Editor's Note: Guest blogger Rachel Pinsky introduces us to CSA, or community supported agriculture. CSA allows consumers to receive fresh, locally-grown produce from farmers in their area (usually in the form of a box that is picked up or delivered). Each week Pinsky takes to her blog to ask "what's in the box?" and shows her readers how eating local can be fun.
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An Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA)
What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) has been around for the last 20 years. The CSA system allows consumers to buy fresh, seasonal produce from a local farmer. Typically, the consumer buys a share in the CSA before the growing season and then during the growing season receives a weekly box with their share of the produce harvested from the farm. The boxes are dropped off at various pick up sites and the consumer picks up their box. Some CSA programs also offer meat, eggs, flowers, bread, and other items for an additional price. Typically, the CSA boxes contain a newsletter with information about the farm, a list of the produce in your box, and some recipes. Many farms that participate in CSA programs have events for their members at the farm. This allows members to get to know their farmer and to see the farm.
Why join a CSA?
Joining a CSA ensures that you are getting the very freshest produce. Most farmers pack the CSA boxes the day before or the day of delivering to drop off sites. This means that the veggies are at their peak in terms of nutritional value and flavor. You also get a variety of vegetables. This allows for variety in your diet. You cook and eat many vegetables that would not otherwise eat. It is a good way to develop healthy eating habits for you and your family. And, because the vegetables are so fresh they usually require minimal time to get from box to table.
I have talked to many people who are bit intimidated by the quantity and variety of veggies that come in the box each week. If you are concerned about quantity you can see if your CSA program allows you to split the box or you can find a friend that would be interested in splitting the box. You can also freeze or preserve some of the veggies. If you are concerned that you may not know how to identify or prepare some veggies there are great resources on the internet for produce identification and preparation. You can also call or e-mail your farmer. I had a lemon cucumber in my box one week and I had no idea what it was or what to do with it; so, I called the farmer and she told me what it was and how to prepare it. There is usually a produce list in the newsletter in your box so you can narrow down the possibilities and get on the internet to identify the veggie and find good recipes. If you’re not sure how to prepare the veggies in your box there are a lot of good food websites and blogs on the internet that have great recipes. You can just do a search using the name of the veggie you want to make or search using the name of the veggie and other ingredients you have in the house. You can also make a trip to your local library or bookstore and look into buying some vegetarian cookbooks or cookbooks that focus on preparing local, seasonal vegetables. 
How do I find a CSA?
Local Harvest has a website that will help you find a CSA in the United States using your city or zip code. After finding the farms in your area you can look at the farm’s website to get specific information about their CSA program and an idea of what they typically have in the boxes throughout the growing season. You can also ask your neighbors if they know of a pick up site in your neighborhood or coworkers to see if there is a CSA that delivers near your office. You can visit your local farmers market and get to know the farmers in your area. If you have a favorite farmer at your farmers market you should ask them if they have a CSA program.
You can also organize a pick up site in your area. First, decide what farm you would like to join. You can do this by going to the farmers market and seeing who has the best produce in your area. You can also ask friends that live nearby if they have a good CSA. Then, contact the farmer and see if there are interested in starting a new site. If you can get enough people to sign on for your proposed site then it is highly likely the farmer will be interested in setting up a new site.
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Check in next week when Pinsky will provide quick and easy recipe ideas perfect for your CSA deliveries. For more of Pinsky's insights, you can visit her blog.
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