CSA

What is a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture. It's basically a subscription for food. You pay a small farmer a certain amount and in return receive a share of the harvest. Its like going to the farmers market, BUT you don't have to go to the farmers market. Instead, you pick up your weekly or bi-weekly share at a neighborhood location. Some even deliver. Its good for the farmers because they have guaranteed income. It's good for you because most are organic and you're eating seasonally and locally. What could be better?

I've been reading about CSAs for a while now, but Michael Pollen had a link to Local Harvest in one of his blogs for the New York Times. Local Harvest was started by Guillermo Payet, featured in this months Gourmet in an article about Peru and its return to native foods. (More about Local Harvest here.) You can search for stores, farmers markets or CSAs in your area by zip code. Easy!

From the site, I found several CSAs in the Austin area and corresponded with one to work out the details of a subscription. Next Wednesday, I pick up my first box from Hairston Creek Farms. They've been growing organic certified produce since 1993 and it sounds wonderful. I'll keep you posted not only on what is included, but also what I make with it. Can't wait!

Mangez!