It seems that every day I hear something new about chemicals and additives in our water, in our foods, and in our foods’ foods. This is largely due to the pesticides applied to America’s food crops. Like every other industry, industrial agriculture is constantly searching for ways to increase their profit margin, and hardly ever do these ways improve the nutritional content, health, or safety of most of the foods commercially available to consumers. Sadly, these practices are purposely concealed from consumers and most agribusinesses spend millions, billions perhaps, in marketing and litigation to make certain that the public remains uneducated and uninformed about what exactly we’re putting into our bodies.
So what can you do to ensure you’re doing right by your body and the planet? With summer quickly approaching, I recommend finding out if there are any CSAs in your area. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy fresh (often organic) and local produce directly from the folks that grow it. Unlike a more traditional Farmer’s Market, a CSA typically involves a membership, where “shares” are purchased at the beginning of the season and the members receive regular distribution of seasonal produce. It’s a great way to experiment with new foods and recipes and also to meet other health- and earth-conscious friends in your area.
CSAs benefit local communities by supporting local economies. If the farms are organic, then CSAs help to keep poisonous chemicals out of the soil and from seeping in to the groundwater. CSAs also prevent the excess use of fossil fuels by providing local distribution of seasonal foods, versus driving/flying items from thousands of miles away.
This will be my second summer with Laughing Stock Farm, here in Portland. Our farmers, Ralph and Lisa, are great and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them. Every Thursday in the summer I go to pick up our farm food. I chose the 3/4 share, which typically includes between 6-8 items, varying each week from greens and lettuces to peppers, tomatoes, squash, and even fresh flowers when we’re extra lucky. The cost works out to around $20 per week, comparable to purchasing the same organic items from Whole Foods. We also have the option to purchase local meats, eggs, breads and dairy on an a la carte basis—great for all of your Paleo folks looking for clean, healthy options! Obviously the cost will vary from farm to farm, but there’s almost certainly a budget-friendly option in every city. Doesn’t your body deserve a little upgrade anyway?!
If you’re not sure how to find a CSA in your area, you can try plugging in your zip code into the map at Local Harvest which is a national database of farms and CSAs
If you’re already a CSA member, please share some of your favorite vegetable recipes!
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