Live Here Oak Park

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Christopher Richardson

Local Food (CSAs)

I've been reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food and am sold on the importance of eating locally. That is, eating food grown locally, not just frequenting the neighborhood burrito joint (that's another discussion).

In the book he mentions community supported agriculture programs (CSAs). Basically you buy a share in a local farm, or group of farms, and regularly receive a box of seasonal produce. I found a few lists of nearby CSAs (see below for two), but would like to know if anyone here has had any experience with one.

Thanks!

CSA listings:
http://www.thelocalbeet.com/2009/03/20/2009-csa-guide/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/eat-local/Content?oid=924486

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Paul Permalink Reply by Paul on February 10, 2010 at 9:38am
We were part of a CSA for a year about 10 years ago. It was fun not knowing what you would be getting until the box arrived, but there was also a lot of waste -- plus at the beginning and end of the growing season you tend to get a lot of dark leafy crops, which take up a LOT of room in the fridge. We stopped, largely because of the waste, but also because of the options of places like Whole Foods and the summer farmer's market, where we could control better what we bought and still support local farmers.

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amy bernstein Permalink Reply by amy bernstein on February 10, 2010 at 5:43pm
I agree with Paul- we too, belonged to one for a couple of years. It was nice because it delivered to the door, but even when we went to half a share, we had a lot of waste.

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Becca Permalink Reply by Becca on February 10, 2010 at 7:47pm
I think the reason I've never looked into CSAs is because I don't want to get stuck with a box of beets (or other objectionable vegetable)!

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Christopher Richardson Permalink Reply by Christopher Richardson on February 11, 2010 at 12:04pm
That could be part of the fun: learning what all you can do with a particular crop. I like the idea of the risk and forced creativity. Realistically: yeah, I'd be throwing away a lot of food too. Hell, I just threw away a loaf of bread from Prairie Bread Kitchen before I even opened it.

Still, I love the idea of a CSA and am looking forward to the Kings Hill presentation.

Becca said:
I think the reason I've never looked into CSAs is because I don't want to get stuck with a box of beets (or other objectionable vegetable)!

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J Permalink Reply by J on March 11, 2010 at 11:26am
This is an Oak Park-based organization that deals with buying local, including CSAs and supporting local farms. The site seems to be a bit outdated in terms of the pdfs that list local farms and CSAs in the area, but there is contact information readily available. I've dealt with Seven Generations Ahead before, and they've always been very responsive. They've also partnered up with local OP businesses and schools in the past, including MSCM -- which I know is a favorite spot of folks on this board.

http://www.sevengenerationsahead.org

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