Flowers In Gardendale

CSA is Community Supported Agriculture, which is more than just fresh produce. It is an opportunity to participate in an environment that provides sustainably grown produce and to learn more about the community and ecology that provides these products for us.

Growing up on the west coast, I was accustomed to fresh fruits and vegetables all year - from my garden, farmers' markets and superior grocery store selections. Moving to the Midwest was a culture and cooking shock for me. Yes, I could get what I wanted at the grocery store, but not with the same assurances that it was the freshest produce available. Frozen vegetables are fine, but there are times when I just want fresh.

Seven years ago, we joined a local food co-op, which provided the quality, but wow the prices! It was an extravagance feeding a family natural or organic produce. Last year, I worked at the customer service counter at one of the co-op locations. I watched customers come in each week returning a large empty box to pick up another one filled to the brim and more with the fresh produce of the week from their CSA farm. The produce was gorgeous and the customers enthusiastic about their experience.

In April, I found a farm near us that offered half shares. There is some risk involved because much of the crop yield is weather dependent. We thought this was a risk worth taking. The list of potential crops for the 2008 season was just what we wanted, along with the fresh flowers and eggs. Additional veggies or tomatoes are available with a simple request.

There are only two of us at home now, but we still need to make that food dollar stretch. We know we will have to fill in with store purchased produce, but this share is only costing us about $17.00 a week.

It is now midway through our CSA season share and we can only say one thing - WOW! The produce is just incredible. You can smell the fresh veggies and herbs in the car on the way home. The only fill-ins so far are tomatoes, but they are coming soon. We miss the spring mix and leafy lettuces. They are our favorites for salad, but we will see them again as we get to cooler weather.

We have experienced kale, kolhrabi, fresh pac choi for our stir fries, and yummy sweet corn. The basil and peppers are amazing and you really can taste the difference in the fresh from the farm organic food. Crazy Daisy Farm has grown for over 30 years without pesticides and have repeat customers each year. I can tell you we will be right there putting our name at the top of list.

If you have an opportunity to share in the CSA experience in your area next area, plan ahead and sign up. The bounty of the harvest is worth it.

Judy Ferril is a freelance writer in Minneapolis. Are you a stranger in your own kitchen? Do you think eating healthy means no fun or flavor in your meals? Judy is the self-trained executive chef for the Ferril family and loves to share her passion for cooking and healthy foods with others. Join Judy at for fun and healthy local food options. Her newest site, , will be out of the oven soon. Come see, stretch your imaginations and enjoy new tastes. Judy Ferril