Community Supported Agriculture

Through various means of inspiration, Eric and I have slowly been changing our diet.  We're trying to be more aware of where our food comes from to both a dietary and economic degree.  Two of our more substantial efforts have come in the form of where we shop.  We're now getting eggs from some friends with backyard chickens, purchasing all of our meat from the local farmer's market (ie. local, homegrown), and getting fresh produce from our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  Here's a little blurb on CSA:

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

We "ordered" our CSA several weeks ago and have been anxiously awaiting the season's start.  Today was that day, folks!  We're thrilled to have the veggies and excited for the nutritional value.  Now we just need the recipe's to accompany our new variety of greens.

We purchased a small share.  Here's our first basket:

Included Today:

Swiss Chard

Deer Tongue Lettuce

Radishes

Strawberries

Tatsoi

Lemon Balm

Sage

Each week will have a slightly different variety.  Today was week one of twenty.  We've been told next week's will have more strawberries (it's still the beginning of the picking season) and strawberries are always welcomed :)  Today's lunch, compliments of Eric, included this wonderful salad topped with egg, pecans, radishes, fresh strawberries and fresh pineapple.  YUM!  He also found a recipe for Browned Tatsoi Pasta for later this week.  I'm so glad he's my husband!

And we also picked up these lovely flowers at the farmer's market this morning :)