#76: Join a CSA

On Sunday T and I received our first CSA box:

Say hello to our new vegetable supplier: Suzie's Farm.

Suzie's is an organic farming operation operating here in San Diego (in fact, Google maps informs me that they are located between 15.7 and 17.1 miles from my house depending on the freeways that I take). The sell their produce to lots of local restaurants, at farmer's markets, and through their CSA .

"But what is a CSA, and what's in the basket?" I hear you asking.

Allow me to answer those questions one at a time.

1. CSA=community supported agriculture. CSA programs put local farmers in direct contact with their customer base. These programs generally work as such... the customer pays a flat fee for a certain number of produce deliveries and every week (or in our case, every other week) the farmer supplies said customer with a box of produce.  These types of programs are helpful in supporting local farms because it guarantees the farmers a customer base and gives them the capital that they need for planting and other big projects on the farm. And in exchange for their pledge of support, the customers are supplied with a variety of high quality veggies without having to pay assorted middle men, and with the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly where your veggies come from and your money goes.

2. This week our CSA box contained the following:

• Tomatillos (1 lb)
• Cabbage
• Zucchini
• Onion Fennel
• Tomatos (2lbs..... delicious San Marzanos)
• Padron Peppers
• Lettuce
• Okra
• Onion Sprouts
• Cilantro

While we don't get to pick what comes in our box each week, we do varied an assortment of different produce depending on what is ripe at the farm. I find this to be one of the most compelling reasons for joining the CSA.... It puts people back in touch with seasonal eating, an experience very different from the standard supermarket produce section.

All Local Salad

If you're interested in what we're making with our produce just check in on T's food blog. I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty money shots of Suzie's amazing vegetables over there before too long.

Cheers,
Nick