Community Supported Agriculture is way of purchasing local, seasonal food directly from the farmer. A farmer offers a certain number of shares to the public. Typically, each share contains seasonal vegetables and sometimes fruits but other farm products may also be included. Consumers sign up for a membership and receive a weekly or bi-weekly share from the farmers. If you would like to find a farmer who delivers to your neighborhood you could go to www.localharvest.org and search based on your zip code.
In order to become a member you have to belong to a local group to whom the farmer supplies the weekly or bi-weekly produce. I live in Hoboken and one of the farmers that deliver to Jersey City/Hoboken neighborhood is Purple Dragon. Their produce is organic and you can read more about them on www.purpledragon.com.
Today, I picked up my first share of freshly picked organic vegetables. Purple Dragon delivers to Jersey City where my group co-ordinator receives the delivery of vegetables and fruits and divides the share for the members. We are a total of 16 members in our group. The bi-weekly cost is 49 dollars for 15-30 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables. In my share of vegetables and fruits today, I got Multi-colored Kale, Lettuce, Green Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Potatoes, Organic Dill, Tomatoes, Oranges, Apples, Pineapples, Bananas and a new herb that I have never heard of before called Chickweed. I am super excited to cook with these veggies and I will definitely share my experience with you but you have to taste it for yourself.
So, on Earth Day, be green and support your local farmer.
Love the veggies!
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