You just signed up for the Green Heart Garden CSA. Fantastic! But, now what? You’re probably wondering how to make the best use of your weekly share of fresh, local, and seasonal produce. Well, you are in for a treat! CSA is a great way to support your local farmers, eat healthy food, and enjoy the bounty of nature.

‍
But CSA can also be a challenge, especially if you are not used to cooking with unfamiliar vegetables, planning your meals around what’s available, or storing and preserving excess produce. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your CSA membership.

‍
Tip #1: Do your research

‍
Make sure you know what to expect. Different CSAs have different models, prices, products, and policies. Some questions to ask yourself and us are:

• How much does it cost and how do I pay?
• How long is the season and when does it start and end?
• What kind of produce and other products can I expect to receive each week?
• How much produce will I get and how do I pick it up or get it delivered?
• What if I miss a pickup or delivery or go on vacation?
• How do I communicate with the farmer and other members?
• What are the benefits and risks of joining a CSA?
• How can I get involved in the farm and the community?

‍
We have a CSA FAQ that can provide you with many of the answers you may have about your new membership. And, if the answer you’re looking for isn’t there, you can always reach out to us directly.

‍
Tip #2: Be flexible and adventurous

‍
One of the joys of CSA is that you never know what you will get in your box each week. This can also be a challenge, especially if you are used to shopping for specific ingredients or following recipes. To make the most of your CSA, you need to be flexible and adventurous. Here are some ways to do that:

• Plan your meals around what’s in season and what’s in your box, not the other way around. You can check out our Produce page to find out what’s in season and get inspired by our recipes.
• Try new vegetables and new ways of cooking them. Don’t be afraid of unfamiliar or odd-looking produce. Ask us or other members for tips on how to prepare them, or look online for ideas. You might discover a new favorite dish or flavor.
• Experiment with different cuisines and techniques. CSA produce can be used in a variety of dishes from different cultures and regions. For example, you can make a stir-fry with bok choy, a salad with radishes, a soup with turnips, a curry with eggplant, or a pizza with kale. You can also try different methods of cooking, such as roasting, grilling, steaming, or fermenting.
• Have fun and be creative. CSA is an opportunity to unleash your inner chef and play with your food. Mix and match different ingredients, spices, and sauces. Invent your own recipes or tweak existing ones. Share your creations with your family, friends, or other members on our Facebook page.
• Embrace substitutions! Cooking seasonally means that an ingredient called for in a recipe might not be available when you want to cook it. But, if you think of recipes as more of a loose guide instead of instructions that are set in stone, you will have much more flexibility. We recommending using FoodSubs as a tool for finding which produce can easily be swapped out for another.

‍

‍
Tip #3: Store and preserve wisely

‍
Sometimes you might get more produce than you can eat in a week, or you might get something that you can’t use right away. Don’t let it go to waste. Store and preserve it properly so you can enjoy it later. Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Store your produce appropriately. Some produce, such as potatoes, onions, garlic, winter squash, and apples, can last for months if stored properly. Others, such as leafy greens, herbs, berries, and mushrooms, need to be refrigerated and used within a few days. We provide profiles of everything we grow that include tips for both short and long term storage.
• Preserve your produce by freezing, canning, drying, or pickling. These methods can extend the shelf life of your produce and add variety and flavor to your meals. You can freeze fruits and vegetables in freezer bags or containers, can them in jars using a water bath or pressure canner, dry them in an oven or dehydrator, or pickle them in a brine.
• Share your produce with others. If you have more produce than you can store or preserve, or if you have something that you don’t like or can’t use, don’t throw it away. Share it with someone who will appreciate it. You can give it to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other members. You can also donate it to a food bank, soup kitchen, or community organization.

‍
________________________________________
I hope you found these tips helpful and that you enjoy your CSA experience. CSA is a wonderful way to connect with your food, your farmer, and your community. Happy eating!