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
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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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. 
Christa Avampato 
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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