I'm Joining a CSA!

One of the things I am most looking forward to when we move to Ann Arbor is being able to FINALLY join a CSA. I have wanted to do this for a couple of years now, but there aside from one or two small-scale farms here in the Toledo area, no one is doing it in NW Ohio. I found one last year, but the woman didn't return my phone calls, so I just gave up.

OK, what is a CSA? I realize not everyone knows, so here is a definition from Local Harvest (a great and very important website, by the way):

Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, coffee, or any sort of different farm products.

A CSA, (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season.

I went on Local Harvest yesterday to find a CSA that serves the Ann Arbor area, and there were 12 to choose from! TWELVE!! I was actually overwhelmed. I had to make a chart to go over the various benefits! I think I found the one I want to do. As soon as my house sells (positive thinking - this WILL happen), I am subscribing online to the Summer Season Single Share package. Woo hoo!

Not only am I excited for bountiful amounts of glorious, organic produce, but I am also excited for the blog worthiness of a CSA. Every week I'll be getting interesting vegetables that will need to be prepared. Fun, fun, fun.