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CSA makes me a successful locavore

Posted at 3:43 PM on August 14, 2008 by April Luginbuhl (3 Comments)

Just going to the farmer's market isn't enough. I need a CSA to be a successful locavore. I need the challenge of a set group of ingredients to cook with. I'm more creative in the kitchen when told I have 5 lbs of zucchini to work with, than if you tell me I can cook what ever I want. We were able to join a CSA, called City Fresh. It started mid-July and I'm not sure how long it will run. The shares are great, and it is organized throughout the region. There are pick up locations throughout the city and suburbs. What is different about this CSA is that it is a combination of the efforts of farms and urban agriculture. Unlike other CSAs I'm familiar with, it doesn't help build a rapport between consumer and farmer. I have no idea who is producing this food for me; I just know the conditions under which it is produced. They have an emphasis on urban agriculture, and the conversion of vacant lots into food production lots. According to their website, "The goal of City Fresh is to build a more just and sustainable local food system in Northeast Ohio." I find this to be an exciting goal indeed.

The lack of rapport between producer and consumer is a little disappointing. Part of the fun of being a locavore is getting to know those who grow my food. I think it helps build community. On the other hand, by the farmers working through this organization, fresh, local food is easily available all over the city, with some of it grown in the city, and there are alternate rates for low-income customers, to ensure residents all over the city have access to local produce. Maybe this is one case where it is better to have lots of farmers participating, and less information about each one of them. Oh, and one other great attribute about City Fresh is that you pay week to week, so you don't have to pay for every week. Should you pay for a week, and then not pick up your share it is donated to a local food bank.

I think the efforts of City Fresh sum up my first impressions of the local food scene in Cleveland. There are a lot of dedicated people working to help ensure that we as a region can help ourselves by feeding ourselves.

Does anyone else have a CSA like this or do you get your local food through urban agriculture? What other unique attributes do your CSAs have?

Hopefully soon I'll have information on a herd share I'm looking into. I'm excited to find out more about that.

Comments (3)

Dear April,

I found that the happiest cooking I did was when I was a part of a CSA, Like you I enjoyed the challenge of being creative with what is given to me that week.

I think this city wide effort sounds really cool, what a wonderful idea for tying together so many community needs....probably as the program evolves you will get to know some people, maybe they will even organize events for people to come help out with stuff.....Hope you and baby are doing well.

Best regards, Vera

Posted by vera h schabicki | August 14, 2008 4:45 PM

I know my CSA farmer personally. He delivers the produce every single week, and sends a newsletter about once a month. He also has farm events throughout the year.
It's part of the appeal of a CSA for me. I don't know if I would like your CSA's approach as much.

Posted by Dawn | August 15, 2008 11:10 PM

I have been pretty happy with my CSA here in Boise for the last two summers but it is my first experience also with a CSA. I also like the knowing my farmer(s) and exploring their lands and seeing their fields and flocks.

Besides doing a CSA, they (Peaceful Belly) also has booths as several local farmers markets and supplies produce to our local cooperative store as well supplying a couple of local restaurants so they are very active in the community and their reputation is outstanding.

Does your CSA allow for volunteering? Maybe a way to gain some of the rapport you are looking for is to help with the deliveries to the pick-up sites which might give you a chance to talk to the food suppliers....

Good luck!

Posted by Scott | August 18, 2008 9:42 AM