Summer is my favorite time of year …
I get to enjoy some of the best reasons for living on Long Island by taking morning walks on the beach!
I anticipate the changing beauty and scents of flowers along the many paths I walk or ride my bike on!
I savor the moments of dining outdoors at some of my favorite restaurants!
But best of all, I love that it’s CSA time!!
So … what does CSA stand for?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It is a way to buy seasonal food directly from your local farmer by purchasing a “share” and becoming a farm “member”. The farm then delivers a box of vegetables regularly throughout the growing season.
By joining the CSA, you provide working capital for the farm which is a powerful investment in your health, community, and the local economy.
As a CSA member, you get to choose from the many drop off locations to go to for your freshly picked box of “gifts from the ground“.
The produce is packed in special boxes 
to keep everything fresh for hours !
How do I locate a CSA near me?
CSA’s are located worldwide for fresh fruits, vegetables, and in some cases meat and dairy from the participating farms. I recommend local harvest since it has one of the largest databases of CSA’s in the U.S. You can search for locations closest to you and your choice of interest. I was mainly interested in joining an organic farm that truly stood behind their beliefs and practices for organic farming.
I made the best decision almost 15 years ago when I became a CSA member with the Golden Earthworm Organic Farm. Matthew & Maggie Kurek are first generation farmers with a passion for vegetables and for sustainable agriculture. Through their yearly CSA celebrations (which I participated in) and weekly newsletters, I have gotten to know both of them and their growing family & crew members on the farm. Some of my fondest memories are when I took my students to the farm to better understand and appreciate where their food comes. My hope was to build an increased respect for our earth and the purveyors of it.
Farmers play a vital role in our daily life and are responsible for putting food on our table 3 times a day. Many even give back to the community in tremendous ways!
MORE THAN 200,000 POUNDS OF OUR PRODUCE HAS BEEN GROWN FOR FOOD PANTRIES & SOUP KITCHENS SINCE THE START OF OUR PARTNERSHIP
Golden Earthworm Organic Farm
When do I know what the contents of my box will be?
What’s exciting about being a CSA member is – that part is unpredictable! Although the farmers have an idea from the harvest schedule, they are quite dependent on mother nature. Most CSA’s will e-mail a weekly newsletter a little ahead of time. I usually find out within 24- 48 hours what my box will contain. Then it’s time to get creative! You will find you start incorporating vegetables into your meals more than ever!
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