CSA

Today Jake and I joined CSA, which is an acronym for Community Supported Agriculture.

Here is why we decided to join:
It all started one friday in the late afternoon at our local Apple Market while we were still living in Shafter. I was 7 months pregnant and very hungry. VERY HUNGRY. Jake while not being 7 months pregnant did not want to deal with the repercussions of my hunger was set to the store to get my essential food staples.

1. 7 peaches
2. 7 apples
3. 7 nectaries
4. lettuce
5. 4 zucchinis
6. 3 yellow squash
7. 7 avocados (yes I was addicted)
8. 4 artichokes
9. hot cheetos (dont judge, I gave the baby what she wanted)
10. klondike bars 

I remember this day because I was so hungry I waited outside for him to come back; pregnant, hungry, barefoot and in the backyard/driveway. He pulled up 15 minutes later, looked at me like I was a ravage beast waiting for my food. I stood at the trunk waiting for him to open it from the inside as he did everything but open the truck (putting the away the ipod, dusting off the console, organizing the glove compartment). Finally he opened the trunk and I began to rummage through the bags looking for just about anything to quench my hunger when I came across a clove of garlic. 

Immediately I said, "Jake! Why did you buy this?? I can't stand the smell (I've had an issue with the way garlic smells apart from being pregnant which makes anything 100 times more potent). Ignoring what I said and in the most Jake-like emotion filled, point driven, way of saying things said something that stuck with me forever. " Can you believe Apple Market has the audacity of carrying garlic grown from CHINA?" "Well, their tomatoes are from Canada. It's a free market I guess", I said while taking a bite from an apple while opening my bag of hot cheetos" "BABE" he said, "-there is a garlic factory down the street, on 99 and Lerdo highway. WHAT A WASTE." "Why did you buy it then?" I asked back "Because I want to replant it and have my OWN garlic" 

I walked away knowing that in our little tiny yard this wouldn't happen, but at the same time thinking of all the implications of his statement.  Maybe the garlic wasn't from China, Maybe the Garlic was grown in the US then shipped to china for packaging and then shipped back to the United States to be sold. Or, maybe our garlic was just, simply Chinese garlic that Apple Market bought for much cheaper. Either way, it is a waste. 

I began to notice this more and more. Tomatoes from Canada,  bell peppers from Mexico,  apples from Chili. Sure, I love having Mangos all year round but... what about OUR ability to plant and sustain food? What about supporting local growers?

I recently watched  Food Inc. which really changed my perspective on what we eat, and where it's from. That's why we decided to join CSA. For about 15-20 dollars a week we will be getting fresh, LOCALLY grown vegetables and fruit that are in season through TD Willey Farms. Every wednesday I drive to the pick up point and get my box of food. 

Of course I will still go to the grocery store, but it wont be nearly as much. And as soon as our back yard is up to par, we will be planting our own food as well.  Here's to a new beginning!