Author’s note: If you are just now joining us, you may wish to check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. Thanks!
***************************************************************************
Welcome to the fifth, and final, installment in our series! Today we’ll be talking about two ways to have a more direct impact on the organic food you eat: joining a CSA group and growing your own.
A CSA (short for Community Supported Agriculture) group basically consists of a grower and a set number of consumers. Each consumer contributes a set amount of money and/or labor in exchange for a share of the harvest. So rather than going to a farmer’s market or the supermarket, members of a CSA receive a weekly harvest of whatever is seasonal. By giving the farmer a guaranteed outlet for his products, he (or in many cases, she) can then focus on making sure that the food is produced with as much care and quality as possible. This also cuts down on waste as the farmer knows exactly how much to grow. Because the farmer doesn’t have to pay for marketing or anything, the price of a share is often comparable with a like amount of food when purchased at a supermarket.
But overall, I think the best way is to produce your own, whenever possible. By growing your own, you have complete control over what is grown, how much you spend, and how the produce is grown. While most people will probably not keep animals, such as cows, goats, pigs, or chickens, and instead focus on vegetables, the same principles apply. I just purchased a LOT (probably way too much for my first stab at gardening) of seed from Baker Creek Seeds for less than $30, and by splitting some of the cost with some friends I am saving even more. Not to mention, I will have the satisfaction of growing my own food, saving money, spending time outdoors in God’s Creation, and knowing that I am feeding my family the best tasting, freshest, and in-season fruits and vegetables available!
***************************************************************************
For more information, check out these links.
The USDA Consumer Guide to Organics