Joining a CSA

After living in Austin, Texas, the words organic and local became part of my daily vernacular. Farmer's Markets, CSA's and Whole Foods were suddenly in my radar. Farmer's Markets are great, but require one to actually get to them when they're open, which can be rare, and to actually shop, which takes time; and Whole Foods, while largely organic, is rarely local. Enter CSA's.

CSA = Community Supported Agriculture

CSA's are simple:

• Find one near you
• Sign up for the size box you need per week
• Enjoy your produce

Some deliver to communities, some to neighborhoods and others to local merchants. But the gist of it is this...you're getting locally grown, in season fruits and vegetables (organic if that's the CSA you want). You're eating healthier, getting it easier and supporting a local farm. Many of these farms offer tours and different ways of participating, so you can actually SEE what you're eating grow instead of trusting some far off conglomerate to care what you're eating. The people who run the farms are largely the ones doing all of the work...they eat what you eat, so they care as much as you do.

So what do the boxes look like?

The one I joined is called Terra Firma. Last night I enjoyed an amazing potato leek soup made almost entirely from what was sent and today's lunch is a fresh spinach salad courtesy of my box. Just do it! You won't regret it :)