CSA vs Farmers Markets

Let's see.  You've read blogs, watched some documentaries and you have decided that you want to get involved with the local food movement.  Great!  I am a big believe in local food and supporting our local farmers.  I have enjoyed it, gotten to know some great people and have eaten some tasty and healthy fruits and vegetables in the process.  But a CSA is not the only way you can support local farmers and a CSA is not for everyone.  So, how can you figure out what is best for your family?  Joining a CSA or shopping at farmers markets?

First things first, let me tell you my super secret rule about CSA's.  A lot of people join CSA's to eat vegetables in the summer.  But that is NOT the purpose of the CSA.  If you go into your CSA thinking that, you may not enjoy the experience.  The purpose of the CSA is to enjoy the season's harvest.  What does that mean?  That means that you are not going to eat everything you get the week you get it and the super secret way to use up your produce is to preserve it to enjoy at off peak times. In a CSA you will be spending a lot of time preparing food that you may not even get to eat until months later.  If you like the idea of that, of spreading out your harvest through out the year, a CSA might be for you.  If you don't want to be spending extra time in the kitchen for something you aren't even going to get to eat soon, a farmer's market might be the way to go.

Second of all, a CSA is a CHALLENGE.  Like Christmas morning, you really never know what you are going to get until you open your box.  The best way to deal with a CSA is to see what comes that week, and then make a meal plan and shop for the rest of your ingredients.  This is a fun way to find and try out new recipes, but your life does start revolving around your share.  If you are the kind of person that likes to pick recipes and then shop for ingredients, you might have more luck with farmer markets.

Also, ahem, CSA's are not cheap.  You may not be able to pay these cost upfront like many CSA's require you to do.  Although the cost over time should balance out, that isn't realistic for many people.  In order to be in control of your money with less risk, stick with the farmers market.

Both options are great ones and I have used both in the past, but me, I like the challenge and I like opening up my freezer in February and finding tomatoes from August, so this year, I choose the CSA.

If you have any questions about whether it is better to do a CSA or a famers market, leave a comment.