zucchini

Farmer Mike

Lots of wonderful lettuce and Ari hiding in the background.

I was introduced to CSA back in 2007 when my boss and I began working on plans to open a health food store.   We were looking for local sources of produce and came across this little farm that grew produce by organic methods.  Starting in 2008, I purchased my first half share from this farm.  I didn’t quite know what to expect, but after the season was over, I realized it was well worth it.  When I purchased my first half share I knew I got six items from our farmer Michael Scheidel from Little Peace Farms, but I didn’t realize that sometimes one item was actually three of something.  For example, you may get three zucchini for one item.  Many times I would come home with a huge bag or two grocery size bags full of produce.  The best part is the produce is picked shortly before you receive it, whether it’s that morning or the previous day, instead of being picked, sprayed with preservatives, packaged and then trucked from the other side of the country.  Here’s a great example of what our share of the bounty was on Saturday.

Red bunching onions, eight ball zucchini (two), radishes, poc choi, speckled romaine lettuce, sugar snaps and red Russian kale.

Just to give you an idea of the size of this produce, here’s my daughter posing with some.

My almost seven year old daughter with a bunch of kale. (That’s a lot of kale)

An eight ball almost the size of her head.

Yummy!

I’m a number person as much as a food person by heart, so I’m always looking for the best value.  At 20 weeks for a half share, that comes out to a little over $16 per week.  It’s fresh and you have the comfort and of knowing where it’s grown.   Tell me, can you get that in a supermarket or store?

There are a lot of great farmers all over the country that offer CSA’s.  It’s a great value and opens your world up to something new and fresh.  Check out the Local Harvest website for more details.

Local Harvest http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Little Peace Farm http://www.littlepeacefarm.com/

Blessings!

Deb