I am a big proponent of healthy eating habits. Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly skeptical of the U.S. food system with higher amounts of non-natural ingredients used on/in our food products. It’s a bit frightening even to see the creation of synthetic whole foods themselves.
My skepticism about food comes from my benchmark, my Italian grandparents. My grandparents emphasized the need for good food, and that meant naturally and locally grown food. Many people, and I think millennials in particular, are not afforded this perspective of healthy eats. Unfortunately, many only know and have experienced the current state of our food system, a system warped by food companies and lobbyists where companies are influencing our government to include ingredients that have no business being in our food. As a result, most don’t understand what real food should taste like. Soooo, what to do, what to do…Because of my family background, I’ve looked for ways to replicate the Italian way of life here in the U.S. and so I’ve put together a quick summary of how to approach alternative ways to source healthy foods for you and your families.
Recently, I’ve become familiar with community supported agriculture or CSA. A CSA is a program that allows city residents to have direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown locally by regional farmers. When you enroll into a CSA as a member, you’re purchasing a “share” of produce from a regional farmer (http://www.justfood.org/csa). CSA’s have increased in popularity over the past few years and it’s because they are a great food supplement for members. With winter here, now is a great time to start doing your due diligence for the start of the CSA high season in the Spring.
What you can expect from a CSA:
- A supplemental supply of fruits, veggies, eggs, meat, and/or milk.
- Season starts in Spring and lasts approx. 12 weeks and spans from late June — beginning Oct.
- Typically CSA costs start at a few hundred dollars and go up from there. Payment is due at the beginning of the season and prices vary depending on what you’re receiving (payment will allow your CSA farm to plan for the season).
- Weekly shipment: Sometimes meats have more infrequent delivery schedules.
- CSA’s will deliver your share locally to a convenient drop-off location in your neighborhood/area.
Simple things to look for in a CSA:
- A full crop list ensuring the CSA will offer what you want and need.
- A farm that will allow you to ask questions about their processes and to take a tour of their facilities. If you receive any push back, this is a red flag. Squash it!
- Safe growing practices.
No pesticides, herbicides or insecticides (i.e. better to have insect control by birds/bugs/animals allowing for nature to take its course).
Organic and reasonable/minimal amounts of fertilizer (i.e. manure or other natural forms). Keep in mind that some areas like Connecticut require manure for calcium as it balances high soil acidity. Remember plants grow when pH is balanced.
Soil based planting with little tillage to ensure strong soil structure so nutrients are consumed properly (vs. other mediums for planting).
- An experienced grower — a first year CSA and farmer will most likely experience ‘growing’ pains.
- Organic certification helps establish credibility with members and potential customers. Farms that are not certified can be reputable as well.
Setting your expectations:
- Understand germination periods. Some plants grow quickly while others taking more time (i.e. tomatoes take longer than squash to grow)
- Yields vary based on a number of factors. In the event, you get a lot of one type of produce, for example, learn how to jar or freeze, to consume at later dates. On the flip side, sometimes farms don’t get enough of a crop or anything at all because of wet or drought conditions. It happens… that’s just nature for you!
- Consider half shares if your CSA offers it or split with your CSA with a neighbor, friend or family members to keep costs reasonable.
You and your families can take more control of your own health and understand where your food is coming from. It will be a great thing to teach your children as well. To help you further in this endeavor, I’ve provided the U.S. government site for CSA’s for you to learn more.
https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/community-supported-agriculture
I’ll provide additional options for healthy eating over the course of a few writing pieces. Please be sure to follow me here and subscribe on http://www.peterfiorita.com/.
Enjoy in the meantime!
