There is a lot of buzz about shopping local, supporting small businesses and farm to table restaurants. The term Locavore is a new term that essentially describes a lifestyle that includes eating locally grown & produced food. There are many reasons why you might choose to be a locavore – from wanting to eat seasonally in tune with how food is grown, to eliminating processed foods from your diet. Reducing your carbon footprint, supporting a local farmer, knowing your personal supply chain and where the food comes from to avoid things like pesticides, GMOs and other items associated with big industry of food are also big reasons people choose this lifestyle.
Living in Burlington County, New Jersey makes being a locavore easy. There are several farm markets, places to buy free-range eggs and local honey. There is even a wonderful CSA in Chesterfield.
I am a member of Honey Brook Organic Farm in Chesterfield, New Jersey. Honey Brook is a Community Supported Agriculture or CSA farm. Being member of a CSA means that you pay the farmer in advance of the growing season and each week, during the harvest, you get to pick up a portion of crops that are ready. It is a fantastic arrangement if you want to eat fresh, seasonal and local produce. I have been a CSA member for the last 7 years, and buying a home close to one was an important factor when I chose to live here.
I want access to fresh locally grown vegetables without having to grow them myself. I do not have the time or talent to grow my own sustainable garden but, I want to have the vegetables. So... Honey Brook was a perfect choice.
“What's wrong with the grocery store?”, you may ask. The short answer is nothing is wrong with it. But being a CSA member is so much better.
First, there is the cost. With the CSA, there is an upfront fee paid at the beginning of the year (payment is made in January so the Farmer can purchase, plan and plant) Then, from May to November, I get a weekly supply of just-picked vegetables and fruit that is plentiful enough to eat while fresh and freeze and can for the winter months. The cost of what I receive is easily 4 times as much as buying the same produce at a store.
Second, is the variety. I usually select from 3 kinds of summer squash, 4 varieties of eggplant and peppers, and 7 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. There are different varieties of watermelon, ground cherries, several kinds of kale & radishes & onions and potatoes. I also get several varieties of fresh flowers, which is an added bonus for the well-being of my family and beauty of my home. For someone who enjoys cooking, it's a little like going to the toy store, or getting a basket of ingredients from Chopped. It helps me explore food and become a better cook.
And the third and most important reason for me, is the impact going to the farm has on my son. Going to the farm is fun. He loves the chance to try all of the new things. He enjoys going to the field to pick peppers or green beans and then deciding how we'll cook them for dinner. Getting outside and sometimes a bit dirty and seeing where the food comes from is an experience that can only be found on a farm.
So, in the email today I got my renewal notice from Honey Brook Organic Farm. They have three options to choose… you choose based on the size of your family and eating habits. This year they have added an option for a mini share which would be great for a small family not interested in freezing or canning, and they have added an option for sweet corn. I can't wait to see how the corn turns out. Hope to see you on the farm!
