CSA & Lettuce Boats

Ahhh, it must be summer...CSAs and boats. What?!

What is a CSA you ask? 

It stands for Community Supported Agriculture. And as much as I hate to admit it, I have known about this sort of thing for several years, but have never participated. That has changed now, folks! Since my dietary conversion to a SIMPLE RAW FOOD diet, as one might imagine, our family's grocery bill is mainly produce. And since my garden is sputtering around and taking off like a water-tainted moped gas tank, I freely admit that I need some produce help!

Oh, Community Supported Agriculture is a marvelous way to obtain your produce! Here are some highlights and insights of a CSA:

- you buy a share of a local CSA farmer's garden--usually at the beginning of the season

- each week (or a time frame set-up by your CSA) you pick up your share of that week's crop

- your money pays for produce grown locally and the miscellaneous & assorted costs of running a large-scale garden (labor of those working the farm--most times family members and locals from your community, seeds, water, equipment and so on)

- your money does NOT pay for fuel and the transportation across countries and/or states for supermarket produce, nor does it pay for a supermarket to advertise their trucked-in goods, and so on

- when you buy a CSA farm share, you also buy into the risk of that local farmer, so if a storm comes through and wipes out a crop, he loses that revenue and you lose that potential produce

- if you choose a Certified Organic CSA farm, you are protecting the environment from nasty chemicals, not to mention yourself and your family!

- when you buy local, you support your local economy in so many ways other than monetary

- your cost can vary but for the local CSAs that I researched, my cost would average $20/week -- and that is for ORGANIC produce! By the way, that is a savings!

Community Supported Agriculture (And Other Farm Subscriptions)

Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, coffee, or any sort of different farm products. A CSA, (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season. A CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 1000 ~ italic information above taken directly from the website www.localharvest.org

You could do a google search and find tons of information too. 

Please keep in mind that my mantra of SIMPLE does not always mean easy. SIMPLE harkens back to a time of my grandparent's generation when families toiled in the soil for their food, when folks bought goods from locals, when families worked together, when sweating took place in the garden or on the tractor and not in the gym (no offense to my city-dwelling friends), and when you took pleasure in eating the food you had a hand in growing.

So for those of us with sputtering gardens and/or no room for gardens, participate in a local CSA! Put your dollar where it should be--locally. Build a relationship with your farmers. Stand up for farmland protection policies. Realize that they are trying their utmost to do something simple, yet in this day & age, something awe-inspiring -- grow quality produce to nourish you and your family! SIMPLE RAW HEALTH at its best people!

If your hands cannot grow your very own produce, put your money (and therefore the resources and ability) into the hands of someone you trust to do it! 

Here are some photos of the produce loot I scored last week from my local Certified Organic CSA. This is what my $20 bought! Amazing quality, goodness, freshness, and quantity! I am a satisfied customer indeed. And here is a link to their spot at Local Harvest-- Willow Grove Gardens.

What about the boats?!

And here is a SIMPLE lunch I made from my wonderful produce. Lettuce Boats! 

- a few large pieces of lettuce

- assorted chopped produce (beets, zucchini)

- soaked raw sunflower seeds

Just grab the sides and start chomping away at the end closest to your mouth! YUM! If you need some spice, add some. Or you may drizzle some

 cold-pressed organic olive oil on top. Do what works with what you have!

SIMPLE RAW FOOD MAMMA says, "Not only should you eat your veggies, but you should know who grows 'em!"