Strategies for Managing My Weekly CSA
Notes from a 2015 CSA Member
Being a CSA member is the most effective step I’ve taken toward healthy eating.
Managing the box makes healthy eating much easier for me, because I organize meals around a box of fresh organic vegetables 32 weeks a year. I don’t need to spend time wandering around the produce aisle searching for well-priced, delicious-looking produce, many times in vain. Instead, each week I’m treated to a wonderful treat when I open up my CSA box of luscious-looking vegetables of the most amazing variety. I’ve heard some folks lament they don’t know what to do with a supply of fresh vegetables every week. There are several strategies I use to help me get the most enjoyment from my CSA and use every bit so nothing goes to waste. |
Plan my meals around the box. When I receive the weekly email with a list of what’s to come or open the box at home, I make a list of what I can make with the ingredients (e.g. egg plant parmesan, Greek tabuli with cucumber, tomato and basil, black bean chili). I follow this direction for the week.
Don’t go to the grocery store until after I pick up my CSA box. This way I’m not tempted to buy things I don’t need. I save money and avoid waste by focusing on the healthy food I already have in hand.
Cook a lot of different dishes at one time. Then I store them in the fridge for ready- to-eat meals later in the week. I freeze any extra for a winter day when I’m longing for some healthy vegetables. Freezing extra vegetables is much easier than I ever imagined. It’s a great way to extend the season all year long.
Cook the leafy greens at the first opportunity. This way they’re not wilting in my fridge or taking up a lot of room. This also makes them immediately available to consume for an easy, healthful lunch or dinner.
Search for recipe ideas. When faced with an ingredient I’m not familiar or looking for a new way to prepare an old standby, I use the plentiful resources available at www.root5farm.com/recipes.
Share with friends. I invite friends for dinner to enjoy the harvest, and send them home with a welcome gift of an organic vegetable sample. When visiting a friend, I bring a sample of fresh vegetables in a nice bag, instead of a bottle of wine or other typical house gift.
Don’t go to the grocery store until after I pick up my CSA box. This way I’m not tempted to buy things I don’t need. I save money and avoid waste by focusing on the healthy food I already have in hand.
Cook a lot of different dishes at one time. Then I store them in the fridge for ready- to-eat meals later in the week. I freeze any extra for a winter day when I’m longing for some healthy vegetables. Freezing extra vegetables is much easier than I ever imagined. It’s a great way to extend the season all year long.
Cook the leafy greens at the first opportunity. This way they’re not wilting in my fridge or taking up a lot of room. This also makes them immediately available to consume for an easy, healthful lunch or dinner.
Search for recipe ideas. When faced with an ingredient I’m not familiar or looking for a new way to prepare an old standby, I use the plentiful resources available at www.root5farm.com/recipes.
Share with friends. I invite friends for dinner to enjoy the harvest, and send them home with a welcome gift of an organic vegetable sample. When visiting a friend, I bring a sample of fresh vegetables in a nice bag, instead of a bottle of wine or other typical house gift.