Edible East Bay

I wrote a piece on local CSAs (community supported agriculture) for the new issue of Edible East Bay (www.edibleeastbay.com). Eating locally grown foods is good for you, for the environment, and for your agricultural community and local economy. I'm a long time member of Full Belly Farm (www.fullbellyfarm.com), which is located in the Capay Valley about 150 miles northeast of my home in Berkeley. I pay about $15 a week and in return, get a wildly fresh box of seasonal vegetables, and occasional fruits. By paying the money up front, CSA members somewhat offset the risk of small scale farming, and everyone benefits. The farmers, certainly, who receive income directly and don't get their profits slashed by distributors, but also the consumer, who gets produce picked that morning, or close to it.If you live in the East Bay, pick up a copy, and see the many CSAs available in our own back yard.