Thu
Apr 24 2008
09:39 am

You could plant a garden, or you could buy futures in local farm produce according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

"Right now is the time for people who care about locally grown foods to buy their produce for the coming season," says Tennessee Department of Agriculture marketing specialist Jon Frady.

With Community Supported Agriculture, a farmer contracts with other people in the community to provide those individuals with a portion of the farmer’s harvest. CSA's not only help consumers save money, they also help farmers plan their crops and buy the necessary seed and fertilizer.

Depending on the arrangement, you might go out to the farm to get your produce, or meet the farmer at a community drop-off site.

Consumers typically purchase a share or a half share of a producer's harvest in advance. A full share averages about $25 per week depending on the type of produce, and will usually get you a half-bushel box of produce per week, or once every two weeks for a half share.

A spring-summer CSA share typically lasts about 25 weeks, from late May until early November. The type of produce will vary depending on the season.

Some customers can also request farm fresh eggs, milk, and other local foods to be included with their share. Some area farmers pool their products to provide customers with a complete range of local foods.

To locate a CSA near you, visit the CSA farms directory at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Market Development website.

The nearest one to the Knoxville area is Green Man Farm in Grainger Co.

bizgrrl's picture

I'm very tempted. Not sure

I'm very tempted. Not sure if I even know what to do with all that fresh stuff :)

Knoxville's Farmers' Market starts back up this Saturday, April 26, 2008, 10 AM to 2 PM. I would assume the earlier you get there the better the selection.

tennesseevaluesauthority's picture

CSAs, Gardening, Farmers Markets

Hello,

"Eleanor" and I are both actively taking part in these sorts of plans. Unfortunately, if you're not already subscribed to the Green Man Farm's CSA, then you're out of luck for this season. They sold out of shares back last fall.

We have also been at work turning our front yard into a vegetable garden where we will have six raised beds (48 sq. ft. each) for a variety of vegetables including heirloom tomatoes, beans, cabbage, peppers, radishes, carrots, basil, parsley, cilantro, garlic, onions (green onions and storage onions), cantaloupe, squash, beets, kale, and a few other things.

However, since the CSA is sold out and if gardening isn't your thing, I strongly encourage you to shop at the farmers' markets in the area (the Market Square Farmers' Market opens its 5th season this Saturday-- 26 Apr) or visiting local farms to buy produce. The prices are almost always less expensive than the same products at the chain supermarkets with the following added benefits:
(1) fresher
(2) less or no chemical additives
(3) profits go directly to the farmer rather than to middlemen

There are some good opportunities out there to eat locally and make a positive impact on your health, our wallet, and your environment.

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