December 8, 2010

Pierce County CSAs & CSA Video...

What is Community Supported Agriculture or CSA? Have you heard friends or TV folks excitedly throw these letters around and you aren't quite sure what they mean? Or maybe you are a “seasoned” CSA veteran already? Newbies and veterans alike should enjoy this trip Pride of Pierce (http://www.prideofpiercecounty.com/farmvideos.html ) took out to the farm to talk about CSA with Terry Carkner, owner of Terry’s Berries in Tacoma.

When you buy a CSA share from a local farm, you receive a weekly (or whatever your arrangement) box of farm fresh produce during their growing season. The farm gets a stable financial base for the season and you get wonderfully fresh local products and a direct connection to a local farm. Here’s an idea… share the box as well as cost and pick up duties with a family member or friend and you’ll also share in the discovery of some great new varieties of fruits and vegetables.

You could even give the gift of CSA for the Holidays. Wow. What a cool gift. This gift is an investment not only in the health and happiness of the recipient who will be munching away at the freshest foods available, but also in a healthier environment and local economy. It's a win-win.

Schedules vary and some farms now have fall, winter, and early spring shares! Terry’s Berries for instance, offers a fall, winter, and spring share--winter share beginning in January. Check out their website for sign up info and product details (www.terrysberries.com). Terra Organics, a home delivery service based in Tacoma, will also deliver a box of local products to your doorstep all year round (www.producehomedelivery.com).

Size, price, and options for pick up and drop off also vary among different CSAs. For more information, including factors to consider when choosing the right CSA for you or your family, talk to a local CSA farmer or visit Puget Sound Fresh (http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/csa.htm).

Pierce County CSAs:

Little Eorthe Farm (253) 576-8950

Orting, littleorthefarm@gmail.com

Mosby Brothers Farms (253) 939-9431

Puyallup/Auburn, www.mosbyfarm.com

Peace of the Earth Farm

Rosedale, http://www.localharvest.org/peace-of-the-earth-farm-M34663

Tahoma Farms (253) 376-8604

Orting, http://www.tahomafarms.com/

Take Root Farm (253) 891-FARM (3276)

Buckley, www.takerootfarm.com

Terry’s Berries (253) 922-1604