If the term CSA brings visions of communist era youth groups, you are only partly correct.  CSAs, otherwise known as Community Supported Agriculture, enable the average person to become a seasonal shareholder in a farm, or a group of farms.  Could it be any easier than this to become a “farmer”?  CSA shares let you enjoy the farmer’s bounty without the long grueling hours and dirty work.

For me it is my chance to remedy my angst over never being sent to work on a kibbutz in high school!

Our mild climate in Portland enables us to have access to tons of vegetables and fruits all year long.  But many people find themselves in a produce rut, unable to branch out, often for suspiciously vague reasons.  

By joining a CSA you get to experience a wide variety of produce.  Being exposed to vegetables you would not normally buy at the grocery store is a great way to expand your home cooked meal repertoire.  I also love that most CSAs provide recipes, either online or when you pick up the produce.  

There are tons of CSAs in the Portland metro area; so choosing just one may be the hardest part! I found a great web site with a comprehensive listing of the CSAs in our area.  The Portland Area CSA Coalition will guide you in the right direction, BUT NOW is the time to act since many of the CSA summer shares sell out very quickly.  

I have friends who have participated in several different CSAs – Sauvie Island Organics, Viridian Farms and 47th Ave Farms.  I have heard only good things about these farm shares.

Choosing which CSA to join will take a small amount of homework on your part.  Here are a few key things to consider when picking a CSA:

1.    Find a farm share that fits your budget.  Farm shares vary in prices depending on if you pick a full or half share.  Some CSAs will give you credit for your volunteer time at their farm.

2.    Read the farm’s web page to determine where the pick up location is.  Some CSAs have different options for picking up your bounty.  Some farms require you to go out to their farm while others have scheduled pick up sites in the metro area.

3.    Also check the farm’s web page for the types of produce they typically provide each week.  Most CSAs will list what a typical box of produce will entail.

4.    Many farms allow you to visit in person, which may help to narrow down your choice.

5.    Lastly, don’t forget to look at the farm’s web page for the other types of shares available, such as: flower shares, cheese shares, egg shares and some even have meat shares.

By joining a CSA you are also taking a risk.  Farming is not a guaranteed business – there are many factors that can hinder crops.  Much depends on the whims of Mother Nature.  I like what the 47th Avenue Farm has on their website regarding the risks: “While a share entitles you to the bounty of the harvest, it also means a share of the risk. On occasion a crop may fail due to inclement weather, pests, disease, or other conditions beyond our control. Our goal is to bring you, despite these challenges, an abundant and diverse harvest throughout the season.”   I could not have said it better.

If you are not quite ready to join a CSA, there are other options available to get more greens in your life.  I joined Organics to You this past winter (see the Chinook Book coupon to get a second bin free when you sign up).  Organics to You delivers to YOUR house locally grown organic produce.  OTY’s web site has a wide variety of bins to choose from: bin for one, family size bin, fruit only bin, kids bin and an especially for babies bin.  I also have OTY deliver organic milk to me, which has been a lifesaver many times.  OTY will also deliver other groceries (coffee beans! Oh yeah!) – check out the huge list on their web page.

I also have a friend who has her produce delivered from Raw Raw Raw, here in Portland.   The Raw Raw Raw Produce delivery originates from the lovely City Market in NW Portland ((35 NW 21st Ave, 503-221-3004).  The deliveries are on Tuesday and for now can only be arranged via phone or in person at the market.  

Spring is around the corner --- what better time is there to invite more LOCAL GREENS into your life?