3 Barriers this Dietitian Overcame to Finally Join a CSA

As a self-proclaimed “sustainabilist” and locavore, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m a newbie to the CSA box program. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a paid subscription to a farm’s produce for the season (June - October). Each week, subscribers will receive a plentiful box of seasonal and local produce. The prepaid arrangement also makes it a source of financial security for the farmer. Helping them invest in seeds and plant crops at a time when there are many expenses and few sources of revenue for a farmer. Truly a win-win for everyone, so why was I so late to join the game?

Here are the 3 Barriers I Overcame to Finally Join a CSA:

1. Too much produce!

Considering it’s just the two of us at home (plus the dog), I imagined being buried in produce every week. Really? Too much produce? Can a dietitian really say that?

Solution: some CSA programs offer different share sizes—what a concept! But if not, ask a friend or family member to split the box with you. Or learn proper preserving techniques to continue eating locally in the upcoming winter months.   

2. Variety?

Will I turn into a leek if that’s all I eat everyday for a whole growing season?

Solution: Sometimes I forget we live in southwest BC – each box comes with a promise to be packed with a diverse amount of produce each week as the season progresses. Worst case scenario, my culinary horizons will be expanded as I prepare different dishes with the same products. Plus, I’ll get to try new produce I typically wouldn’t buy. Also, some CSA programs offer a substitution of a particular vegetable…I’m assuming this is for all the cilantro haters out there! 

3. Pick-Up locations

I had this preconceived idea (without doing any investigation) that the pick-up locations would be out-of-the-way in Timbuktu. Solution: there are so many local farms now participating in the CSA program, I bet there’s at least one farm that has a pick-up location in your neighborhood. I’m in Ambleside, and lo and behold, there’s a pick-up location for Crisp Organics at Park Royal every Wednesday.

To help you overcome your own CSA barriers, for the next 19 weeks (the Summer Harvest Box season) I’ll post every week: what was in my box, the recipes I used to consume all the produce, or the preserving techniques I did to continue eating that particular produce in the upcoming winter months. Worst case scenario, I’ll let you know what I had to compost or give away to my produce-loving family & friends.    

What are your barriers?

Click here for my first week’s CSA!

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