Think spring (or summer)--join a CSA!

No, a CSA is not someone who will prepare your taxes, nor is it a string of genetic code or an acronym for a top-secret government agency, although it is an acronym. CSA stands for community supported agriculture, and is defined by the USDA as “a new idea in farming, one that has been gaining momentum since its introduction to the United States … where consumers interested in safe food and farmers seeking stable markets for their crops joined together in economic partnerships.” While I don’t think the idea is necessarily new—people were buying from local farmers long before mega-supermarkets came into existence—I do believe that many people are not aware that CSAs exist in their communities or of the benefits that participating in a CSA brings to everyone involved. For an average cost of $350 - $550 (usually paid in the winter), consumers receive a share of a farm or cooperative's crops, most often in the form of weekly farm boxes, from late spring until early fall. The farmers benefit by receiving funds to start their crops when they need it (late winter and early spring), and consumers benefit by receiving fresh, locally grown produce, eggs, meat, and other products throughout the warmer months, usually for a lesser price than they would pay at the grocery store for inferior foods. Many CSAs also offer volunteer opportunities and "farm experiences", both of which are great for families. Moreover, CSAs foster strong community ties by bringing together local people and local businesses.

Not sure where to find a CSA near you? A good place to start is Local Harvest, a website dedicated to bringing together communities and farmers all over the US. If you live in Massachusetts, be sure to check out NOFA's site for a list of CSAs in our state. This was how I located my CSA at Colchester Neighborhood Farm in Plympton. For more information about CSAs, visit the CSA section of the USDA website. And don't despair if you live in the city--many CSAs deliver farm boxes to predetermined locations in cities across the country.

One last note--if you want to participate in a CSA this year, the time to join is now: many farms sell out of shares well before the first signs of spring. For me, one of the best parts of belonging to a CSA is the knowledge that I will be spending this summer eating fresh, nutritious, locally grown produce, eggs, and meat and supporting local farmers while others who didn't do their homework will be forced to be content with what they find on the supermarket shelves. I already feel sorry for them.

Kate
The Ordinary Organic

What's old is new - or is it?

While it will take some time before it (hopefully) becomes mainstream, organic food is steadily gaining popularity in the United States. Or perhaps it would make more sense to say that organic foods are making a major comeback, because growing food organically is not a new concept. In fact, organic food was the only kind of food that existed until the advent of chemical pesticides and fertilizers during the last century. Since the dawn of agriculture, people all over the world have been growing everything from corn to potatoes to tomatoes to cotton relying on nothing more than common sense, careful planning, and a little bit of luck. However, the demand for more food that would grow quicker and last longer which became prevalent during and after the two World Wars led to the creation of (what we now know to be) toxic fertilizers and pesticides. Just as we can blame modern science for the introduction of these convenient yet harmful chemicals, we can thank modern science for the slow but steady understanding that the way it was is, in reality, the way it needs to be today.

When I decided to make the conscious effort to eat organic foods and use more eco-friendly products, I did what I always do when I want to know more about a subject: I went to my local library. Actually, I logged onto http://www.sailsinc.org/, a website that allows me to search the catalog of my library as well as those of neighboring libraries which belong to the Sails network. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of books my search for "organic" turned up. One of my favorites so far is A Slice of Organic Life (edited by Sheherazade Goldsmith). This wonderful book is crammed full of ideas for those who wish to adopt a healthier lifestyle but don't necessarily want to make radical changes. There is advice on a myriad of topics; some of the ones that have grabbed my attention are supporting local businesses, give eco presents, wear and sleep in natural organic fibers, and all of the sections regarding growing one's own organic fruits, vegetables, and even animals (my husband just won't go for raising chickens, though, even though I found two books about the subject at my library). If you're interested in finding ways to integrate organic and eco-friendly products and practices into your current lifestyle, whether you live in an apartment in the city or on three acres of land in the suburbs, this book is the perfect place to start.

Off to gymnastics (and I suppose I should study for that French final I have tonight). Have a great day!

Kate

The Ordinary Organic