This is where CSAs (short for Community Supported Agriculture) comes in. When you participate in a CSA, you are essentially paying a farmer in advance for their product whether it be produce, meat, honey, eggs, etc. By paying them in advance, you are giving them a BIG BENEFIT by offsetting some of their upfront costs from running a farm. Think about it, by the time you get to their farm stand or their produce gets to Whole Foods, they already have had A LOT OF WORK TO DO. Farmers don't get paid all year...
So... let's move on to the math... I participate in two different CSAs (one is for produce and one is for meat). produce CSA breakdown
I was able to sign up for 2019's growing season early (which got me a discount) and paid the cost up front (another discount). That payment gives us 12 deliveries, one every other week. Each delivery lasts us 2 weeks (just two of us at home) for a total of 24 weeks. My purchase price (with discounts) was $285. So:
$285 / 24 weeks = $11.88 per week for certified ORGANIC and FRESH as can be produce. UM HELLO. Major win. Could you spend $12 at Whole Foods or even Walmart for all your weekly organic produce? I think not. meat CSA breakdown
My meat CSA works a bit differently. Instead of signing up for a "growing season" you pay for meat in 10 lb increments to get a "bulk price". 10 lbs of meat is $85. On top of that, you get a free dozen of eggs from pasture raised chickens ($6 value at the Whole Foods near me). If we subtract the $6 from $85, that leaves us with $79 towards the 10 lbs of meat.
$79 / 10 lbs = $7.90 per pound for free-range, pastured, grass fed/finished meat! I know that price might seem high for ground meat, but that's not all you get... I get filet mignon, bacon and whole chickens in my mix too!
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final notes
Again, I am not telling you that you need to go broke to get the best food you can. What I am telling you to do is think outside retail grocery stores. I want you to do your research and find a local farmer/CSA who needs your support. CSAs are great opportunities to feed your family the best food you can get and to learn about so many new ingredients. I had no idea what a kohlrabi was before our CSA, and now it's one of my favorite foods! These CSAs have been huge time savers for me too. Imagine stopping somewhere only every other week to get all your produce for the week? Imagine going to the freezer and pulling out anything you'd like? For the variety, the price and the value of their food, CSAs are always a win and you are ALWAYS deserving of that value.
-always lifting your life, Laura
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AuthorMy name is Laura and I help overly tired 20something women overhaul their lives, energy and confidence without overwhelm. Categories
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Although I am a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and write to the best of my knowledge on fitness, nutrition and lifestyle practices, I cannot be made liable to know all information on a particular subject. Knowledge gained through this blog is to be used at your own risk and all lifestyle changes should be discussed with a doctor before starting. I am also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I do receive a small reimbursement for sales made through the links provided on my blog. |