Turning Over a New Leaf - Going Green in Blue Island

by Anna Stange

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Believe it or not, now is the time to start thinking about next summer’s garden, or at least next summer’s garden produce. By thinking ahead, you can join in a great bargain that’s good for your family, good for your wallet, and good for the earth. Good for your family because it’s fresh , organic food. Good for your wallet, because you’ll receive enough produce for a family of four (or so) for about $30 per week. And good for the earth, because it’s locally grown. It’s time to join a Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA).

Most of our grocery store produce comes from hundreds and even thousands of miles away. The cost, the carbon footprint, of that food is huge: fuel, pollution, highway and truck maintenance, and climate controlled storage facilities. In addition, food that is grown to be shipped long distances is usually either picked before it’s ripe (losing nutrients), is grown from hybrid or genetically modified seed specifically for long shelf life (over flavor & nutrition), or has preservatives added.

We joined a CSA farm about 6 years ago. I immediately noticed that our grocery bills plummeted! Each week, we receive a nice variety of fresh produce. ¾ of bushel is usually more than we can eat in one week, so I freeze, can or dry the extra, spreading the savings into the fall and winter. Many CSA farms offer substantial price breaks if you pay for more than one year in advance, and they usually offer a payment plan so you don’t pay the entire cost of the 12, 20 or 24 weeks at one time.

Here’s how it works: In the fall, a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share and in return receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. By purchasing a share in the fall, you get a huge price break compared to purchasing produce at the store or farmer’s market because you’re participating in a “shared risk”. If all goes well, you get a bounty of veggies, and if there are crop difficulties during the season, the farmer still gets paid. In our experience, we have received more value than we expected, and only one season did the farm fall short (and only one for week).

There are several CSA farms that service our area. Be sure to thoroughly investigate any CSA and talk to members for their opinions before you sign up for a share. If there are enough people in a particular area who sign up for shares, many CSA farms are willing to add a local delivery site.

www.AngelicOrganics.com We’ve been very happy with fruit & veggies from Angelic Organics. The nearest pick-up site is Hyde Park. (near Rockford)

www.earthfirstfarms.com You can purchase an apple tree share. We received 2 bushels of apples this year, and they made the BEST applesauce yet. (Berrien Springs, MI) Nearest pickup site is in Chicago.

www.Cedarvalleysustainable.com various cuts of beef, pork, chicken & 2 dozen eggs per month (Ottawa) Nearest pickup site is Oak Lawn.

www.genesis-growers.com vegetable and egg shares. Nearest pick-up site is Oak Lawn.

www.growingpower.org a market share-you can order on a week by week basis. Nearest pick-up site is Beverly. (Milwaukee)

Visit the website: www.thelocalbeet. com for more information about other CSAs in the area.

Anna Stange

When Will We Ever Learn?
Songs For Peace & Justice
Listen to the new CD:
www.CDBaby.com/all/annastange
1-800-BUY-MY-CD

www.AnnaStange.com Attend Anna’s concert at the library December 11.