CSA's

I returned to my gym regimen today.  That works well because I'll have the weekend off, during which Kat, Peter, and I will go to the 3R's on Saturday (sponsored by the San Diego Council of Divers).  I'll continue my exercise regimen Monday morning.  Yesterday, I renewed my Compass (transit) pass for thirty days, so I'm set for taking the bus to Westfield UTC, where my regular gym is located.

I was careful not to buy too much at North Park Produce this week because we received our share from the Be Wise CSA, and it always has really great stuff.

I highly recommend joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  They are subscription programs in which consumers share the farmer's cost of production, and in return receive installments of that which is produced.  It's direct and keeps money in the local economy.  The consumer often pays less than what they would have spent at a traditional big box grocery store, and the farmer makes more than if they were a supermarket supplier.

Essentially, it's a very nice way to stay connected to the earth and to one's locale, as CSA's tend to be local.  My last CSA membership was with another local farm that primarily focused on vegetables.  My current CSA, Be Wise, located in Escondido, in northern San Diego County, grows a great variety of fruits along with healthy vegetables.  I appreciate that it's all grown organically, but not because I'm a food snob.  I realize that the nutritional difference between organically grown produce and conventionally grown produce is negligible.  I do, however, appreciate the "alternative" growing methods and pest controls used in lieu of fossil-fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides which leave a chemical residue on the produce.  The farmers and the consumers both win when CSA's thrive.  If not with Be Wise (if you live in San Diego), I recommend joining one of (if there's more than one, as there are in San Diego) one's local CSA('s), especially if you live in a growing area as rich as the one I live in.  I understand that not everyone lives in San Diego, where produce is grown year-round, but in almost every region (of the United States), there are a growing seasons for various produce.

My final word is this:  If not planting your own garden, engage a local farmer by joining their CSA, which will support the farmer and to allow you to share in that farm's bounty.