More than a Food Basket

potatoes, carrots, parsnips, asparagus, lettuce, orach,
spinach, rhubarb, onbion, coriander, and dill. YUM!

Last night, it began…
This weekend was the first collection of the CSA produce for the season!

CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture, are closely linked food systems where consumers pay in advance for a share of the season’s crops, and the farmers then provide a share of the crop based on what is produced.

CSAs serve to decrease the distance between farm and table (thereby decreasing travelling time and expense, and allowing for fresher food), they also increase the links between the growers and the purchasers (thereby building community). It’s a means to highlight local and seasonal food, and may expose people to new (to them) foods and thereby new recipes can be tried. (This week, for example, one of the foods I received is orach – and got to learn what that was! I haven’t considered up how I’ll eat it yet…)

It seems fitting, this Pentecost Sunday, to be reflecting on how community is built. Those of us who pre-purchased a share have supported the farm, and will share in the risk of the season. Our weekly collections will reflect if it’s a good growing season or a challenging one. Together, we share the output, proportional to our input.

I do not know everyone who participates in this CSA, but we share in the collection and distribution. We enter into the community with trust, as there is a cycle of us who bring the food into the city for member pick up. The bags of goods vary in content (based on the time of year and any prferences identified) and quantity (based on what size of share we've ordered). We've given and receive in proportion to what we have and what we need.

We have all invested in the farm – its people, its crops, its ethics. It’s a commitment in hope, as we support not only the literal fruits of the earth but also the different concepts of economy, ownership, and cooperation. It’s high quality food that allows us to see the world in new ways, healthier ways, moral ways.

I’m looking forward to being part pf the CSA this year; just as I am excited to see how this garden reflects the kin-dom as it feeds our bodies alongside our souls.