MNN - Mother Nature Network

In the middle of a summer in which all 50 states hit record highs in July, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll be eating this winter. Unless you’re really great at preserving food, chances are that your local eating (and mine) will diminish in the winter. One way to make sure you get some local goodness in the colder months is to join a winter Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group.

 

You may think that CSAs are just a summer thing, but most regions have farms that offer some sort of CSA throughout the colder months. Some run all winter long. Others run many months past the regular October ending of many CSAs.

 

Just today, I got an email from JAH’s Creation Organic Farm in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., about their winter share program. Even though it’s early August, it’s time to sign up for their winter program.

 

Once the now seemingly endless supply of zucchini and sun-ripened tomatoes are just fond memories, leeks, broccoli, cabbage, broccoli raab, Napa cabbage, and many other greens will still be growing in their fields. Their winter CSA runs through December, bringing fresh vegetables to locals right into the holidays.

 

If you’d like to continue to support local through as much of the year as possible in your region, look for a local winter CSA. Local Harvest is a great source for finding CSAs. You can also do an online search for the name of your region and the phrase “Winter CSA.”

 

Are you a member of a winter CSA? What goodness comes in your box in the colder months?