These days, you have more options for supporting local farmers and food producers than just being a loyal customer at the weekend farmer's market. You can invest in upcoming bounty by signing up for a share in a CSA before the growing season gets started. CSA stands for "community supported agriculture, " and it's a growing trend among consumers who like to get their Missouri Local Produce from small-scale local farmers.
Some supermarkets recognize how important this is to customers and they are beginning to look for local alternatives to long-distance shipping. Part of the problem is that we have become used to the availability of most food year-round that we have failed to evaluate its nutritional impact. Procuring fruits and vegetables in season provides the very best regarding flavor, look, and nutritional value.
The usual process is that the farmer plants a variety of fruits, herbs, and vegetables that are ready at different times through the season. Then you can pick up your share every week or every two weeks, and get whatever was ready. Spring might have peas, strawberries or asparagus and then later through the summer might have beans, tomatoes, onions or just about anything else. You get the picture.
Buying regionally is a good way to ensure this. Buying regionally does three things, Provides the biggest nutritional bang for your buck, Keeps more money in your regional community, Reduces your carbon footprint on the earth
Once you get into the habit of buying home produce, you will never look back. Not only will you be eating better, fresher and more nutritious food you will also be helping and getting to know your home supplier and producers.
Anyway, this is a good introduction into the world of CSAs so if you see a local farmer offering one; you should check it out and see what's being offered. Just remember that you are buying a year's worth of seasonal food so the cost can seem high (several hundred dollars). Considering that can buy you 20 or more weeks of fresh food, it's not that bad.
And don't think you're out of luck because you live in a big city. Many farmers who are on the outskirts of major cities will target the downtown dwellers for their wares this way. Health food stores are common drop-off points, so you can still have your share of farmer goodness even when there are no farms to be found for miles.
To act responsibly toward the earth, toward your community, and toward the health of you and your family, find a regional farmer and buy as much food as you can from them. Better yet, look for a CSA, community supported agriculture, and purchase a share. This means that every week you will receive a "share, " a box or bag of freshly harvested regional food that supports the farmer and nourishes your family. By purchasing a share, they know that they have you for a customer week after week, and you know that your family will be healthier for it.
Some supermarkets recognize how important this is to customers and they are beginning to look for local alternatives to long-distance shipping. Part of the problem is that we have become used to the availability of most food year-round that we have failed to evaluate its nutritional impact. Procuring fruits and vegetables in season provides the very best regarding flavor, look, and nutritional value.
The usual process is that the farmer plants a variety of fruits, herbs, and vegetables that are ready at different times through the season. Then you can pick up your share every week or every two weeks, and get whatever was ready. Spring might have peas, strawberries or asparagus and then later through the summer might have beans, tomatoes, onions or just about anything else. You get the picture.
Buying regionally is a good way to ensure this. Buying regionally does three things, Provides the biggest nutritional bang for your buck, Keeps more money in your regional community, Reduces your carbon footprint on the earth
Once you get into the habit of buying home produce, you will never look back. Not only will you be eating better, fresher and more nutritious food you will also be helping and getting to know your home supplier and producers.
Anyway, this is a good introduction into the world of CSAs so if you see a local farmer offering one; you should check it out and see what's being offered. Just remember that you are buying a year's worth of seasonal food so the cost can seem high (several hundred dollars). Considering that can buy you 20 or more weeks of fresh food, it's not that bad.
And don't think you're out of luck because you live in a big city. Many farmers who are on the outskirts of major cities will target the downtown dwellers for their wares this way. Health food stores are common drop-off points, so you can still have your share of farmer goodness even when there are no farms to be found for miles.
To act responsibly toward the earth, toward your community, and toward the health of you and your family, find a regional farmer and buy as much food as you can from them. Better yet, look for a CSA, community supported agriculture, and purchase a share. This means that every week you will receive a "share, " a box or bag of freshly harvested regional food that supports the farmer and nourishes your family. By purchasing a share, they know that they have you for a customer week after week, and you know that your family will be healthier for it.
About the Author:
Find a list of the advantages you get when you visit a Missouri local produce market and more information about a great market at http://www.anthonysproduce.com now.
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