Nomadic Wines

BAMCSA

Again, not about wine, but this will probably interest the food and wine lovers. When we lived in Brookline, we joined a farm CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). The idea is that individuals buy a share a farm's harvest. If the harvest is strong, you get a little more; if the harvest is smaller than normal, you get a little less. For the farmer, it is a great way to connect directly with consumers and to (in most cases) collect payment ahead of harvest, which takes away some of the financial pressures.

We joined the CSA in Brookline to support a local farmer and to get a steady stream of veggies. The veggies were often random (kales, chards), but it was good to learn about new foods.

In Berkeley, it is easier to find local fruits and veggies with all of the farmer's markets. There is a great farmer's market three times a week in Berkeley alone.

That said, when I heard about the opportunity to get local meat in a similar fashion, I was all for it. The idea is to give consumers access to meat from locally, ethically, sustainably, humanely raised and slaughtered animals. The farmers bring the meat directly to Berkeley where we pick it up on a monthly basis. The meat is more expensive than Safeway meat, but it tastes better and you know it is coming from a good place.

The Bay Area Meat CSA (BAMCSA), a project of Slow Food Berkeley, is made up of over 100 consumers who have joined forces to support local meat ranchers and farmers. If you are interested in learning more, please send me an email.

Labels: CSA, local food, meat

posted by nomadfromcincy @ 11:34 PM