Raleigh - Organic Produce
What Exactly is a CSA, and how can a CSA help provide fresh, organic, Raleigh-grown produce?
If you haven't heard of a CSA, you're not alone! But the CSA trend is growing quickly - here's what it's all about. 
A CSA is a Community Supported Agriculture Farm. If you're looking for fresh, organic food, straight from local farms in the Raleigh area, this is the way to get it!
The set up varies a little from farmer to farmer.
But basically, CSA subscribers pay a farmer ahead of time for a share of the farm's produce. Then, when harvesting begins (which is usually in May), each subscriber can pick up a weekly portion of freshly harvested organic produce.
Most farms have organized a local pick up station in Raleigh if they are further from the city.
Some farms offer a lower fee in trade for a "Working Share", or a set number of hours of labor on the farm, usually about 12. That actually sounds like fun!
What kinds of produce are available in the Raleigh area?
Try:
Strawberries, herbs, squash, zuchinni, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, kale, greens, eggplants, peppers, peas, watermelon, tomatoes, hot peppers, honey, molasses, and eggs. There's even meat and wild shrimp!
When should you sign up?
Many of the local farms who run CSA programs have long waiting lists. Most CSAs are full by February, and reservations are commonly made in December for the following year's produce. So if you're interested in fresh, local produce, you'll probably want to decide on a farm now and sign up as soon as possible!
Here's just a few of the local farms that offer Community Supported Agriculture programs. Click the links to find out more about fees and produce offered.
Hilltop Farms - Willow Springs NC 919-552-5541
Double-T Farm - Garner, NC 919-215-8915
Coon Rock Farm - Hillsborough, NC 919-732-4168
FreshTables CSA Farm - Apex, NC 919-362-4717
Beausol Gardens - Pittsboro, NC 919-545-0204
Four Can Farm - Pittsboro, NC 919-428-1641
Find a whole list of local Raleigh farms (or farms in any other area across the United States) at www.localharvest.org!
Interested in other ways to reduce reliance on natural resources?
Check out a few of these articles:
Solar Water Heaters - How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?
Geothermal Systems - Heating and Cooling Using the Earth - How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?
North Carolina Energy Star Homes Save 431,616 Pounds of Coal in 2007!
ENERGY STAR Homes in Raleigh - What is an ENERGY STAR home, and how does it save money and resources?
Rain Water Collection Systems - What Are They, How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?
Stanton Homes makes it easy! We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations. Custom modifications available too!
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These are becoming so popular - to find out more about our food industry...anyone who has not read Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma is recommended to do so. It's an eye opener!