When we moved to OR three years ago we were introduced to the wonderful world of fresh organic produce and fell in love. I also moved into organic dairy (my husband is lactose intolerant so he did not venture into this territory with me) and within a few months I started to notice a change in my body. I felt better. I just felt better! I wasn’t almost feeling sick all the time, my migraines calmed down and my periods (sorry I should have warned before starting this) became lighter, less painful, and regular. I was having problem conceiving and, after the cow hormones/antibiotics/pesticides left my body, I conceived EL with a healthier body!
Ever since then, we have tried to buy organic when we could (even though, it’s really not a too pricey option these days) and it became natural to assume that if we wanted a product there would be an organic version or alternative. And in OR there always was. After two years of shopping this way, it was a great shock to move to MI and find that the selection was fewer, and harder to find.
So this year we joined a certified organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program to alleviate this problem. We signed up for a half share a week, and last week we received a great bounty of mixed salad greens, arugula, radishes (5 varieties!) and spotted lettuce. Tomorrow we pick up our second share, and we are really looking forward to it. It seems that there are a lot of CSA programs that have sprung up around MI in the last few years, and since your local grocer doesn’t carry a lot of the items these farmers grow, the investment is really a small price to pay for great, organic, and healthy food. Our half share was 300 dollars and the program runs from June to November, with member events laced in between such as pumpkin carving, cooking workshops and member work days for weeding and other chores to help the farm (all optional, but some CSA’s offer discounted shares for those willing to help on the farm a number of days a month/week).
Our CSA, Natures Pace Organics, also keeps us informed via electronic newsletter of how the crops are doing, what will be in our share, and a recipe or two of the featured item of the week (next week is Napa cabbage – YUM!).
I have a written report on CSA’s in general, and if you would like more info on Community Supported Agriculture, I would be very happy to share it with you. Just comment below and I will be in touch!
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