Hurray for Spring! Ok…now let’s hear that again, but louder.

“HURRAY FOR SPRING!”

Great. That was a lot better.

Aside from mass cheering in the streets this time of year, I’m happy to hear the many  familiar sounds inherent to this fine season. Particularly as they pertain to food of course.

Spring is an exciting time for lovers of local food. Bees will soon buzz and pollinate a bountiful crop, while the buzz of community brewing around farmers’ markets is about take off. It’s the sound of backyard barbeques and backyard gardeners digging into the soil again after a season apart.

But most importantly, it is the sound of me saying goodbye to a winter of potatoes, turnips, squash and apples, and saying “HELLO!!!” to greens, greens, and more greens! And not far behind greens are the reds, blues, purples and peaches of the summer months

Now is a golden opportunity to really connect with the true colours of Ontario’s growing season. I revel in seeing the shades, shapes, and flavours change from week to week at markets. It’s a time to hop out of our comfort zones into a world of culinary possibility, taking advantage of the freshest food each week has to offer and making magic with it in our kitchens.

It’s also a really good opportunity to make a meaningful connection with a local farmer. Farmers’ markets are definitely one way to do this: There’s always an array of food to choose from and they always have a great community feel. Today, however, I want to talk about CSAs, the lesser known farm-to-fork connection.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Here’s how it works:

CSA is a system in which individuals or families choose to buy organic produce (and in some cases meat, dairy, or preserves) from a local farm for a whole growing season.  Produce is delivered once a week to the pick-up location, where the members are able to choose their produce while connecting with the farmer and members of their community.

CSAs are like a mini farmers’ market, where you have a relationship with one or a small group of farmers. And just like farmers’ markets, they are a fun and lively gathering place where folks share ideas and stories while building community. Economically, CSA models really help farmers plan their season, since they can plant exactly as much as they have a market for. But since farming is inextricably linked to the natural world, if Mother Nature decides to have an extra dry year, or to make it a chilly summer, the CSA members share in that year’s loss. Hence the term Community Supported Agriculture.

My friend Daniel’s farm, The Cutting Veg, is taking a nifty approach to the CSA model. First off, they are one of the few urban farms I know of. The Cutting Veg is in nearby Brampton! Now, how many farmers do you know who farm within a half hour drive? Secondly, Daniel takes a really hands-on, multi-faceted approach to farming. For him, farming is also about social justice and education. Every week, The Cutting Veg donates produce to a local agency who will transform the produce into delicious meals, which will be served to people in need. And as a customer, your relationship to the farm doesn’t have to end as soon as you get your produce. Nope, you have the option to volunteer on the farm at one of their weekly volunteer work bees. Plus, you can participate in one of the many hands-on workshops Daniel offers on Preserving the Harvest throughout the growing season.

Now’s the time to sign up for a CSA program since shares get spoken for fast around here! There are many in the Toronto area, all with a slightly different approach. If you’re interested in more info on The Cutting Veg’s CSA program, click here. Their downtown CSA pickup spot is at the Park Road Healing Arts Clinic at 28 Park Road (North-East of the Yonge and Bloor intersection).