Since COVID, many have decided to grow their own food because it’s cheaper, it’s easier to gather, and it’s fresher. It also reduces your carbon footprint on the planet because you do not have to drive to the store. But, if you don’t have the time, space, or your veggies are being eaten by deer, squirrels or groundhogs, you should think about the next best thing; joining a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
CSA is a system for purchasing produce where you buy into the season ahead by paying for a share of the harvest in late winter or early spring, and then picking up weekly baskets of produce from June to November. This gives the farmer a cash flow to get the season started, and guarantees you fresh produce each week.
Some foods, especially fruits and veggies, lose nutrients during transportation and storage, making local options usually more nutritious. Signing up for a CSA share is another great opportunity to expose yourself to local foods that may be new to you, like hakarei turnips, shishito peppers or heirloom tomatoes!
There are two CSA’s in the Media Area:
Robin Hill Organics – you can pick up your share at local homes in Media, PA.
Red Hill Farm, Aston, PA – you pick up your share at the farm, with pick your own flowers and berries.
The Ruth Bennet Community Farm in Chester, PA is committed to providing Chester with increased access to organic produce. To fulfill this mission, they grow their own vegetables as well as buying produce for food distributions, which they were selling at farmers markets for Chester residents. In response to COVID, they are only doing free food distributions to help members of the Chester community. The Ruth Bennet Farm is part of the Chester Housing Authority.
Check out the Media Eats Local Guide, CSA section to find a farm near you or local delivery/pick-up options.
Eat with the Seasons, join a CSA!
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