If you don't have the time to start up your own veggie garden, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great alternative.
What is CSA?
A CSA is like a co-op, where you pay to become a member and once a week pick up your share of the latest harvested produce.
Pros
1) Knowing the origins of what you put in your body.
When you support your local CSA you know exactly where your food is coming from. Did you know that in the U.S. food travels an average of 1,500 MILES from crop to kitchen?! That's roughly the distance between California and Oklahoma. Transportation of produce in the U.S. accounts for 925 BILLION POUNDS of carbon dioxide emissions each year! Wow. I'd say that by the time we are cooking up our produce, it’s no longer what you'd call "fresh." And for those who have forgotten, the taste of an apple, strawberry, or green bean is SO much sweeter & full bodied when freshly picked.
2) Eating what’s in season.
By joining a CSA you eat what is in season. You know that what is about to go in your stomach is fresh and has not been artificially altered to grow out of its natural season.
3) It’s better for the environment.
As stated in Delicious Living magazine, "organic farming has the potential to use one-third fewer fossil fuels than conventional farming." Organic farming also helps create an increase in soil carbon (=healthy soil).
The more you research organic farming the more environmental and health benefits you will find, but I think that the true benefit is the intrinsic feeling one gets from knowing they are doing something for themselves that is healthier. And when you are eating a plate full of fresh greens, it just feels good.
It’s not always easy switching to a CSA though.
Cons
1) How in the heck do you cook that?
Joining a CSA may take some getting used to, if for no other reason than that you typically don't get to choose the produce you buy. Instead you get what has most recently been harvested. You’ll likely find yourself standing in your kitchen one evening with a few heads of various leafy greens or other veggies that look more like some sort of alien incarnation rather than something you would eat. (My first experience in a CSA I wound up in my kitchen with over a pound of kohlrabi. Kohlrabi??? With a little creativity and perseverance I soon discovered that it makes great pancakes). The coolest part about not getting to choose what produce you purchase is that it broadens your diet (in a healthy way of course) and for those of us that like to cook…well here is your opportunity! So get out there and support your local CSA while eating healthier all at the same time.
2) The Expense
You will find that joining a CSA can be a little pricier than if you were to just keep shopping for your veggies at your local supermarket.
CSA in Santa Barbara:
Fairview Gardens
Other organic farms:
Ebby's Organic Farm
Lane Farms
*Sources:
Cool Foods Campaign
USDA Agricultire Fact Book
photo courtesy of the Fairview Gardens