Why Community Supported Agriculture Is Awesome

You know that super delicious baby green salad you just ate at the uber hot spot in your ‘hood? All of the ingredients were grown on a rooftop in Queens. And remember that amazing yellow gazpacho you had at your friend’s house last week?The tomatoes and herbs were grown hydroponically on the counter of her kitchen. The box your neighbors had you sign for while they were hiking the Grand Canyon? It’s a delivery of organic produce that gets shipped to them from a little farm in New Jersey every Wednesday. Know where I’m going with all of this? Little road side farm stands aren’t the only game in (or out of) town anymore. There”s amazing progress going on in the world of growing organic foods and getting it to urbanites. There’s one system that’s the gold standard in the minds of farmers, foodies and registered dietitians alike and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of a CSA. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Here’s the deal: if you’re interested in joining a CSA, it’s kind of like joining a club. Unlike a farmer’s market where you drop in and pick and choose what you want and pay for it as you go, when you join a CSA, you’re part of a movement, which supports local farming and healthful foods for those who don’t have their own farm or garden. 3 Things to Know Before Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): 1. You buy a “share.” Before the growing season begins, you purchase a (crop) “share” directly from the farmer. Because you give the farmer money up front for the season, they have funds to buy seeds and equipment to grow and deliver your produce (and often dairy, eggs, meats and sometimes baked goods or wine). The farmer tells you what you can look forward to in each weekly delivery and you’re not guaranteed an exact list because crops vary based on weather and other factors. Shares vary depending upon the farm, and many offer half shares or opportunities to split a share. 2. You’re part of the community. Generally once a week, you pick up your share from the CSA location. Often the produce is set up on tables and you’re told how many onions to take or how many pounds of summer squash to grab. This gives you an opportunity to interact with other members, share recipes, swap cucumbers or simply chat about last night’s Netflix binge. Many CSAs ask you to help set up or break down the site once or twice as part of your membership, which, yes, helps connect you further to your food. And after all,  that whole farm to table thing does require logistics. 3. You must be flexible and adventurous in the kitchen. More likely than not, you’ll get something in your share that you’re inexperienced with from time to time. Pok choi, kholrabi and garlic scapes are delicious, but you need to know what to do with them, right? Use the community (and the weekly newsletter) to learn more how to store, clean and cook your exotic bounty. There are some great sites to help you make the most of your share. Do some research and visit a CSA local to you, so you can prepare to join one. Speak to the farmer and some members so that you can really see the mutual benefits of participating. And, at your next dinner party, be sure to say that the smashed pink potato with garlic scape and sautéed ramp side dish came from “your farm!”

4 Reasons You MUST Find a Farmers Market this Weekend

So, you get out of work, stomach is grumbling, and you ask yourself the inevitable, nightly question: “what’s for dinner?!” You open the fridge to find the same ole, same ole. You’re so bored that you settle for a PB&J…again… After devouring your less-than exciting “dinner,” you’re feeling (again) like a huge slacker when you see the beautiful salads and wholesome meals on your Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest feeds. Sound familiar? If you had taken that trip to the farmers market over the weekend like you had planned to, you would have opened the fridge to a bounty of new, exciting, and super fresh options to experiment with! Here’s how a trip to the farmers market can boost your health in more ways than you think. Kiss those PB&Js goodbye for a while; you’ll be replacing ‘em with summer salads, artisanal cheeses, crisp veggies, fresh baked goods, fruit galore…and more. Farmers Market Veggies are Fresh This just in: fruits and vegetables are good for your health! Ok, you knew that. How about a pop quiz: what’s better, toting home a bunch of freshly picked, locally grown herbs, fruits, and veggies from your neighborhood farmers market or packaged produce that’s likely spent days (or weeks) on a truck and/or in a warehouse? Another question: what’s better, picking your own strawberries, apples, or corn at a local farm from the farmer who grew them or buying them from the grocery store, unaware of where they came from, how many hands have touched them, and what chemicals were used to preserve them? Fresh, local, in-season produce maximizes nutritional benefits, straight from your local soil to the local market to your local kitchen table. Taking out the middleman and shortening time from soil to plate requires less/no preservatives, increases sustainability, and leaves food with unbelievable natural flavor. When I use fresh, local produce to make a salad, smoothie, or my homemade pesto (simply blend arugula, basil, and lemon with a handful of nuts of your choice – so easy!) the flavors truly POP. It’s better than store-bought every.single.time. Farmers Markets Have Some Serious Variety Sure, we all know that leafy greens are king, (for good reason) so always load ‘em up, but also keep your eyes peeled for produce that will urge you to expand your palette. Tasting the rainbow (no, not skittles!) and eating a varied diet ensures a diverse range of nutrients. Instead of grabbing your usual cucumber and onions, give your salad a crunch of color and flavor; try radishes, berries, and fresh herbs. Just wash, chop, and throw them over your greens; all you need is a little lemon juice, vinegar, or olive oil for a delicious (and nutritious!) summer salad. Opt for kohlrabi instead of your usual summer squash. It’s high in antioxidants and can be eaten raw (kholrabi slaw, it’s a thing!) or cooked (kholrabi fries, anyone?!) Try a locally-made sauce or dressing instead of your typical store-bought choice. You’ll most likely find all natural ingredients as opposed to the jibberish we often find on our food labels, most of which mean sugar or empty calories. So, switch it up, experiment, be adventurous, tickle your taste buds, and purée your own pesto. You won’t be sorry – trust me. Farmers Markets Will Keep Your Wallet a Little Bit Fatter I’m always pleasantly surprised when I walk away from the farmers market with bags full of goodies for a fraction of the cost of grocery or health-food stores. Rarely do I spend more than $20-$30 at the farmers market and I leave feeling like I got a whole new wardrobe (best feeling ever.) How’s this for a win: a pound of fresh-caught flounder for $12 when it would typically cost double that at the store (and chances are the fish isn’t remotely local or wild.) I topped that baby with fresh-squeezed lemon, salt, and pepper and tossed it right on the barbecue. You better believe we ate well that night and enjoyed leftovers for lunch the next day. It’s all about supply and demand; farmers sell what they have at the time, while grocers import their goods, boosting the price while cutting nutrients and flavor. When you go where the goods are made, whether it’s a bunch of kale or a pair of designer shoes, you’re bound to spend less and get more bang for your buck. Use your savings to treat yourself to a local bottle of wine…because balance is the key to life after all. Farmers Markets Are FUN! Instead of trying to get in and out of the grocery store as quickly as possible, the farmers market is an experience to savor. It’s like meeting the artist at an art gallery, except the art is edible and delicious! Each and every item at the farmers market has a story behind it – a why, when, and a how. Have you ever asked how the wheat at the grocery store was harvested, the difference in taste between two types of mushrooms, or how a bar of soap was made? Doubtful. I love learning about how our local bread baker finds virtually no intolerance to her breads, baked with locally harvested wheat, suggesting that it’s not the gluten we should fear, it’s the processing. The farmers’ insight is not only full of facts but also passion, deep knowledge, and enlightenment. For those with an eye for color, texture, smells, and the “art” of food, there is nothing more pleasing than fresh, colorful edibles. And for those of you who have never indulged in a farmers market stroll, that’s gotta change. I dare you to skip your boozy brunch or Saturday morning cartoons. This weekend, rally the family, a friend, or your pup for a field trip to the farmers market and enjoy a taste of nature, cultivation, and vitamin D. To find your local farmers market, see localharvest.org or usda.gov/farmersmarkets. Get shopping, picking, tasting, learning, and enjoy the experience, beginning to end eat.