What's So Great About CSAs and Farmers' Markets?

Some of my fellow ROCmommas refer to me as a tree-hugging hippie because I'm a vegetarian, but I don't agree. Yes, I bring my own reusable bags when I shop, even to the mall. Yes, I buy produce marked "Locally Grown" and/or "Organic" at Wegmans. Yes, I have packed empty water bottles in my suitcase because my hotel didn't offer recycling bins. But every time I think I'm doing my share, reducing my carbon footprint, and making eco-conscious decisions, I meet someone else who is doing more. Then my competitive nature kicks in and I want to out-green that person. Or just make faces at Her Royal Greenness behind her back.

Right now I have two Earth Day 2012 Resolutions:

1. Join a CSA
2. Start composting

I'm not ready to deal with worms just yet so I'm focusing on resolution number one. I just found out about CSAs a few years ago; before that I would have thought it was a new crime drama on Thursday nights. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) allows consumers to buy a share of a farm's harvest, and allows farmers some much-needed income at the beginning of the harvest season - when they need it most. There is some risk involved: a bad growing season (too much rain, not enough rain, a plague of locusts) means fewer veggies in a share. But a strong growing season means you'll have enough produce to freeze, can, host a party, and put lunch and dinner on the table for a few months.

Here's how it works:

• Find a CSA in your area; Rochesterians can look here for options
• Sign up; the farm I chose has an online registration form that was easy to complete, and I am going to be sending in my deposit check tomorrow
• During the harvest season (usually June through September), you'll pick up your share at the farm or designated location at a specific time and day of the week

Half-shares are an option at many farms. This usually appeals to smaller families, or to those who are a bit skeptical about adding kohlrabi and celeriac to their diet. A half-share means pick up is either every other week, or just fewer veggies each week. 

Some farms offer additional perks to their members, such as flowers or herbs. If you're an omnivore, some even offer organic meats. The farm we chose offers unlimited access to their flowers, herbs, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, green beans, and edible flowers. Plus we get to visit as often as we'd like. My two boys are going to love visiting the farm, watching the tractors, and picking some cherry tomatoes.

Most of the farms I've researched also offer cooking and storing tips as well as recipes for each item they grow. So if you're not familiar with garlic scapes, you can look on the farm's site to find recipes for making soup, stew, sauce, or a stir fry with these flavorful stalks. 

If you don't want to commit to a CSA, consider buying local at a farmers' market near you. When you buy locally, you definitely add gold stars to your green card. Well, not that green card - - your eco-savvy green card. Buying local supports the local economy. It means fresher food on your table with more nutrients, since the produce has been off the vine for a shorter amount of time than the supermarket options. Plus, local foods require fewer wasted resources - less packaging and less fuel to transport the produce. So, get thee to a farmers' market! Check out this list of Farmers' Markets in the Rochester area to plan a fruit & veggie adventure with your kids. Of course, most people in the Rochester area are familiar with the Public Market, but there are dozens of others. If you're not a ROCmomma or a ROCpoppa, try Googling "CSA" plus your town or city (example: "CSA Saratoga Springs NY").

I'm looking forward to trying out some new foods this summer and fall. Who knows? Maybe we'll find a new favorite! I'm also looking forward to the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from supporting a local farm. And of course the added bonus of out-greening other moms at preschool. Just kidding.

If you like fruits and veggies, I hope you'll try out a farmers' market or CSA this season. If you already shop at a farmers' market and you already belong to a CSA, then you get many, many kudos, and I hope you'll share your tips or experience with others in the Comments section. As always, thanks for reading!

 

 

Spring-Clean & Go Green

What is it about the warmer weather that motivates us to clear the clutter at home? If I had a week to spare - or, let's face it, even a few hours - I would be sorting through closets, rearranging the kitchen cabinets, and attacking the toy room. This weather makes me want to jump right in and do it all. Some of this may actually happen; we'll see.

But what to do with all the detritus of Spring Cleaning? With Earth Day coming up this weekend, I definitely would not want to add to our landfills. We have such a knack for accumulating a variety of stuff...so how do we reduce, reuse and recycle it all?

There are actually many resources in the Rochester area to help recycle everything beyond the typical plastic, paper, glass, and metal. If you don't live near Rochester, NY you can Google the item you wish to recycle along with your town, such as, "recycle computer Denville NJ."

Unless you're a candidate for A&E's Hoarders, check the list below to see how to green your spring cleaning.

