Yet Another Reason to Consider Joining a CSA
August 26, 2008 by Steph
I’ve previously highlighted some of the benefits our family has experienced since joining a Community Sponsored Agriculture or CSA group to expand our food horizons. New research published in the recent Wisconsin Medical Journal provides further reason to add more fruits and vegetables into your family’s diet.
This study tracked fourth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade students in Wisconsin public schools. Some of the students received in-school snacks consisting of fruits and vegetables while the others did not. After three months, all the students were asked if they would be willing to try new fruits or vegetables. Those students who had received the snacks were more willing to try a new item than those who had not received the snacks. The research also showed that the younger students were more willing to try new items, showing how important it is to expose children to a variety of healthy foods early.
Joining a CSA is an easy way to add variety to your family’s food choices. You’ll receive farm fresh produce, which is always tastier than food that has been sitting on a truck for days. Many CSAs are organic so you’ll limit your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals. Your family’s diet will enjoy a wider variety of foods as well. To find a CSA in your area, visit Local Harvest or the Eat Well Guide.
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Thanks for recommending the Eat Well Guide on your blog! I intern for the EWG, and we’re adding new CSA’s all the time! Did you know that Eat Well has teamed up with the Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, to issue a Local, Organic Thanksgiving Challenge? We’re inviting people to take a spin on the Eat Well Guide to find local food and cook at least one local (preferably organic) dish for Thanksgiving, and share recipes at the CU site. Read more about it at the Green Fork. [http://blog.eatwellguide.org/2008/11/take-the-local-organic-thanksgiving-challenge/]
Thanks so much for the info, Tabitha. We’ll have to add some of our favorite recipes to the CU site. My husband makes a mean swiss chard frittata with our CSA produce and eggs!