Greens Ready for Harvest for CSA at Common Root Farm in Derwood
The answer is almost certainly yes- but read on for caveats and some myths debunked.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sign up time is upon us now, hoop houses across Maryland are full of tender little plants just waiting to be sown in the field. Joining a CSA is buying a stake in a farm's harvest in advance of the growing season. Each week throughout the season, you pick up (or are delivered) a box of whatever is ready for harvest. We will run quickly through the well-familiar pros of this sort of set-up that anyone considering a CSA already knows:
More Money to the Farmer ~ Freshest Food ~ Connection to Community ~ Food Discoveries ~ Non-mealy, real deal tomatoes that someone else weeds
So is a CSA for everyone? No - in the interest of really enjoying the experience you have to know that a CSA is a commitment for a number of months. A committment to pick up (or have delivered) the box and eat or cook and eat its contents. So- if you are not planning to cook (or learn to cook) at least 3 nights a week a CSA is not for you. You might solve this by splitting the CSA with a friend. Said friend can also split the pick-up duties.
For those willing to take on the challenge and reap the rewards - we debunk a few myths that keep folks from trying a CSA.
Myth 1: "I don't want to have to ______ every week. " (drive way out to get it, have to work on the farm, have no choice of what I get, eat just vegetables, etc.)
There are as many types of CSA as there are farms. There are farms for those looking to pitch in and work or those that just want the box to show up. There are farms with big shares, small shares, egg shares, meat shares, flower shares, honey. Looking at our list of CSAs will help you find one that is right for you. If you have questions- just ask the farmer.
There are as many types of CSA as there are farms. There are farms for those looking to pitch in and work or those that just want the box to show up. There are farms with big shares, small shares, egg shares, meat shares, flower shares, honey. Looking at our list of CSAs will help you find one that is right for you. If you have questions- just ask the farmer.
Myth 2: "CSAs are expensive"
CSAs are actually a pretty inexpensive way to get really high quality produce. The breakdown is between $15-20 per week- you get way more, and higher quality for your money this way. That being said, the balance of the cost is usually due at one time. Some farms split up registration costs- see the list to learn more.
Myth 3: "There's no way my kid will eat _____." (Beets, Chard, etc.)
Give them a chance. It's said that a new food can be introduced 15 times before a kid will try it. New findings are coming out about better involving kids in growing and preparing food and the increased healthy eating that results, this is the reason school gardens are so important for our youngest eaters. The dinner rush is often a crazed time, but knowing the farmer and being involved is even more critical for kids than grown ups. One particular 5-year-old member of the MCA family will approach the dinner table each evening asking "did Farmer Mike grow this?" A great article on picky eaters that gave this mom of a pasta-terian hope. MCA staffer Kristina Bostick is sharing her family meal cooking adventures with a year-round CSA in a series called "How do I use all that...?"
In summary- a CSA is not a one-sized fit all deal and there is probably a farm out there that matches your needs. If you are willing to cook a bit and try something new, a CSA is probably for you. We would love to hear your experiences - info@mocoalliance.org
