Now’s the time to start thinking FARM SHARE

By msquires April 16, 2018

Spring is HERE, though the weather may not be and now is the time to start thinking about taking advantage of some of the tons of opportunities to get in on the bountiful richness of Michigan’s farms.  There are as many options for getting a weekly or bi-weekly pick up of fresh veg and fruit and even organic meats wherever you are in Michigan.

What is a CSA –  (from CSA FARMS)

CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, is a growing social and agricultural movement that encourages small farm preservation and profitability by directly linking local growers with local community members.

Basically, a CSA works like this: In late winter and early spring, interested community members sign up for a share of a particular CSA farm’s harvest during the growing season. They pay in advance which supports their farmer and reserves their “share” of freshly harvested farm produce. The share costs vary from farm to farm and often depend on variables like length of the season and products offered.  Members receive weekly boxes, or come to the farm to pick up a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.

When you join a CSA you get some pretty terrific benefits. You get…..

  • To know your farmers personally.
  • To know exactly where your food comes from (even see it growing!).
  • To eat healthful, often organically grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables.
  • To support a local farm, preserving our essential rural environment.
  • To keep your hard earned money working in your community.

CSA farms are good for the farmer, good for the consumer, and good for the land. Check out our local CSAs

Don’t cook but want to help others get access to fresh organic goodness check out this amazing group :

HEALTHY FOOD CONNECT – South Eastern Michigan 

Healthy Food Connect is a two-year initiative funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Community Foundation. Through grantmaking and a series of coordinated education and training efforts, Healthy Food Connect will support and grow exemplary existing healthy food access activities; extend the scope and geographic reach of successful programs; build on innovative activities that are testing new ideas; support new collaborations; and provide widespread educational opportunities for organizations and, ultimately, children and seniors.

Another great resource for finding farm to table options is at Local Harvest of South Eastern Michigan

Thinking about signing up for a CSA but want to learn more about the idea before you commit? Read on.

For over 25 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.

Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

So many options and all of them delicious, just one of the many joys of living in Pure Michgian.