During the growing season (~22 weeks here in the north), I participate in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Prior to the start of the season, I buy a share of the farmers crop and then pick up a box of whatever's ripe every week. The contents of the box change throughout the season as different fruits and vegetables ripen.
This encourages me to eat more of the freshest possible produce, cook with things that I normally wouldn't, and helps support the local farmers. All good things!
An example of what the weekly box looks like:
A full share in July likely contains:
1 quart strawberries
2 heads broccoli
1 head Napa cabbage
1 bunch scallions
1 lb sugar snap peas
1 head lettuce
4 zucchini
1 bunch dill
3 lbs. carrots
2 sweet onions
2 lbs. tomatoes (various)
8 ears corn
2 cantaloupe (various)
2 peppers/eggplant
1 bunch basil
They also have half-shares for households that eat less.
Towards the end of the summer, I'll get carrots, melons, corn, etc. Once the autumn comes, it'll be various winter squashes, potatoes, garlic, leeks, and apple cider.
Many farms also have egg, meat, and yogurt shares available.
Do a web search and find one close to you. Even in urban areas, farmers will set these up and make CSA drop-offs while delivering produce. Some friends of mine just signed up for one in Philadelphia. I enjoy doing this every year, and I'm healthier for it. I get mine from the Kent Family Growers.
This encourages me to eat more of the freshest possible produce, cook with things that I normally wouldn't, and helps support the local farmers. All good things!
An example of what the weekly box looks like:
A full share in July likely contains:
1 quart strawberries
2 heads broccoli
1 head Napa cabbage
1 bunch scallions
1 lb sugar snap peas
1 head lettuce
4 zucchini
1 bunch dill
3 lbs. carrots
2 sweet onions
2 lbs. tomatoes (various)
8 ears corn
2 cantaloupe (various)
2 peppers/eggplant
1 bunch basil
They also have half-shares for households that eat less.
Towards the end of the summer, I'll get carrots, melons, corn, etc. Once the autumn comes, it'll be various winter squashes, potatoes, garlic, leeks, and apple cider.
Many farms also have egg, meat, and yogurt shares available.
Do a web search and find one close to you. Even in urban areas, farmers will set these up and make CSA drop-offs while delivering produce. Some friends of mine just signed up for one in Philadelphia. I enjoy doing this every year, and I'm healthier for it. I get mine from the Kent Family Growers.