Nothing Beats Buying Local Veggies

Nothing Beats Buying Local Veggies

By Marci Lutsky

If you read this column regularly, you know that I’m a major advocate for shopping local, especially when it comes to food.  As one of the founders of the Linwood Farmers Market, this is something that I feel very passionate about.  

While I shop at the farmers markets in fall, spring and summer, I also belong to a CSA. Not familiar with what a CSA is?  It stands for community supported agriculture and it is one of the best ways to support a local farm.  

I joined the CSA at B&B Farms in Egg Harbor City this year, and it was the most amazing experience.  I have already purchased my share for 2018. If you are considering doing the same, now is the time!

So why would you want to purchase a farm share if you can just buy your fruits and vegetables at the grocery store?  

There are many reasons.  By purchasing a farm share, you are supporting a local farm.  Did you ever look on the vegetables that you purchase at the supermarket and notice where they came from?  Sometimes they come from New Jersey. But more often the produce is coming from a different state and sometimes even from a different country.  Not only does that diminish the quality of what you are buying, but you also need to consider the environmental impact of shipping produce.  I must admit that one of the biggest reasons why I have a CSA share is that I love eating and cooking with ingredients that have just been harvested.  Nothing beats the taste of fresh spinach or just picked tomatoes.  

Every CSA is different in terms of pickup options and whether you can choose what you get.  In some CSA shares, you just show up once a week, grab a bag of fruits and vegetables and then head on your way.  One of the reasons why I love the CSA program at B&B Farms is because you get choices each week.  For example, they may put out bins of cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli and tell you to pick one or two, depending on the size share you purchased.  The other reason why this CSA, is such a good fit for my family is because of the experience.  You don’t just show up and grab your bag. Each week you can pick your own, depending on what they have available in the fields. It varies and includes fresh herbs, fresh flowers, green beans, tomatoes and blueberries. This is especially important for me as a mom to young children. They have so much fun coming with me each week they can’t wait to head out to the fields to pick what is available.  

I feel that it is important for kids to understand where food comes from, not just from the shelves of a supermarket.  B&B also offers extras each week for purchase. Hammerbacher Bakery is nearby and is always stocking the shelves with fresh breads. Other extra offerings include farm fresh eggs and handmade pasta and cheeses.  

Columnist Marci Lutsky and her family enjoy the benefits of joining a CSA, community supported agriculture for their fruits and veggies. Photos courtesy Marci Lutsky.

Jennifer and Ryan LaMonaca own and operate B&B Farms.  They are always present on CSA pickup days, on either Wednesday or Saturday.  Getting to know your farmer is so important. They work hard all year round to provide the highest quality of pesticide-free produce.

So why should you join a CSA now for next year?  The reason is simple.  A farm requires a lot of money all year-round. CSA shares enable them to pay for farm operating expenses like purchasing seeds, fueling greenhouses, insurance, repairs/improvements on farm equipment and hiring staff.

I highly recommend the CSA at B&B Farms.  I was initially wary of whether I would want to drive to Egg Harbor City once a week, but it ended up being something I look forward to.  If you want to explore other CSA options, you can look on www.localharvest.org or www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov I would love to hear about your CSA experiences.

Mirah Lutsky, 6, of Linwood has fun with her mom and twin brother Spencer heading out to Egg Harbor City to pick veggies and herbs at B & B Farms.

Marci Lutsky is a food blogger at Vegging at the Shore, www.veggingattheshore.com and can be reached at veggingattheshore@gmail.com.

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