Each week, we get a bounty of organic produce for only $15. The result is that we are eating healthier meals and saving money at the same time.
After a few weeks of participating in the CSA, I’ve learned a few things that can eliminate waste and increase the benefit of the savings that we have been experiencing. Here are my tips.
Because the exact type and amount of produce can vary by week, it is important to be flexible and creative with meal planning. As I unpack the week’s supply, I start brainstorming how I will use what we have and make a note of any additional ingredients that might be needed. I plan a quick trip to our local farmer’s market or store if needed. Of course, it is best to minimize the additions.
I also keep in mind what items have shorter shelf spans and plan to use those up first. Onions will last a good long time, and they can be incorporated into many dishes, so I’m not worried about making sure they get in the meal plan. They find their way into our meals long before they will go bad. On the other hand, heirloom tomatoes tend to spoil early, so doing something with them within a day or two takes priority.
If your CSA offers it, take advantage of the U-pick garden. We have be blessed with all of the fresh herbs and fresh flowers that we can clip and use. Other bounties of the U-pick include pints of raspberries, blackberries, cherry tomatoes, green beans, hot peppers and more. The picking aspect also is an adventure for the kids, so we get some free entertainment at the same time.
With the bounty of cheap organic vegetables, we find ourselves buying less expensive meat and having more meatless meals. This in effect is saving us money at the regular grocery store. I tend to not want to shop too much until I use up what we already have. Now a days, I find myself trying to figure out how to incorporate meat into the meals for protein, rather than trying to plan specific meatless meals.
It can usually be cheaper to split a full share with a friend or neighbor than to pay for a half share. This is because half or small shares can sometimes cost more than half the cost of the full share.
Do you belong to a CSA? Have you been thinking about it?