So, I just joined my first CSA= Community Supported Agriculture.
Recently, it’s become clear to me that the closer to home your food comes from, the better off you, your neighbors, and the planet! This is primarily because modern industrial food is highly dependent on fossil fuels, every step of the way. From the fertilizers and pesticides that are used to grow crops–in particular, corn, which both makes up a large part of our processed and fast foods and is used to feed animals in CAFOs, which make up another large part of our processed and fast foods–to the rather large amount of fuel needed to transport food (even organic bananas) from countries or continents away, then to truck them to your supermarket. On top of all this, the food is less nutritious and less tasty because of things like monocropping, hybridizing vegetables to withstand travel, feedlot animals living unhealthy lives because of overcrowding and unhealthy diet, and growing things out of season....phew....doesn't make you very hungry after all those words, eh?
The solution, especially if you live on a small plot of land with no garden space in the middle of a city?
drum roll please.....
Your local CSA! The general idea is that members of a local community buy “shares” of a local farmer’s harvest before the growing season begins. During the growing/harvest season, each CSA member receives a share of whatever’s currently being harvested, thereby getting local, seasonal, and (more often than not) organic produce. I just joined Zoe's Garden (located in my hometown of Fruit Heights, but with drop off points in Sugarhouse! Yipeeee!!)
Find one near you to join here:
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
10 comments:
Kia ora D'Arcy,
Very cool undertaking with your veges and fruit. I have taken to attending our local farmers market every saturday morning and buying our fruit and veges for the week. Much cheaper, much fresher, much tastier, and much more supportive of the local economy. I also find that it is such an interesting experience to roam the market, become familiar with favourite stalls, learn what foods are in season, and find new veges to explore with. Implementing my own garden will be the next step.
I read today how the Mississippi watershed is sending so much fertilizer run off from the 6 fold increase in corn production for bio fuel, that it is creating huge dead areas, deprived of oxygen, in the Gulf of Mexico. We really need to change our ways, even if in small ways, such as you suggest, and start a ripple that continues to grow. Kia ora D'Arcy!
Rangimarie,
Robb
ps. would love to hear those artists you mentioned. I don't get exposed to much new music these days, except stuff I just happen to stumble across. Have a great day.
That sounds cool D'Arce.
You give me vegetables, I give you Mexican food.
Really though, I'll have to have you come visit the Abuelito's with me soon, their food is incredible.....
Every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning, I get the thrill of sniffing and squeezing all the locally grown goodies in North San Diego. Fields of growers exist among the suburban area we call home. We are truly fortunate. It's good that awareness is growing about locally grown foods and that those of us without "a bit of earth" are able to eat whole and fresh foods. Sustainable living... what a concept, huh? ;)
Those veggies almost look as good as my bakery picture at Nine Worlds.
Imagine if everyone did this?
Like Robb, I also go to the local Saturday farmer's market - its a fun filled day and also has local arts and crafts.
I can live without bananas and oranges, but they'll have to pry the chocolate from my cold, dead, chubby hands.
This is great idea, especially those without a local farmer's market. You should blog about your inventive adaptations to the more limited variety of produce in your new diet.
There are several community gardens around SLC for apartment dwellers to take advantage of as well (though one was lost this year to development) :(
Very cool indeed! Love the photo too - the colors of that produce are so vibrant and gorgeous!
Last year we tried to have our own vegetable garden. Hubster took it very seriously. Rented a tiller - and spent hours and hours preparing the soil, etc. He turned most of our back yard (which is fairly large) into a huge garden. We had 7 varieties of tomatoes alone (!!), plus watermelons, jalapenosa, cucumbers, bell peppers, corn, etc., etc. We got off to a GREAT start and then the worst drought in all Georgia history hit. It was really a bummer. Almost everything died. (However, we DID find out that jalapenos are VERY drought-resistant!!)
We do go to a local farmers market, though. I've always felt it very important to support small local businessowners, whatever it is they happen to sell, or whatever service they provide.
Fabulous! There are a ton of farmers' markets and CSAs around here. Wonderful concept. I love it!
Wow, I am impressed with all of your veggie strategies! And I am impressed that so many of you live near farmer's markets!
And Marie, I'll be prying that chocolate out of your hand for my own sake. It will forever be my achilles heel!
Michelle, I feel like your Abuelito was meant to be my Abuelito.
This is awesome! I looked up the one in my area, but I don't think I would make it to the pickup time often enough. Unless I could get a vegetable courier. Hmmm.
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