For about a month or so, I have been driving out to a local farm each week to pick up a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box filled with fresh, organic veggies for my family to eat during the week. And let me tell you, one of my favorite parts about the whole thing is that this is quality, delicious produce. Everything that I've received looks gorgeous, and tastes great.
Not only is it a great product, but in doing this, we are supporting the local economy by buying directly from the farmer. There is no transportation of the food, other than me going to pick it up. Also, to make it even more fun, some of my friends also go out every week, so we have been able to go together sometimes as well as give each other recipe ideas.
I have found that in order to use all the produce we get, I have to make a point to cook more and come up with meals that incorporate those particular veggies. We also get a lot of fruit in the boxes, which has been fabulous because we make smoothies every morning for breakfast -- which my daughter absolutely loves and we can even sneak in some kale or spinach and she is none the wiser!
Anyway, being a part of a CSA has been something that I have been interested in for quite some time. I finally took the step to join when a friend actually joined first and then told me all the details. If you are at all interested in joining a CSA, I would recommend finding out the options in your area and just go out there and check them out. This way you can see what's right for you and your family.
P.S. If you live in Chico and would like to know about a great place to get a CSA box, this is where we go: Comanche Creek Farms. Or, if you'd like to learn more about what a CSA is, read this.
