Why is a box CSA a good option?
Participating in a CSA ensures that members receive fresh, local produce every week. Pick up is often convenient to member’s neighborhoods, not easily affected by weather like a farmers market, and quantity and pricing is reliable. CSA membership requires very little effort for the member but provides weekly, fresh food and a relationship with the farmer and farm. Although the best option is dependent on your schedule and lifestyle, there are many ways to access locally produced food in your community. Why is local food better? The obvious benefits of purchasing local foods are the assurance of knowing where one’s food is produced and in what manner, avoiding toxic chemicals prevalent in commercial agriculture, and reducing the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of food over many miles. A less discussed benefit is the greater nutritional value of locally produced food as opposed to what is available in the supermarket. The vitamin and mineral content of produce is dependent on practices throughout the entire food supply chain. Variety- Supermarket varieties of fruits and vegetables have been chosen primarily for high yields, growth rate, and transport-ability. These varieties are not chosen for nutritional quality or taste. Local farmers emphasize quality, variety, and nutritional value. Many strive to grow heirloom and less common varieties of vegetables in order to preserve these species and expose customers to different tastes, unavailable in the supermarket. |
Production Practices -
Small-scale, local farmers are known to place greater emphasis on soil health and are more likely to practice the use of cover crops and composted manures as fertilizer, when compared to large-scale, conventional farming. Vegetables grown under such conditions tend to have a higher nutritional content. This is because organic fertilizers release nutrients more slowly, which enhances the nutrient uptake of plants. Ripeness - In commercial agriculture, produce is generally harvested before peak ripeness to allow for travel time, mechanical handling, and longer post-harvest life. These vegetables may eventually achieve full ripeness however the nutritional quality may not fully develop. When fruits and vegetables are allowed to vine ripen they receive increased exposure to sun, thus enabling continued nutritional development. Handling - Commercially grown produce is handled by many people and machines before arriving at the supermarket. The nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables is affected by bruising and temperature fluctuations. Produce grown by local farmers is handled by very few people, is cooled in the proper way to remove “field heat”, and is harvested within 24 hours of delivery to the customer. Locally produced food is thus more nutritious because, it is allowed to ripen completely, is minimally stressed by handling, is grown in more nutrient rich soil, and is provided to the customer at the peak of freshness. For supporting information see: Frith, Kathleen. "Is Local More Nutritious? It Depends." Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Health and the Global Environment (2007): 1-4. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://chge.med.harvard.edu/resource/local-more-nutritious>. |