I realized that one of the best, most exciting parts of being part of a CSA is that I would be forcing myself to eat fresh, seasonal produce. Just about all of the people I spoke to told me that they include a list of what is in the box that week, as well as recipes that include the different items, because a lot of times there might be certain things in there that people might be unfamiliar with. I thought that was amazing! It would add a whole level of adventure to dinner planning each week, all based around what was currently growing on a farm nearby. I can’t help but assume that we would automatically be eating healthier by following that principle. This is the way people used to have to do it before there were grocery stores full of produce from all corners of the globe, available on any given day throughout the year.
As a result of attending the fair that day, I truly felt like I was in touch with a whole other world that I was unfamiliar with previously. There is another way to shop for food, another way to cook, all based around a local mindset. It might involve a shift in my thinking and in my habits (going to a farmer’s market for most of my food rather than a grocery store), but I think it will be for the best in the long run, without question. Will it be more expensive? Maybe slightly, that has yet to be determined–but I figure adjustments could be made in order to make it even out. Turns out Binghamton has so many opportunities for supporting local farms, and I just wasn’t taking advantage of them before.
I say we all rally together this year to try and support local farms, whether it’s through joining a CSA, or just making a point to go to the farmer’s market on a regular basis. There’s a whole other world out there of delicious, locally-grown food that is right at our fingertips, all we have to do is take advantage of it. So here’s to eating local in 2013!! :-)
If I have piqued your interest in possibly joining a CSA, I would highly encourage you to check out some of the farms that were represented at the fair that day. Here are some of their names and websites, where you should be able to find out more information:
- Hemlock Creek–http://www.hemlockcreekcsa.com/
- North Windsor Berries–
http://mysare.sare.org/mySARE/assocfiles/959229NWB%202013%20CSA%20flier.pdf (<<This link is to their actual CSA flyer, I couldn’t find a website)
- SPICE Farm–http://www.spicefarmcsa.com/
- Karin’s Organic Produce–http://www.localharvest.org/karins-organic-produce-M29400
- Norwich Meadows Farm– http://www.norwichmeadowsfarm.com/
- Sacred Seed Homegrown Organic–http://www.sacredseedfarm.com/
- Early Morning Farm– http://www.earlymorningfarm.com/
And last of all, here are some Binghamton Farmer’s Markets to check out:
- http://www.binghamtonfarmersmarket.com/Home.html —This one takes place downtown, Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:00am-2:00pm, mid-June through October
- http://www.localharvest.org/otsiningo-park-farmers-market-M28923 –This one is at Otsiningo Park, Saturdays from 9:00am-1:00pm, May through November!
- http://www.facebook.com/binghamtonwintermarket –This is the Otsiningo Park farmer’s market, but indoors (for the winter months)! Who knew!? It takes place in the Metrocenter, on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month through April, from 9:00am-noon.
- http://www.townofunion.com/documents/seasonal-flyer.pdf –This takes place at Highland Park in Endwell, every Tuesday from June 4-September 24th, from 4:00-7:00.
