I grew up in a rural area in upstate New York. At that time, CSAs did not exist where I lived. Eating local was the only affordable option.
Now, our societal eating habits have made a 180. Cheap food comes from many miles away, is mechanically manufactured rather than raised and harvested, and is largely unhealthy as its practically steeped in “sanitary” chemicals we can barely pronounce. American consumers are now in a catch 22 – how to live within their means and eat healthfully is a complicated matter. Too complicated for even many PhD scientists to decipher.
Sorting out the myths and marketing in grocery stores is a complicated puzzle. I recently watched the movie Food, Inc., both a realistic look at our modern food chain (which is scary) and a possible look into our future of supporting sustainable, small-scale agriculture (which is hopeful). The findings in the movie are so horrifying that I needed to do something, to somehow participate in supporting a more sustainable lifestyle and local farmers who are trying to do the right thing.
To do my own little part, I signed up this year for a CSA, a group of people who get together and pre-pay for a season’s worth of weekly fresh deliveries of fruits and vegetables (and sometimes eggs, meat, and pasta) from a small-scale local farmer. I found mine CSA through http://www.justfood.org. I paid $250 for 20 weeks of fresh veggies – $12.50 / week. A good deal. I’m trying some new vegetables that I’ve never even picked up in the store – bok choy, anyone? – and it feels good to connect with other people who care about the local eating movement.
Our CSA’s farm is in Connecticut and we’ll be able to visit later this summer. For now I’m enjoying my plates of fresh produce knowing that my small contribution, combined with the contributions of others may be at the beginning of turning back to a healthier past.
The photo above depicts a recently weekly delivery of radishes, parsley, and a variety of leafy greens from my CSA.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
I grew up in a rural area in upstate New York. At that time, CSAs did not exist where I lived. Eating local was the only affordable option. 
It IS the start of returning to a healthier past. Localharvest.org shows the rate at which CSAs are growing and it’s definitely with gusto. There’s a lot of reasons to participate. It’s also more helpful to your local economy than shopping in a chain grocery store.
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Hi Tammy,
Thanks for the link to Localharvest.org. I will check it out, along with your blog as well!
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You won’t mind if we invite ourselves over for dinner, right? We can cook your bok choi 🙂
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My bok choi is your bok choi! 🙂
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