Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food. 5 Online Sources for Local, Organic Food Delivery. Dinner Series/CC BY 2.0 While ordering a box of fresh produce through a local farm in your Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network is a fantastic way to have organic delivered, it's not the only option.
Whether you don't have the space to grow your own fruits and vegetables, can't make it to your farmer's market's Saturday-morning-only hours, or are looking for more variety, these large-scale online organic grocery delivery services can fill the gap by sending organic, all-natural produce and products right to your door.
You can't beat the convenience, but you should keep a few points in mind when you're ordering: Double check that the offerings are seasonal and local -- if you see bananas in your box in January in New York, you may be eating organic but you're not eating local; look for a service close to you to cut the shipping footprint; and be prepared to compare the prices and quality to what you could get on your weekly store trip. 1. Door to Door Organics aMichiganMom/CC BY 2.0. Community Supported Agriculture. Thinking about signing up for a CSA but want to learn more about the idea before you commit?
Read on. For over 25 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer. In brief: Advantages for farmers: Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow Advantages for consumers: Variations. The Perennial Plate | Adventures in Sustainable Eating. The Perennial Plate | Adventures in Sustainable Eating. Funding for Permaculture Farmers: Permaculture Guild. Funding for Permaculture Farmers: Permaculture Guild. Home | permaculturecu.org.