Community-Supported Agriculture Farms Help Promote Sustainable Food Production
Seasonal ingredients sourced locally are likely the freshest and most flavorful. Before farmers markets return to the community, you might have heard discussions about CSA subscriptions—purchasing a share of a Community-Supported Agriculture farm in return for a box of seasonal produce (some farms also offer meat, eggs and dairy) every week throughout the growing season.
CSA farms promote sustainable food production; many participating farms are also certified organic. CSA farms list the produce they grow each season as well as details of their subscription share size; some CSA farms even offer recipes and cooking ideas on how to use the seasonal ingredients. If you like the idea of knowing where your food comes from and perhaps skipping the weekly trip to the grocery store altogether, joining a CSA farm could be a good option for you.
10 Fruits and Vegetables to Eat in Spring
We selected 10 spring produce items from the USDA and Fruits & Veggies—More Matters websites. Incorporate these fruits and vegetables into your diet this spring:
1. Arugula
2. Asparagus
3. Broccoli
4. Mango
5. Mushrooms
6. Onions
7. Oranges
8. Rhubarb
9. Strawberries
10. Watercress
Here are some ideas on how you can whip up a spring dinner party with the above ingredients:
- Welcome your guests with a sweet Strawberry Mango Sangria or nonalcoholic Mango Strawberry Slush to wake up their taste buds.
- Stimulate the appetites of your guests with savory Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.
- Impress your guests with a Morel Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Pizza. In the Midwestern states (and some states in the Pacific Northwest), morel mushrooms pop up in the woods toward the end of April. The wild mushroom is not only tasty, but also high in nutrients—it is rich in vitamin D, iron and antioxidants. But if you cannot get your hands on these rare delicacies, you may replace morels with Portobello mushrooms.
- Add salads to lighten up your dinner menu. Try Vibrant Orange & Arugula Salad, Watercress Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette and Broccoli Slaw.
- End dinner with a refreshing Rhubarb Ice Cream!
What are your favorite spring recipes? Share with us!