Lately I’ve been watching a work colleague show up with all sorts of unusual fruits and veggies for lunch, discussing things like how to cook fennel what to do with turnips . So I inquired, “Sara, why do you keep buying things you don’t even know how to make?” She told me,” it’s from CSA. ” For those of you who haven’t heard, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, it’s a bunch of local farms keeping it old school by delivering in-season, non-toxic produce to your doorstep.
Now, as much as I’m an advocate for having an edible garden, yields are sometimes lacking and the weekly produce run to Trader Joes or the farmer’s market is still a reality. It was fortituous when a stranger with a daisy in her hair showed up, knocking at my door last night. She was from CSA. Although there have been a few robberies in my upscale neighborhood lately and my very good, but very paranoid friend was over for dinner and was vehemently opposed to talking to the unannounced stranger, I opened the door, invited her in, signed up immediately and sent her on her way with a jar of my now famous, homemade fig jam.
I am all for the CSA warriors in their crusade against corporate greed and the systematic poisoning of our population via chemical laden, unseasonable, non-nutritious “fruits and vegetables” shipped from thousands of miles away and picked at the height of not ripeness.
Anyone who knows me, knows I grew up without much. When we did buy fresh produce, it was always what was in season, only because it was abundant and therefore, cheap. But there’s something to eating what is in season and nature has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need, when we need it. The CSA works the same way. You get a weekly or bi-weekly package with seasonal, local and fresh surprises. Because they send what is abundant in their field, it’s affordable. I thrown down $60 plus a week for organic fruits and veggies at Trader Joes or farmer’s markets. CSA is half that.
My first shippment comes next week. I can’t wait to see what I’ll get. Bring on the turnips and kale (good thing they come with suggested receipes). I’ve got a sense of adventure and one hot husband who can cook in the kitchen too!
