Wouldn’t it be great to have your own personal farmer – someone who grew produce for you and a few other Locavores in the community?  Well you can with a CSA. 

What exactly is a CSA?  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and very simply it is a share of a farmer or producer’s harvest.  Here’s how it works.  Prior to the planting season, a grower will offer shares in his/her CSA.  The number of shares available depends on the size and volume of produce a farmer can produce.  A share is usually defined as an amount of produce to feed either two or four people for a week and a CSA in Idaho generally includes 16-18 weeks of produce.  Cost of shares varies widely depending on the number of weeks, variety of products offered, whether weekly produce is delivered or has to be picked up, location of the CSA, and simple economics – supply and demand for shares.   The buyer of the shares pays in advance allowing the farmer to plan production and also providing him with capital needed to plant, grow and harvest.

CSA’s vary widely in what they offer.  Some CSA’s are fresh produce only – primarily vegetables - and the produce varies each week depending on what is in season.  Weekly “boxes” may start with lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes and other quick-growing early season crops.  As the weather warms, the box might contain carrots, beets, green beans, summer squash and finally tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn and winter squash.  Some CSA’s also include a fresh fruit option where the farmer will work with a local orchard and include seasonal fruit in the weekly offering.  Other CSA’s might include meats, dairy or breads.  Contents are dictated by weather and growing conditions, are not guaranteed, and usually not customized – every share holder receives the same basic selection of products.

If you would like to become a member of a CSA check out these Idaho Preferred producers.  Wissel Farms is the newest CSA in the Treasure Valley and offers a fruit-vegetable membership and free weekly delivery (Wisselfarms.com).  Morning Owl Farms offers several types of CSA’s  - some that are year-around and can be found at www.morningowlfarm.com.  Vogel Farms in Kuna offers a meat subscription at www.vogelfarmscountrymarket.com and Cabalo’s Orchard offers a CSA card for fruits and vegetables grown on their farm in Kuna.  In north-central Idaho check out Jim’s Year Around produce in Julietta. You can find information and the application to their CSA at http://idahopreferred.com/member-database/jims-year-round-produce.

When you think of apricots – what comes to mind?  Small, soft, mealy yellow fruit with a semi-fuzzy skin?  If so, you might want to think again.  Idaho apricots are a large, firm, orange fruit with a smooth skin - yet still juicy and delicious. The “Gold Rich” variety is popular with Idaho growers because of the large sweet fruit it produces in orchards on the slopes of the Snake River Valley. 

Apricots are a true sign that the hottest days of summer are upon us.  Ripened in the sun, and picked by hand, apricots are available for only a few weeks in late July and August.  Despite unusual weather patterns this year the apricot crop is abundant and the fruit can be found locally at roadside stands, farmers markets and grocery stores. 

Not only are apricots sweet and delicious, but they are packed with nutrition.  A great source of beta carotene, fiber and potassium, apricots also provide almost 100% of daily recommended amount of vitamin A.

For a light summertime dessert, breakfast or anytime snack, try this easy recipe idea.  Wash and cut in half a large ripe apricot and remove the pit.  Fill each half with 2 tablespoons plain or vanilla-flavored yogurt.  Drizzle with a little Idaho honey and top with a few chopped roasted pistachios.