|
home »
lifestyle »
sustainable living
Sustainable Living
Healthful living implies sustainable living. In
order for us to be healthy and to sustain our health
into the future, we need to cultivate foods in ways
that are renewable for the earth, the plants and
soil, the animals, and the community. Community
supported agriculture is a sustainable way to grow
the healthiest food for humans and the planet, while
reinforcing the growers to continue this way of life
for the long term. Farmers markets are another
way to support the grower, community, and environment.
Sustainable agriculture is organic AND is sustainable
for the long term. Some of the attributes are:
- Vine and tree-ripened fruits and vegetables that
provide maximum nutrient content (and flavor) and
the absence of any artificial “ripeners”
- Grown with organic fertilizers added back to
replenish the soil (for sustainability) and provide
the highest nutrient content in the produce
- Biodynamic farming that uses natural “pest
control” by growing plant varieties that
attract natural enemies like lady bugs eliminating
the need for chemical pesticides
- Farmers that raise (and partner with other farms
to provide) pasture-raised chickens, eggs, raw
milk, and other animal products for a broad selection
to the customer, optimal nutrient content, and
intelligent utilization of land and resources
- Some (such as Live Power) are even petroleum-free
on the farm, employing horses and solar power to
run the facility. Only one local trip is
made by truck to drop off the produce to a central
drop-off spot. Minimizing the “10,000
mile salad” phenomenon of the long and multiple
transportation trips needed to bring “cheap” produce
to our table.
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
CSA farms are community-supported farms. They
provide a weekly delivery of organically grown produce
directly to consumers during the growing season (often
spring through fall, but some are year round). Consumers
pay a subscription or membership fee for the food. Additionally,
CSAs provide more than just food; they offer ways
for consumers to become involved in the community
(education, environmental, and human) that support
the farm.
CSAs vs. “Box Deliveries”
CSAs are different than “box deliveries.” CSAs
are typically single farms or a small group of farmers
who offer the food grown on their farm. Other types
of box deliveries often are a middleman, centralizing
food from different farms and delivering it directly
to consumers. Box deliveries often deliver
directly to your home and are flexible – you
pay and cancel deliveries as needed; where as CSAs
are memberships and you typically pay for the full
growing season. CSAs often have more community
involvement. CSAs are more direct from the farmer,
but boxes are an alternative for those that still
want organic produce delivered to their door.
Why CSAs?
CSAs support farmers directly. There is no
middleman. The price the farmer deserves goes
straight to the farmer. This supports the farmer
to make a living through providing the highest quality
foods available to the consumer at a cost that is
fair to the farmer and consumer. They also
cut out extra time normally required with a middleman,
so produce is vine and tree ripened and delivered
at the peak of nutritional content. It also helps
support the local economy.
For a list of San Francisco bay area CSAs, check
out Wise Food Ways
For a list of farms nationwide, try NewFarm.org
Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ markets are another way to shop locally,
support farmers, and eat fresh organic food. There
are many farmers’ markets. Get familiar
with those in your area. Not all farms at farmers
markets are organic – so take notice. Additionally
some are more commercial (and expensive) than others. Check
out several markets and see which offer the selections
you desire.
Bay area guide to farmers’ markets
| 
