Posts Tagged ‘Community Supported Agriculture’

Farm to Plate: Fresh Food the Farmer’s Market Way

Monday, July 11th, 2011

by Laura Poland & Erin Weber (OSU Intern)

Time for fresh fruits and vegetables! Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or rural areas, farmers’ markets supply those fresh delectables straight from the farm.   Farmer’s markets make healthy, locally grown foods easily accessible! Farmer’s markets are a great opportunity to meet the farmer who grew the fruits and vegetables.  We often love the idea of getting all of these fresh ingredients, but the question is how do we pick the right ones and better yet, what do we do with them?

One of the main things shoppers need to know before going to a farmer’s market is the produce seasons. It is important to know what produce grows in your area and when. Click here for Ohio’s seasonal produce guide. When planning when to go to the farmer’s market remember if you want the best produce, come early, and if you want the best deals, come late!

Now that you are home with your bags of fresh produce, and feeling dazed and confused about what you are going to do with it, let’s take a minute and plan some healthy meals.  There are many websites with fun and delicious recipes to try or you can add some color to a dish of your own! Try this United States Department of Agriculture website for recipes specific to farmer’s market products. Many farmers’ love to share their own personal recipes, all you have to do is ask.

The opportunity to try new things is one of the many fun parts of going to a farmer’s market. Don’t be shy about trying something new!  If you walk past a booth and see something you’ve never seen before, take a chance.

Another great aspect of shopping at farmer’s markets is that you are purchasing the freshest of the fresh! Spending time on flavoring your dishes is unnecessary. Let those natural flavors shine through! It will save time and money on extra ingredients.

Not only is fresh produce better for your health, but it also supports local farmers and makes it possible for more farmers’ markets in the future! Find a local farmer’s market here. Enjoy the fruits and vegetables of the season!

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CSA – The Latest Trend

Monday, May 3rd, 2010
Photo by: Culinary Delights Farm

Photo by: Culinary Delights Farm

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  With the increased awareness of healthier living, people are asking questions about the best places to get produce without going to the grocery store.  Our farmer’s have responded by making their fresh produce more accessible to communities by offering goods at Farmer’s Markets.  These markets have been gaining popularity and prove to be the best tasting, generally lowest cost, and most reliable way to obtain produce.  Not only do the consumers benefit, but the farmer’s enjoy the profit as well.

While this system seems to be thriving, people still lack the time to shop, let alone shop at the grocery store and a farmer’s market. Thus, CSA programs were developed.  This new approach to benefit from local farming is sweeping the nation.  Consumers have the option to purchase “shares” from a neighboring farm and “reap the harvest” of the farm during the growing season. One can even buy enough to can the food for the winter months.  After the produce is purchased, the farm gathers your “share” and has it ready for pick-up at a location convenient for you.  The farm has the responsibility of choosing a variety of the freshest foods for you to receive.  As a result, you are able to enjoy new produce as well as your family’s typical staple items.  For lesser known vegetables, some CSAs will provide recipes for ways to cook the new vegetables.

Prices vary based on the amount of shares purchased and whether one chooses to get both vegetables and fruit from the farm.  Typically, one share of both fruits and vegetables is about $22 a week. Payment plans are available for either pay-in-full or monthly payments.  Additionally, the consumer can choose whether or not to purchase the produce weekly or bi-weekly and the number of months to receive the harvest.  Most CSA programs practice organic standards as well.

The Rite Bite Wellness Center is planning to become a pick-up location for The Wayward Seed CSA program. Please stop by or call the Rite Bite to find out more information. You can find more info about The Wayward Seed farm at www.waywardseed.com

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March is National Nutrition Month

Monday, March 1st, 2010

This year’s theme is, Nutrition from the Ground Up. Although the ground continues to be covered in a white blanket, soon we hope to start seeing the first signs of spring.  March brings us the start of spring and National Nutrition Month.  This year the focus is “Nutrition from the Ground Up”.  As we look to spring, it is the perfect time to consider fresh sources of fruits and vegetables.

Are there ways you could grow your own fruits and vegetables where you live? Gardens come in all different shapes, sizes, and even containers. An assortment of herbs (three of my favorites are basil, oregano, and thyme) in a container on your patio is a perfect way to start.

Don’t have a green thumb?  Let the professionals help.  Most communities offer farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture (CSA). If you’ve never heard of CSA’s before, according to Local Harvest it is described as “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, or basket of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.” Local Harvest is a great resource for finding farmer’s markets and CSA’s, as well as local farms.  Check them out at www.localharvest.org.  For local resources also check out Local Matters, Local Ohio Foods at www.local-matters.org.

Now, you have some great resources for including those fruits and vegetables in your diet.  If you wonder how to store them, keep reading. The majority of fruits and vegetables should be stored in cold storage at a temperature of 32° – 40°F.  Onions, Okra, Peppers, Potatoes, Ripe Tomatoes, and Watermelon should all be stored at a cool temperature (45°- 50°F).  And finally, Pumpkins, Hard Peaches, Mature Green Tomatoes and Winter Squash should be kept at a warm temperature (55°- 60°F).  These are only suggested storage temperatures.  Potatoes should also be protected from light.  For more information about storage and nutrition go to: www.aboutproduce.com.

You still have a few weeks to plan your strategy for incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your nutrition plan. Be sure to include the whole family in the planning and/or visits to the farmer’s markets!

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