My program at ECU and discussions with local farmers and farmers markets introduced me to the idea of Community Supported Agriculture programs. Right now Americans are paying a very small fraction of their income for food compared to what they have paid historically. As a result, farmers have been suffering financially and food in the grocery stores is just not as fresh. I grew up eating food fresh out of my mom's garden and eating sustainably without knowing I was eating sustainably. This past Summer I decided to sign up for a CSA from Beausol Farm in Pittsboro. I looked at a few, what they had to offer, and how much they were for how long. They had the most variety for the cheapest amount over the longest period of time. We ended up eating kale, boc choy, AMAZING tomatoes, strawberries, basil, parsley, and so much more that I can't even think of right now. It was fresh off of the garden and my money went straight to the farmer.
Now I'm in Greenville, NC. You see a ton of farms on either side of the road no matter how you drive into Greenville. A lot of them are cotton, tobacco, and soy but where are the vegetables being sold? There is one CSA in Greenville that I know about and it's the Locavore Market that draws from several farms in the Eastern, NC area. Through that same site we also found Nooherooka farm. They sell beef and pork in their CSA. I've never cooked a beef stew, beef stir fry, or short ribs. So through this CSA not only am I supporting local farms and farmers, I'm getting to learn about how to cook foods I never cooked before.
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