Do you wish you had the time to go to a farmer’s market to buy fresh, local produce? If you become a CSA member, they will do the shopping and delivering for you!

This is a great time of year to become a member of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA). They differ in how they are set up but essentially, a CSA member purchases a “share” of the farm’s crop at the beginning of the growing season. This way, the farmers have guaranteed revenue and each CSA member can count on fresh produce throughout the growing season. Some CSA’s deliver your box of recently picked, seasonal produce directly to your home while others have a pick-up location or on-farm pick-up.

If you need a little motivation to eat more fresh, local vegetables and fruit – there is nothing more inspiring than having gorgeous produce land on your kitchen counter each week. Many CSAs include recipes on how to prepare the produce you receive and also offer other items like milk or eggs – saving you trips to the grocery store.

And if you are worried about receiving too many vegetables – find a CSA that offers bi-monthly deliveries instead of signing up for the standard weekly box. Or start off sharing it with a neighbor, friend or co-worker. You’ll be eating better, saving money, and helping the planet and your local economy. Visit Local Harvest to find a CSA in your area and celebrate Earth Day by becoming a CSA member!

For ideas on how to integrate more vegetables into your daily eating habits, check out the recipes page of my website for tips and recipes.

And for those extra vegetables you aren’t sure what to do with? I recommend finding recipes that don’t rely on specific ingredients such as chili, stews, and soups so that you can take advantage of whatever is in season. It’s more economical and efficient to prepare these kinds of dishes.