Katchkie Farm

Normally, I decide what I feel like eating or choose a recipe I want to make and then I go to the store and buy the ingredients I need. But this year, I joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and it's exactly the opposite. When I get my vegetables each week, they dictate what I'm going to make. It helps me to eat locally and seasonally and encourages me to try new foods that I probably wouldn't otherwise buy.... like garlic scapes, gooseberries and kohlrabi (a cross between a cabbage and a turnip).

Here are the basics of a CSA according to Local Harvest: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of vegetables, but other farm products may be included like fruit, grains or dairy. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or "subscription") at the beginning of the season and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

The CSA I belong to, Katchkie Farm, is an organic farm about 3 hours north of New York City. For $275, I receive a half share of vegetables every Wednesday from June through November. I get the same selection of vegetables as those members that purchased a full share, but I just get half as much. For 2 of us, this is more than enough.  I also joined a fruit share and a bread share through Local Roots NYC.

Here are pictures of some of the fresh vegtables, fruits and breads I have received so far this season and some of the dishes I have made.

If you are interested in joining a CSA, here are some helpful links:

http://www.justfood.org/csa

http://localrootsnyc.org/

http://www.localharvest.org/