As I have lived throughout the Western U.S., I have been blessed to enjoy many different CSA’s from the California Central Coast to the Sonoran Desert to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The differences have been amazing, but the similarities lie in all of the incredible perks & benefits of being a part of a Farm Share (aka CSA: Community Supported Agriculture).

I first started to fall in love with CSA’s as a personal chef when I would peak into boxes having had little previous knowledge of what to expect and then I spent the rest of the day whipping up five dinners using as many of the vegetables as possible. It was such an adventure!

There are plenty of reasons to invest in a CSA and here are my own top ten that I have learned:

1. Easiest way to buy local and to eat seasonally. A CSA is an opportunity to purchase your food with full transparency. In most cases, everything was grown on the farm you have chosen. Of course, you will need to double check and verify before taking my word for it depending on the farm share you choose, but unregulated farmers markets and organic grocery delivery services can be spots for resold produce from who knows where.

2. Save the Planet. You can recycle. You can compost. You can do whatever you can to tread a bit lighter on the planet. But, one of the most brilliant and delicious ways to save the planet is by making sure your food is grown as close to home as possible. Typically I prefer food, that hasn’t traveled more miles than me. (Of course, there are exceptions… hello, my beloved avocado! I hope you enjoyed your trip from California!)

3. You will Cook More. This quickly becomes required after you bring home a bundle of freshly picked vegetables. Farm fresh produce needs attention sooner rather than later and since you are getting produce the following week usually you will need to enjoy all of that goodness within a surprisingly quick seven day window. With Lilly’s Table, I focus on bringing in produce that you would likely receive through a CSA, such as dark leafy greens, kohlrabi, roots such as a beets & turnips and more.

4. Who’s your Farmer? Chances are you will be able to answer this question with an actual name and not in a hypothetical way. You may even get to shake their hands and high five them for all of their amazing work.

5. Support your Local Economy. When you support your local farmers, you ensure dollars are circulating within your own community. Your financial support also encourages farms to STAY within your community. As farmers retire not many young people are starting farms partially because it is an incredible challenging, financially erratic business. Also, Big Ag in this country receives more federal assistance than do small farms. When you pay for a CSA in advance you are sending a fabulous message that you want to see local food, small farmers, and the local economy thrive.

6. Save money. In the long run, when you cook & eat all of the produce provided you will save money. Especially, if you are comparing your local produce to other similar options from farmers markets and green grocers. Also, with the added health benefits, it is easy to argue you will be saving money on future medical bills.

7. Constant Surprises. When you garden, you can plan, plant, plan some more but it isn’t until food is ready to harvest that you know what you will really be eating. When you buy into a CSA you are buying into the promise that every gardener and farmer enjoys: the blessings of nature. Most CSA’s give you a list of food to expect before you pick up, but until you see baby beet greens, tat soi or kohlrabi in your own kitchen you may not really know what you are getting.

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9. Additional Member Perks! A lot of CSA’s want to engage you in ways beyond your weekly share and will hold special events, farm-fresh dinners, pumpkin patches, u-pick events and more. The average Farmers Market shopper will not necessarily benefit from these extra perks. Also, I know farmers who will reserve the extra special produce for their CSA members rather than selling  them at a Farmers Market. Through your loyalty and support, most farmers are excited to share the abundance.

10. Delicious. Honestly, folks, you will have to experience this one for yourself, but the fresher the produce the better the taste. One bite of a true baby carrot with the green tops dangling down will give you an entirely new attitude about vegetables in general. Go now, let the taste rock your world and find a CSA in your community today!

Now that you are convinced of WHY you need to join a CSA, please check out my list of all the Questions to Ask When you are Looking for a CSA. I also include some of my favorite places to help you find a CSA.

What benefit is the greatest selling point for you to start a CSA?
What other reasons did we miss?
Please share in the comments below!

Cooks seasonally. Eat consciously. Live well,

Chef Lilly