News Taffy

Earlier this spring, I signed up for a weekly box of fresh produce or “share” from New South Produce Cooperative, a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture or CSA is a way for consumers to buy fresh local produce directly from a farmer or group of farmers by buying a “share” at the beginning of the season and receiving a box of produce for a period of time agreed upon. Such shares can include other foods like eggs, cheese, meat or even flowers and herbs. The box is either delivered to your door or you pick it up at a prearranged place.

Buying your food through a CSA helps the local economy by supporting a local small business owner, meaning dollars stay in your community. CSAs help the farmer by ensuring he has a ready market for his produce and he doesn’t have to spend time at a farmer’s market or roadside stand pedaling his wares. Buying local is good for the environment as the food isn’t shipped thousands of miles or doesn't spend time in a warehouse.

There is a huge taste difference when you buy locally grown food at the peak of ripeness. Your children just might eat their vegetables without complaint if they tasted better in the first place (and you will too!). The carrots in my box last week looked ordinary enough but everyone remarked at how good they tasted, much better than what I buy at the grocery store. Since you don’t know exactly what will be in season each week, you don’t know what will be in the box so it is like opening a gift to see what is inside. It has been fun and interesting to try new vegetables that I would not have bought at the store. So far we’ve tried kohlrabi, which looks like an asteroid, and rainbow Swiss chard, so pretty and candy cane beets, my favorite. Getting out of your comfort zone by trying new vegetables and recipes is a good cure for the old “what’s for dinner” blahs. Plus having a large quantity of produce on hand definitely makes you eat more vegetables - a win for your health!

If you are interested in trying a CSA, check out New South Produce Cooperative’s website - newsouthcoop.com. New South has a “commitment to eating healthier food and supporting local farmers. Members sign up and pay in advance to ensure farmers have the capital they need to begin their year.” In return, you receive fresh produce for 8 or 16 weeks. New South’s farmers are all certified organic or certified naturally grown so there are no harsh chemicals used on the crops and they use soil amending treatments like compost.

Wilson Gardens in Wilson Arkansas also has a CSA, see their website at wilsongardens.com. Wilson Gardens focuses on bolstering the natural ecosystem to function at its best, using biological sprays when necessary, rotating crops and respecting biodiversity. The spring season is sold out, there will be a sign up for the next season which starts August 1.