Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Eat your vegetables! Join a CSA!
As spring approaches it's time to consider the upcoming growing season. Here in Wisconsin many farmers begin sowing seeds in March, ensuring the spring veggies we know and love can arrive on our plates by end of May or early June. What some of you may not know is that many farms around your area offer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares each year.
A CSA is a buy-in program with a local farm, meaning you give monetary support and in return receive 16-25 weeks (based on farm) of seasonal produce. In most cases you choose the size of your share based on vegetable consumption or the number of peeps in your household, whichever's a better fit. Each week the farm prepares your share based on the seasonal harvest and delivers to a previously agreed upon locale. Supplying you with the freshest produce available, plus the investment works both ways because your early support helps farmers keep up with initial costs and your money stays in the community.
The cost of a share comes out to about $20-$30 a week or an average of $500 per season. A lot of farms offer partial payment plans. If this commitment seems too expensive for your budget some farms offer worker shares. You can volunteer your time and receive delicious food in return. Yum! I recommend checking Local Harvest for reviews and information on the farms near you. In Milwaukee, my parents are proud members of High Cross Farm's CSA. Farmers Steve and Kath are a treat and provide the most beautiful bounty. I will be interning this summer at Whitefeather Organics outside of Point so you can bet that's THE choice in Central Wisconsin! ;)
Support your local farmers! Even writing about them makes me smile!!!!
Labels:
Community Supported Agriculture,
CSA,
Farmer's Market,
High Cross Farm,
Whitefeather Organics
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