You can find farm fresh food right in our neighborhood by joining a CSA. A CSA or Community Supported Agriculture is a way to eat more vegetables and support sustainable agriculture by becoming a member of a local farm. It’s kind of like joining a gym (but with tastier benefits). You “join” a farm, pay a fee to the farmer for a share of that farm’s harvest, and instead of spinning classes or weight machines, your primary benefit is healthy vegetables (and sometimes fruit). Farmers harvest your food each week throughout the growing season and deliver it to convenient, neighborhood pick-up sites.
To find your farmer, take a look at the City of Portland’s map of neighborhood CSA pick-up sites. The map also includes contact information for farms, the length of the farm’s growing season, and whether or not the farm accepts SNAP benefits.
To learn more about Community Supported Agriculture, the Portland Area CSA Coalition’s website (www.portlandcsa.org) has information about how to find the CSA that right’s for you. You can also email CSA questions to caylor@portlandcsa.org.
Farms are beginning their seasons now, but many have openings for new members. It’s not too late to join a CSA and find your farmer today.
