Spring has finally arrived. Vegetable gardens across the region are springing to life! Peas, spinach, asparagus and garlic are some of the greenery currently showing themselves to the sun.
But perhaps you are not a gardener or don’t have the space or desire to grow your own food. There are so many options in the region to eat fresh, local food and so many ways to access it. There are also a number of easy ways to learn more about, and participate in, the local farm and food economy.
Are you familiar with Community Supported Agriculture, aka CSA’s? These are farms that grow food to share. You pay the farmer up front and you get a bag of food a week until the end of the “contract”. Although this up front cost may seem daunting, getting that bag of super fresh produce every week makes it more than worthwhile. If it’s too much to contemplate for this year, consider putting aside a little of that grocery money each week to save up for next year.
Last year, my CSA delivered spinach, carrots, basil, parsley, tomatoes, strawberries, eggplant,peppers and so much more. It was incredibly delicious food. If getting a bag of food a week is more than you are ready for, I encourage you to shop at your local Farmer’s Markets. There are larger ones in Keene, Brattleboro and Bellows Falls and smaller ones in Hancock, Walpole and other local towns. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and most now sell meats, breads, eggs and more. I challenge you to be brave this summer – try an heirloom tomato or parsnips or nettles.
To find a Farmer’s Market or CSA near you, check out www.localharvest.org. If you want to learn more about food systems, local food, the slow food movement, I highly recommend The Slow Living Summit in Brattleboro on June 5,6,7. This event is tied in with the annual Strolling of the Heifers and is an excellent venue to learn about living a little more slowly. This is the third year of the summit and one of several overarching questions is: “How do we build resilient local food systems and food enterprises?” Find out more at here.
Another opportunity to get engaged in local farming and food systems is the Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition (MFCC). Spearheaded by the Cheshire County Conservation District, this Coalition has a newly created mission, vision and goals – determined over the past year with a diverse group of local individuals and organizations. The MFCC hopes to be a common food and farming resource in the region. With only 5% of the food we eat actually produced in the state, and with the many people in our region and state who are food insecure, it makes a lot of sense to work together to be efficient, supportive, forward thinking and well-fed. Check out the MFCC. Happy Eating!
Mary Jensen is the Campus Sustainability Officer at Keene State College. Her work supports the mission and values of the College and the KSC President’s Council for a Sustainable Future. She is also a member of the Monadnock Sustainability Network, a 501c3 whose mission is to encourage sustainable living practices and resource conservation in the region.