How To: CSA!

Article written by: Elizabeth Ferguson // Photographs all property of Crooked Row Farm

CSA’s are growing in popularity. And it’s easy to see why! They are a great way to connect farmers and consumers. 

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This means you purchase a share of the harvest from the farmer directly before the growing season starts. Payment upfront from the community like this helps farmers plan for the season, and do things like purchase seeds or make repairs around the farm. It also provides them with some financial security, in case there are low sales at a rainy farmer’s market. A CSA helps consumers get access to fresh, local produce and build a relationship with the people who grow their food. Buying a share is a great way to challenge yourself to eat more seasonally and cook more at home. You’ll feel content knowing you’ve supported your local economy and made a healthy choice.

How Do I Join a CSA?

Each CSA differs in how you join – some farms will have rolling sign ups, some you need to join by a specific date, and some are only able to offer a limited number of CSA shares. Shares are usually delivered weekly or bi-weekly to a community drop-off location, like a church or gym, but sometimes you can get it delivered to your home. Lots of farms now offer on-farm pickup, letting members get that much closer to where their food is grown. Crooked Row Farms, one of Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen’s local partners, offers both home delivery and farm pick up. They are located right off of Winchester Road! Shares usually last the whole growing season, from May to October, and you might even find a Winter CSA in your area. The most popular type of CSA is for fruits and vegetables, but there are many new CSA’s for meat, eggs, and value-added farm products which include: jams, salsas, herbs, and cornmeal. Yum!

Sometimes shares come in different sizes. How do you know which one is right for you?

• Small Share: A small share is great for a single person who eats mostly vegetarian, a couple or small family that wants to incorporate more vegetables into their meals. (1-2 people)
• Regular Share: A regular share is the right size for a couple or small family that eats almost all of their meals at home. (2-4 people)
• Large Share: Best for a large family, or to share amongst friends! (3-5 people)

To enroll in Crooked Row Farms CSA: https://www.crookedrowfarm.com/2018-season.html

Not in the Lexington Area? Find a CSA near you! https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/csas

What I learned from my CSA:

1. Not to waste food. Usually I’d forget what I’d bought at the grocery store or leftovers would go to waste in the back of the fridge. Knowing who grew my food and all the effort that went into it made me savor it.
2. That I could save money on groceries. By not wasting food, I saved money. Also, breaking down the upfront cost of the CSA by the total number of week, it cost me about $28 a week. I didn’t need to purchase much else at the grocery store to feed myself.
3. How to cook! There’s nothing like getting spinach in your bag for 4 weeks to make you look up some new spinach recipes. I got creative with my vegetables and learned to cook beyond spaghetti.
4. Lastly, I learned just how much food impacts your well-being. Having fresh, local veggies make up the majority of my diet made me feel much more energetic. I felt less stressed around mealtimes, knowing I would cook up something great from my CSA!