ROCmomma's "Happy Earth Day" Guide to Recycling Your Junk

• Baby Gear & Baby Clothing - WeePeats children's consignment event takes place twice a year (Spring Sale is April 27-29 at the Henrietta Fair & Expo Center); sell your gently used baby clothing, gear, toys, furniture, books, and DVDs...you don't even have to be there! Or, check out Once Upon a Child in Henrietta to sell baby gear and baby clothing anytime, any season. They even have a page of selling tips to help you.
• Batteries: Alkaline - for $2 per pound, you can safely recycle old batteries at the Go Green! Recycle Rally in the Seneca Park Zoo's parking lot on Sunday, August 15, 2012 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Recycle Rally takes place several times per year; check the Seneca Park Zoo web site for additional dates in the future.
• Batteries: Rechargeable, Button, and Lithium Ion Batteries - state law requires retailers to accept them back for recycling: Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, Staples, Sprint, Target, Radio Shack, Batteries Plus, and Verizon.
• Bedding & Household Items - Goodwill accepts these items.
• Books - contact your local library.
• Building & Remodeling Supplies - Flower City Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts cabinetry, masonry, plumbing & electrical fixtures, doors, windows, countertops, like-new hot water heaters, paneling, sinks, wallpaper, flooring, trim, nuts & bolts, fasteners, HVAC and tools; 755 Culver Road, Rochester, NY.
• Cell Phones - Drop off a cell phone of any carrier at any Verizon location; they will reprogram it and redistribute it to support Alternatives for Battered Women. Also, check your local schools, libraries, and even YMCA for bins to recycle your old cell phone, which helps raise funds for that school, library, or YMCA. Last resort: fill in the top two search boxes on Earth911. 
• Clothing - Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Volunteers of America. 
• Clothing: Gowns - Donate My Dress accepts prom dresses and bridesmaids gowns in good condition to make a less fortunate teen feel like a prom queen. They also accept dress shoes and accessories; unfortunately the closest location to Rochester is My Secret Prom Dress Closet in Syracuse: contact Melody at mldyarnold@yahoo.com. 
• Clothing: Professional Attire - help someone in need land a job by donating gently used suits, business attire, business casual attire, dress shoes, and accessories to Working Wardrobe; call (585) 647-1150 to schedule a free pick up.
• Computers - Micrecycle refurbishes donated equipment to provide affordable computers to families, schools, and community organizations; 49 Stone Street, Rochester, NY.
• Craft supplies - Craft Bits & Pieces accepts sewing and knitting supplies, needlework kits and materials, art supplies, notions, woodcrafts, artificial flowers, seasonal decorations, baskets, wreaths, jewelry, knick knacks. All proceeds from sales support the Fairport/Perinton Senior Living Council; their donation station is located at 106 Fairport Village Landing, Fairport, NY.
• Eyeglasses - Donate your old specs to help someone in need by dropping them off or mailing them to Rochester/Finger Lakes Eye & Tissue Bank, 524 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester, NY 14623. (open Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
• Greeting cards - St. Jude's Ranch for Children recycles used greeting cards to create new cards for any occasion. The children at St. Jude's Ranch receive payment for their work and learn about basic job skills, as well as the importance of recycling. Cards are sold in packs of 10 for $10 to support their programs and services. All greeting cards, including Christmas, can be mailed to: St. Jude's Ranch for Children, Recycled Card Program, 100 St. Jude's Street, Boulder City, NV 89005. They cannot accept Hallmark, Disney, or American Greeting cards.
• Household Hazardous Waste - call (585) 753-7600, press 3. For more information, visit the Monroe County web site.
• Kitchenware - Asbury First Storehouse distributes donated items, including kitchenware, to people who are referred by social agencies, health care facilities, and churches; located in the lower level of 1050 East Avenue, Rochester, NY at the rear side (north side) of the building. Donations accepted on Mondays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Plastic Bags & Plastic Packaging/Wrap - drop off clean, empty plastic bags at any grocery or retail store with a clearly marked bin (such as Wegmans). This includes newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, produce bags, furniture wrap, electronic wrap, case wrap (such as snacks, water bottles), wrap from toilet paper/napkins/paper towels/diapers, plastic retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed), grocery bags, plastic food storage bags (such as Ziploc), plastic cereal box liners, Tyvek (no glue, labels, etc.), plastic shipping envelopes (no bubble wrap or labels), and any other plastic bags labeled #2 or #4.
• TV - Goodwill in Henrietta will accept TVs; 376 Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY.
• Everything else - list items on Freecycle for free and donate items to individuals locally.

Mark Your Calendar: Sunday, August 15 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for the Go Green! Recycle Rally at the Seneca Park Zoo's parking lot. Batteries are $2/pound and TVs are $10 each; all other items may be dropped off free of charge. They accept TVs, computers, DVD players, microwaves, video game systems, bicycles, clothing, and shoes. They cannot accept air conditioners or household hazardous waste.

I don't know about you, but purging my old crap feels a bit cathartic. In November, we donated three garbage bags of clothing and two boxes of household items to Volunteers of America and it felt like a burden left the house. In January, I mailed a flat-rate box full of Christmas cards, thank you cards, and birthday cards to St. Jude's and I was excited that they would have a new life before hitting the recycle bin. So give it a try!

We can both hold out for a spot on Clean House and let someone else do it for us...or we can grab a few old boxes or bags and start filling them with stuff we don't need. Use the list above to separate your treasures into piles: sell, donate, and recycle; and make another pile for trash. Don't forget to involve your kids. They are great helpers, and this is the perfect opportunity to teach them about recycling to help the planet, as well as donating to help those who don't have as much as we do.

Good luck with your Spring Cleaning! I hope it's truly GREEN this year, and that these resources are helpful. If you have any other tips for reducing, reusing, and recycling, please share them in the Comments section. As always, thank you for reading.