The majority of grocery store produce is delivered here over thousands of miles of ocean, rail, and road.

In China and New Zealand, strangers pick grocery store apples, strap them into bins, and ship them across the world to be bagged, waxed and sold. In Florida, migrant workers pick January tomatoes. The rest of the produce that is usually available at the grocery store comes from California, Mexico or the Midwest.

For those who try to buy local, few plants are growing here in this cold season (there are regional options from sustainable farms available at Five Points Community and Virginia Beach Farm Markets). Starting this month, Hampton Roads farms will be accepting subscriptions to their annual Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs for Summer, 2011. To participate in a CSA program, subscribers pay up front for 18 -20 weeks of produce to be picked up weekly at the farm, farmer’s market, or another local pick-up point.

A summer CSA collection at Five Points Community Farm Market.

CSAs are a part of an economic, environmental, and social revolution. Choosing food from local farmers keeps money circulating in the community, and as�Bryn Bird wrote last week, �� a�study by Virginia Cooperative Extension found that if each Virginia Household spent only $10 on local food and farm products weekly, it would annually generate $1.65 billion in direct economic impact for the Virginia economy.�

Choosing local produce helps keep the environment and our bodies healthy by reducing CO2 emissions through reducing the amount of fuel used to deliver the food. Because the food is delivered just after it is harvested, it is fresh – ensuring its nutritional quality.

Hampton Roads area farmers practice�sustainable agriculture, which according to the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program “… rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”�So, supporting our farmers through CSAs encourages the growth of sustainable, local farming. This ensures that farming for the health of the community and the planet continues into future generations.

Subscribing is also cost effective. Depending on the farm, the cost per week for a substantial amount of produce ranges between $20-$40. Each week, the bag or box of produce is different based on what is in season. Instead of cherry picking produce at the market, your diet will vary according to the season, the weather, and the specific farm. Although not knowing what types of produce you are paying for in advance may seem daunting, it can reform your approach to food.

2011 is the second year my family has participated in Mattawoman Creek Farm�s CSA, and we�ve learned dozens of new recipes (many of the recipes came from the CSA newsletter). Eating different each season has spurned creativity in our kitchen, and encouraged us to trade recipes with fellow subscribers. Dana Staves subscribes to the Five Point Farm Market CSA program and�writes about her weekly culinary endeavors.

Below is a list of area farms and markets that offer CSA programs. I asked the farmers to provide a short explanation of what they feel differentiates their CSA from others in the area. For pick up locations, available crops, and pricing, visit each farm’s website – linked below.

If I have missed any farms, please provide information and links in the comments.

Mattawoman Creek Farms

“With our CSA:

Large CSA box from a previous year from Mattawoman Creek Farms.

• Everything is certified organic;
• Everything is grown by us on our local farm;
• There are 7 pickup locations to choose from;
• Harvests are done daily and our produce is chilled for ultimate freshness;
• There are 2 subscription sizes available;
• Subscribers receive a weekly newsletter with recipes and food handling tips;
• There are CSA farm events including tours;
• Subscribers receive a discount at farm market and on farm sales;
• There are 30 to 35 crops grown every year;
• The CSA runs from mid May to late September for a total of 19 weeks.”

Contact Sales@MattawomanCreekFarms.com or visit their website for more information.

Skipper Farms

Grape Tomatoes from Skipper Farms.

“We put in many hours trying to satisfy and provide the best for our members.�One thing that�differentiates our CSA is that we are truly a family farm�growing homegrown produce varieties selected for the best features�for our CSA. We have learned over the last thirty years or so that we need to�start our own seedlings and plant our own fields in order to maintain�control and ensure quality.�We also harvest just before distribution for freshness and quality control. We are offering three CSA periods; Fall (Oct-Dec), Winter and Early Spring (Feb-Apr), Spring and Summer (May- Oct).”

Contact SkipperFarms@gmail.com or visit their website for more information.

Cullipher Farm Market

“The array of over 70 seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables showcased throughout the program have been meticulously planned to allow our members the best of what our family as to offer. In addition, each week we include an information sheet that provides handling and storage instructions as well as hand-selected� recipes from our family that go along with the weeks offerings.

Members are also treated to bonus items, such as preserves , hand-cut flowers, or a vegetable/fruit. Along with the homegrown fruits, we offer the highest quality tree fruit available in Tidewater. Also, new� and very exciting for us is our USDA Certified Organic U-Pick strawberries, May peas, and tomatoes. Through our CSA, you benefit from the generations of experience which allows your family to meet ours. With these qualities we feel that our Family Membership Program� is �’Simply the best!’�

Contact Cullfarm@msn.com or visit their website for more information.

New Earth Farms

“The first thing that I think distinguishes us is that we farm with all organic methods, materials and seeds.

Garlic Scapes from New Earth Farms.

We are not Certified Organic�on this farm, but on the new farm in Pungo, currently in transition, we will be USDA Organically Certified. This will be our 6th year of having a CSA at our farm, in the Strawbridge section of Virginia Beach.

We offer a discount on the price of the CSA for members who volunteer at our farm a minimum of six hours per week.�Volunteers help harvest produce, clean and prep it in the early morning before pickup, between 6:30 and 8:30 am.

Every week, I produce a one page- two sided newsletter including recipes, opinions, reflections on organics, and nutrition information on the produce. We grow some things that most people don’t know about (Kohlrabi and tatsoi, to name a few) , so we are always teaching. I LOVE doing the newsletter, and the members count on it!”

Contact Kathleen@NewEarthFarm.org or visit their website for more information.

Five Points Community Farm Market

“A Community Supported Agriculture program consists of a community of individuals (limited in number) who pledge their support to the farmers and the farm market through a subscription to purchase seasonal produce. Subscribers pay for the produce in advance, which provides the farmers with the ability to plan their crops with the knowledge that a portion of what they produce is already sold. A CSA program also benefits the Farm Market by providing it with known quantities of produce to procure and a steady flow of customers who may want to add to their produce with other grocery items that the Farm Market offers. Also, as a Farm Market CSA, the Farm Market works with a many farmers across the region, providing a better variety of produce, and cushioning the subscribers against drought conditions, plant diseases and pests that may affect produce supplies.

Each week, you and your family will receive fresh, seasonal, local & regional produce as part of your CSA from the farmers at the Five Points Community Farm Market. In addition, you�ll receive recipes and ideas on how to prepare your produce.”

Contact farmmarket@verizon.net or visit their website for more information.