1.) Do you like to cook or hope to learn to cook more?
Joining a CSA means that you will have a box full of veggies every week. If you do not enjoy cooking or feel that committing to cook a few times a week is too much for you, then a CSA is probably not for you.
CSAs are designed for people who want to cook at home. We will help make the transition as easy as possible for you by providing resources. You will receive recipes and meal ideas each week to guide you along the way.
2.) Is having a relationship with a local farmer important to you?
A CSA is a unique experience. When we shop at the store, we don’t know the farmers, if the food was grown locally or if it was imported from another country. We don’t know how it is grown or processed.
If you have a longing to get back to a time when people had real conversations and you knew exactly who is growing your food. A CSA is a good fit for you.
If this is something that you are indifferent about, a CSA may not be for you. Being a supporter of a local farm and their family is a huge part of belonging to a CSA.
3.) Are you ready to try new foods?
Don’t worry. Most of what is in your box will be very familiar to you. However, some of the items in your box may be completely new. A CSA will push you to try some new things and you may even discover that you like veggies you’ve never considered before.
If this thought terrifies you, a CSA is probably not the right fit for you. But if you get excited about the possibilities of learning to cook and eat new things, this is the place for you.
4.) Are sustainable practices important to you?
At our farm, sustainability is important to us. We value building our soil using natural methods. We don’t use any chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Instead we use beneficial insects, compost, and cover crops.
If you care about these things too, our CSA will be a good choice for you and your family.
5.) Are you willing to be patient with the process?
It can take 1-2 seasons to feel like you have mastered the CSA box every week, which means that you will have food waste, especially in the beginning. This is normal. If changing the way you eat is your goal, it takes time.
Are you willing to come into this process with an adventurous spirit?
Joining a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, has pros and cons and it is important that you know if it is a right fit for you! It is not for everyone and that’s ok! Ask yourself the following questions. By the end you will know if becoming a member of a CSA will work for you and your family.