If I had a penny for every time I heard “I don’t have time to go to the farmers’ market”, well you know the saying. True, though they are rampant here in SoCal, they’re on during specific times that may not be convenient for everyone and if you live in more rural areas you may not have access to them at all. I get it. But I’m still pushing for LOCAL ORGANIC food, no matter how you can get it. A lot of supermarkets nowadays are carrying some organic produce so it’s defo becoming more accessible to Joe Public. This, very conveniently brings me to the latest craze in this movement, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) and box schemes (as it’s called across the pond). It’s the most convenient way to get fresh, local and seasonal organic food delivered from farm to your doorstep. Literally.

We recently signed up for our CSA box program from Farm Fresh to You, a 240-acre farm located in the Bay Area as well as in the Imperial Valley (closer to Los Angeles). They also work with local area farms to ensure year round variety. I’ve been told we are receiving produce within 24-48 hours of being picked. Can’t beat that, especially since I don’t have to leave the house to get it!

Another beauty about shopping this way is that you’re more apt to try new foods. Since you’re getting seasonal food you’re bound to end up with ingredients you’ve never used before, which broadens your horizons and taste buds. In our first box we received lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, a variety of sweet peppers, grapes, cherry tomatoes, oranges and apples. I’m telling you, the grapes were the best I’ve ever had and overall the quality was great. Though I use a lot of red bell peppers in my cooking, sweet peppers are not so common for me to use. That’s what I mean about trying new things–it forces you to think outside the box, so to speak.
(Check back on Saturday for a recipe–I made a delicious roasted sweet pepper hummus for m’lady.)

I bet you’re thinking it’s got to be expensive, right? First off, let me say your health is worth every penny. Secondly, it’s not bad! Every other week we receive a small mixed box of fruit & veg which costs us $23, though we do tend to plow through it in less than a week. We’re considering trying the regular box, which is $31.50 or switching to weekly deliveries. Do you think that’s expensive? I can easily blow 20+ quid at the farmers’ markets per week, what about you? Think about how much you spend a week at the grocery on produce, whether it’s organic or not. Then think about how “fresh” your produce from the grocery really is. Some food travels hundreds of miles before you get it and goes through many stops along the way, with every stop getting a piece of the “money pie.”

(Image and great article: Consult Mark Blog. Click photo to read article.)

In an article published by The New York Times, some shoppers are even becoming shareholders in local farms cutting out the middlemen completely. Hmmm…maybe I should look into that! But for now I will stick to shopping at my farmers’ markets and with the box schemes.

Have I peaked your interest? Here are some links I’ve put together to help you find an organic box delivery in your area.

USA:
Local Harvest helps you find local organic farms, farmers’ markets, Co-op’s, CSA’s and more.
Ireland:
Sustainable Ireland Box Schemes
Absolutely Organic
Bord Bia find local farmers’ markets
England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland:
Soil Association find local CSA’s
SmarterFitter a great blog post highlighting fruit & veg boxes. Here’s my favorite part about their post referring to why it’s worth it:

• We get to eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
• We get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Our food doesn’t come packed in a whole bunch of extra earth-polluting plastic like it does at the supermarket
• We get to support local farmers
• We get to feel good about the food we eat and where it comes from

Couldn’t agree more!

Are you a member of a CSA? How do you feel about it? Recommend your favorite to our readers!

And if you live in California, here’s a coupon for new customers (use promotion code #6164) for $5.00 off  your first delivery from Farm Fresh to You. Don’t forget to mention me! Cheers!

Beets. I love them. They get a little messy but somehow that adds to their charm. The taste is totally worth the effort, nothing a pair of gloves and a sponge won’t take care of. Not only are they brilliantly sweet and juicy, they’re also great for your heart’s health.

February is American Heart Month, dedicated to bringing awareness to cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation’s No. 1 killer. Browse the web and you’ll find ample lists of heart-healthy foods, most of which you probably already include in your diet, like salmon, oatmeal and spinach. But did you know beets have been dubbed the new spinach?

The beet has a long history of cultivation stretching back to the second millennium BC, which also includes a history of medicinal purposes. According to Wikipedia, the Romans used beetroot as a treatment for fevers and constipation, amongst other ailments and Hippocrates advocated the use of beet leaves as binding for wounds. In Europe, beetroot has been used as a treatment for cancer for several centuries. Nowadays beets are still used for their detoxifying properties but studies are also showing beet juice helps lower blood pressure and is a great source of folate, which is necessary for healthy fetal development and for a healthy cardiovascular system.

The most common beets are dark red, but at the farmer’s markets you might find golden beets and even white beets. All have a similar sweet earthy flavor. I like to buy them with the greens attached, more bang for your buck if you will. The greens are also nutritious, containing notable amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Just be sure to trim the beets and store them separately. If left attached to the beet root, the greens will continue to draw moisture from the roots drying them out. Use the greens in any recipe that calls for dark leafy greens.

Beets are one of those highly versatile veggies that can be simply roasted as is or added to a risotto. They make a delicious heart healthy vibrant soup or even a filling for ravioli. The options are endless so go on get yourself to the market and play around.
Make sure you let me know what recipe you decide on and how it pans out.