Nature's Way

NATURE'S WAY
FROM FARM TO PLATE, HOLISTIC HEALTH EXPERT KELLY SCOTTI HAS A FRESH IDEA—
ONE THAT JUST MIGHT SAVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR FAMILY AND THE PLANET AS WELL

I love being in nature, especially in the summer. I love
the smells, the feel of sun on my face and the food that
is fresh in the season. There is nothing better than
making a meal from scratch with locally grown, freshly
picked fruits and vegetables. But there is no vegetable
garden in my backyard since my schedule is packed and
I definitely don't have a green thumb. So, how can a family get the local organic produce it craves, especially when many of the local farmers markets don't carry locally grown, organic food? Answer: Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group.

A friend of mine from the Holistic Moms Network (www.holisticmoms.org) recommended I join a (CSA) group a few years back, touting it as an inexpensive way for me to get organic, freshly picked, local and seasonal produce. In addition to finally solving my no-time-for-homegrown dilemma, I loved the idea that I would be able to support the a local farmer with a fair wage. The u-pick was an unexpected bonus. My son loves to come with me to the farm to pick raspberries, beans and tomatoes, and it gives us both a way connect to where our food comes from as well as to each other. Having a ready-made community of like-minded people who recognize the importance of whole foods and organic farming methods as a way to save our planet is pretty cool, too.

Why?
For most people in the US, there is a disconnect between where our food comes from and the actual processed, additive-ridden foodstuffs that most of us eat out of boxes or bags. Interestingly, only two percent of the population grows food for the other ninety-eight. Moreover, most produce travels between 1500 and 2500 miles on average from farm to plate, losing nutrients along the way and consuming copious supplies of oil. CSAs, in contrast, help people reconnect with the land and form a vital understanding of the relationships connecting people, food, the planet and health.

Most CSAs have the same goals: to provide the highest quality produce at a reasonable price, to grow the food in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner, to provide safe working conditions and fair wages for the farmers that are not dependent on harvest yields, to preserve the genetic diversity of food crops, to limit destruction of the soil, and to serve as advocates for organic farming in this age of agri-business.

Even better, being a shareholder at my local CSA has helped me to slow down, share my gratitude for the bounty of our land, spend more time with my family, cook more, eat seasonally and be in nature; all things that are basic priorities for my life. I invite you to visit your local CSA to see how you can make a difference in our planet’s health and your own.

How?
The premise is simple: you buy a share in the harvest of a farm prior to the season and then every week during the season you pick up a box of what was picked fresh that week. As I mentioned, there are also crops where members can pick for themselves. The average season for a CSA in the Northeast is 25 weeks, from early June to mid-November and the average weekly cost for a share is $20-25 a week for a family of four. Most of the CSAs in our local area are not certified organic due to the cost to officially get certified. However, most still use organic farming methods, which is safer for the environment, the farm workers and your family, as no synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are used. Some farms are biodynamic, meaning that they use an approach to agriculture which takes the basic principles at work in nature into account to bring about the earth’s balance and healing. Most CSAs have events that involve the community and members of all ages, including a childrens' garden, volunteer days, pot luck suppers and a newsletter that shares farm happenings and recipes.

How can you get involved?
Visit any of the following sites for more information about how you can join a local CSA in your area:
www.foodroutes.org
www.localharvest.org
www.greenpeople.org/csa.htm
www.biodynamics.com/csa.html
www.farmtocity.org

Kelly Scotti, HHC, is the Founder and Director of Flying Dragon Wellness, www.flyingdragonwellness.com, a nutrition and wellness counseling practice in Bucks County, Pa. She's Board Certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and obtained her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. She and her husband also run an online baby boutique for boys, www.ohboybabyboutique.com. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please email Kelly at flyingdragonwellness@yahoo.com.