I’m a bit of a CSA junkie.
I’ve been a CSA member for the better part of the last 15 years.
For those new to the idea, CSA stands for community-supported agriculture.
Then once the farmer starts harvesting, you get a weekly pickup of freshly picked produce.
Sometimes the pickup is at the farm, sometimes it’s at a local business.
Some farmers bag everything up for you in advance-this makes pickup fast but you don’t get any choices.
Other farmers set up tables and provide instructions for what to take.
The best part is that the produce is super-fresh.
I can buy salad greens from the supermarket and they go bad within days.
But I know some people struggle with CSA shares.
It can sometimes feel like a chore for me too.
Clean out your fridge the night before your pickup.
Prep your fridge for your share.
Compost anything that’s starting to go bad or you know you won’t use before it goes bad.
Make pesto with the last of your herbs.
Shred the zucchini and freeze it for making bread later.
Talk to your farmer and your fellow CSA members at pickup.
Not sure what to do with kohlrabi?
Your farmer is happy to share their favorite recipe with you.
So is the person standing next to you.
Do you just hate parsnips?
Or do you still have leftover parsley?
Don’t be afraid to mention it to the folks who are picking up when you are.
Have a simple dinner plan for pickup day.
Which brings us to…
4.
Store your vegetables for maximum shelf life.
I didn’t do this previously, but I’ve started to and it makes a world of difference.
Storing everything properly will help it last as long as possible.
Cut and wash heads of lettuce and bag them up the same way.
Do you still have some carrots in the fridge from your last pickup?
Put the old ones on top of your new ones so you use them first.
And don’t forget to cut the greens off radishes, beets, kohlrabi, carrots, etc.
Those greens look pretty but they suck moisture from their roots, which can have rubbery results.
I like my radishes crisp, don’t you?
Make a meal plan.
Bookmark recipes that you like, then make a plan for what night you’ll make them.
How to Find & Join a CSA
Are you ready to do it?
The best way to find a good CSA in your area is to ask your friends and co-workers.
Make a list and check out each one-every CSA is different.
Most offer a variety of share sizes, so think about what you’ll actually cook.
The CSA “style” varies.
Others prebag certain items for you every week.
My favorite farm does a mix: I show up and there are tables loaded with produce.
Another consideration is pickup location-you want to check that it’s convenient for you.
Farms often offer different options-the farm, a workplace, another business.
Some farms that have on-farm pickups offer pick-your-own items occasionally over the season.
