Fairborn commencement
Badin graduation
Division I regional track finals
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day!
Today is the 38th annual celebration of the planet we call home, and a day to step back and think about things we can do to preserve and restore our natural resources…
So that’s the official line on Earth Day, but I want to know: what do YOU think about Earth Day?
Is it a time to reflect on accomplishments?
A time to call for more action?
Or something in-between?
Send a post, let us know, then go outside and do something good for the planet.
Home > Blogs > Living Green > Archives > 2008 > July > 26 > Entry
Thoughts on Community Supported Agriculture
I’m nearing the end of the CSA share I purchased this summer with Gravel Knolls Farm, and I’ve collected some thoughts about this method for purchasing locally grown food.
First, I’ve eaten very well. My culinary vocabulary has expanded to include a multitude of edible greens, and I can now appreciate the difference between the flavor of Red Sail and Green Leaf lettuces, between Swiss Chard, beet greens and arugula.
I’ve also become a more confident cook. After the first week of the CSA share, when I stared in total intimidation at the mountain of produce spread out on my counter, I pulled out the cook books and began experimenting, seeing where and how I could incorporate the local produce into my favorite recipes. I have yet to find a true dud, and my wife now eats some foods she wouldn’t usually touch, thanks to a little improvisation and really good vegetables.
I felt the farm’s CSA shares were worth the money. Though I didn’t do a dollar-to-dollar comparison (try finding Kolhrabi at Kroger), the share cost about $25 a week. The amount of vegetables would have been enough for a family of three; as it was, my wife and I shared some items with neighbors to reduce waste. The farm allows members to split shares, and I could see us doing that next year, to make sure we only take what we need.
Finally, it simply felt good being part of the CSA. We didn’t have to sweat through the salmonella scares that hit grocers this year. We had vegetables that tasted like real vegetables (buy a grocery store tomato, then compare it to one from the farmer’s market - you’ll understand what I mean). And we were able to see exactly where our money was going. how often can you do that in today’s global economy?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: DIY food
Comments
By Mary
July 27, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Please clue me in on if and where the Dayton Daily News keeps on this website a list of the local farms that have shares and local farmers’ markets dates, times, and locations. I have misplaced the newsprint versions taht appear from time to time.By Jon A. Wilson
July 29, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
The list I use is located here: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/