As the promise of spring fills the air, local farmers markets are beginning to pop up again, bringing fresh seasonal produce back into our kitchens.
For many, a weekly trip to the market is more than just grocery shopping — it’s a beloved ritual and a welcome reprieve from the fluorescent lights and crowded aisles of big-box stores. Markets like the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market on James Island and the North Charleston Farmers Market in Park Circle offer more than just produce. With live music, local art and a vibrant community atmosphere, they provide an opportunity to turn a quick errand into a leisurely morning outing where you see neighbors or discover something new.
Another way to support local farms and enjoy the freshest food possible is by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A CSA is essentially a farm share, giving members regular access to just-harvested fruits, vegetables, meats and other locally produced goods straight from the source. Many offer weekly or monthly subscriptions and base the amount of your share on the number of people in your household. Beyond convenience, joining a CSA offers a wealth of benefits. CSAs support small farms, promote healthier eating, introduce members to new ingredients, keep the local economy thriving and even help to curb overdevelopment.
Among health benefits, locally grown produce is harvested at peak ripeness, so each bite contains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants compared to produce that has been picked before it’s ready, traveled long distances (many times internationally) and spent days or weeks in storage. Additionally, due to the shorter transit times of local produce, there’s no reason to wax coat or use preservatives. Most local farms are organic or nearly organic, meaning they don’t use as many pesticides and chemicals that could find their way into our bodies and waterways.
Local farmers also are more likely to raise animals on pasture rather than on traditional factory farm feedlots. Grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork and free-range poultry contain higher levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of unhealthy fats. Lastly, all locally produced produce and meat just tastes better!
There are economic benefits, too. Investing in a CSA or going to the farmers markets helps sustain small-scale agriculture, keeping food dollars within the community and supporting local employment. Every dollar spent has a huge impact on the local economy. With grocery prices soaring, CSAs provide a great opportunity to save. Although the prices might not always be less expensive, you certainly waste less with a CSA rather than throwing away excess from those giant packs of produce they sell you at big box stores.
CSAs often also employ sustainable farming practices that reduce chemical usage and promote biodiversity. Additionally, local distribution minimizes transportation emissions, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint.
Our local pollinators need habitat and farm land provides just that. The Charleston area has grown exponentially and there’s no way to stop that train from coming unless we value and protect local farmland.
How to join a CSA program
There are lots of options here in the Lowcountry and it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Do your research to find out which program will best fit your needs and lifestyle. If a CSA isn’t for you, search your local farmer’s markets and also Lowcountry Street Grocer.
A great place to start looking for a CSA is on the S.C. Department of Agriculture’s website. Currently listed are Rooting Down Farms, Spade and Clover Gardens, The Green Heart Project, Vital Missions Farms, Legare Farms, Lowland Farms and Wando River Farm. There are other farms that may be offering a CSA such as Joseph Fields Farm and Ambrose.
Toni Reale is the owner of Roadside Blooms, a unique flower, crystal and plant shop at 4491 Durant Ave., North Charleston. Online at roadsideblooms.com.
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