Benefits of Participating in a CSA and Farmer’s Market
Love Fall Vegetables
I just picked up the most gorgeous vegetables this week. I love fall and eating seasonal vegetables.
Growing up, my mother participated in a local co-op, which allowed us to eat fresh organic local produce. I have so many fond memories of walking the co-op and the delicious meals my mom cooked from our fresh selections of local produce.
Today, I still love to walk the local farmers market and picking up produce in season. I also participate in a local CSA from an organic farm.
Benefits of Eating Seasonal
One of the major benefits of shopping at your local farmers market or joining a CSA is that you eat seasonally. Why does eating seasonal matter? Eating seasonal allows you to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, fresh from the farm. When you eat seasonally, you are eating the freshest produce. Not only do these fruits and vegetables taste amazing they maintain a higher source of nutrients. I'm sure you have experienced the difference between a fruit picked straight from a bush or tree versus one picked up at a store. There's no comparison in the flavor and health benefits! Eating seasonally also encourages creativity.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
The difference between shopping at the farmers market versus a CSA is you don't get to choose your produce. Each week you get a selection of what is ready for picking. At first, this may be overwhelming, I know I didn't know what I was going to do with all the varieties of vegetables, but over time I grew to love the challenge of how I was going to use them up. I found myself roasting vegetables I never roasted before, combining vegetables I never would have combined, adding them to soups, salads, and raw. Now, I can't wait to find out what will come in each week's share. I'm excited to come up with new ways to integrate them into my weekly meals. I have also found that belonging to a CSA I crave more vegetables than before. Some nights I only want to eat my cooked vegetables because they are so flavorful and satisfying. We all can benefit from eating more veggies! I know I can.
Support Local Farmers
Another major benefit of shopping at a farmer's market or CSA is you are supporting local farmers. To ensure continuous access to high-quality local produce, we need to keep the demand for the farmers to continue to grow organic produce and harvest their crops. I highly encourage you to join a CSA today or make it to your local farmers market this week! You will not regret it! I guarantee you will find more creativity in the kitchen, added flavor, and tremendous health benefits. Check out my easy roasted vegetable recipe, perfect for a special occasion or a side to any meal.
Grace and Peace,
Bridget Kilpatrick
