Becoming a Locavore

One of the best things we can do for the planet and our bodies is to eat locally grown food. Many of our food items are processed and travel a long way to our local grocery store, and subsequently, our tables. Growing your own food in your backyard, or on your apartment patio, is probably rated the #1 way you can help the environment. As stated in another post, I want to start my garden at our new house (which we close on this Friday). So, stay tuned. I am afraid though, with this being my first garden, that it won't produce the variety or yield we require. So, as a back-up plan, we are joining a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, establishment.

CSA's are farms that sell shares (or pieces of the harvest) to individuals and families by season. The one we are seriously considering joining sells it's shares for $400 for a 12 week season. That comes out to $33 bucks a week, give or take a little, each week. Since my produce is what will dictate the menu, I am hoping we will consume less meat and, as a result, spend less on food overall. But $33 is way less than I would spend at the grocery store, and the evironmental impact is profoundly less. I am so pleased to be taking this next step in my sustainably chic lifestyle.

I found my CSA though localharvest.org. Basically, I entered my zip and it provided a list of CSA's with reviews. I had about 2 within a distance that would work for us. Also, this website also has farmer's market listings and reviews. I found it to be super helpful.

The anticipated benefits seems almost endless. Not only, will my family be creating less pollution, we will be getting produce at peak ripeness and with minimal chemical residue, if any. So, not only will our bodies be better for it, but so will the common good of the air and climate. Another thing I am really looking forward to is how creative it will prompt me to get in the kitchen. Up until fairly recently, I had a variety of tastes, but mainly cooked the same foods over and over. I have been interested in exploring our food options, but this is going to, hopefully, exceed those expectations. The new things I will be cooking with include different types of squash, chard, different green beans, and leafy greens. It is very exciting and I think we are going to be healthier because of it. Plus, it is going to save money in the long run!