Eating seasonally is a way to enjoy fresher, more flavorful food while supporting local farms. Seasonal eating also helps reduce the carbon footprint by cutting down on transportation and storage needs, as local produce doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles to reach your plate.
If you're a member of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, you already have access to farm-fresh, seasonal produce. However, figuring out how to make the most of your weekly CSA box can be challenging. Here are some tips to stretch your share and reduce waste:
Plan Meals Around Your CSA Box
Once you receive your produce, take inventory and plan meals accordingly. Search for recipes based on the ingredients you have rather than shopping for extra groceries.
Preserve the Extras
If you have an abundance of vegetables, try freezing, pickling, or fermenting them. Leafy greens like kale or spinach can be blanched and frozen, while cucumbers and radishes make great quick pickles.
Use the Whole Vegetable
Many parts of vegetables that are often discarded, like carrot tops, beet greens, and broccoli stems, are edible and packed with nutrients. Try using them in soups, stir-fries, or pesto.
Make Versatile Dishes
Soups, salsa, stir-fries, and frittatas are excellent ways to use a variety of vegetables at once. Roasting a mix of veggies can also enhance their natural flavors and extend their shelf life.
By eating seasonally and making the most of your CSA share, you’ll enjoy fresher food, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
For those who are interested in joining a CSA program, here are a few local farms to consider:
Minoru Farm
Minoru Farm, established in 2020 by fourth-generation Japanese-American farmer Jade Sato, specializes in cultivating Asian vegetable varieties, reflecting Sato's dedication to honoring her heritage. Minoru Farm has been recognized for sustainable farming practices, receiving a Zero Foodprint Restore Grant to enhance soil health through regenerative methods. Sato's work not only enriches Colorado's agricultural diversity but also fosters a sense of belonging among Asian residents by offering fresh, locally grown produce. Denver residents can find Minoru at City Park Farmers Market every Saturday from 8am-1pm at the City Park Esplanade.
Switch Gears Farm
Switch Gears Farm, established in 2020 by Brett and Vanita, is a small-scale vegetable farm located in Longmont, Colorado. The farm emphasizes sustainable agriculture, focusing on soil health and high-quality produce without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Their practices include crop rotation, composting, and the use of cover crops to enrich the soil. They offer CSA memberships, providing weekly shares of fresh vegetables to the local community from May to October and participate in local farmers markets, including City Park Farmers Market and Lafayette Farmers Market.
Aspen Moon Farm
Since 2009, Aspen Moon Farm has offered CSA memberships, cultivating certified organic, biodynamic produce on 80 acres in Boulder County. A customizable CSA with weekly, biweekly, and Farmer’s Choice options, featuring leafy greens, root vegetables, tomatoes, and more. Sustainability is key—Aspen Moon prioritizes on-farm composting, crop rotation, and organic pest control. Aspen Moon’s pick-up location is at The Corner Beet, 1401 Ogden St, Denver, CO 80218.
Cure Organic Farm
Cure Organic Farm has been offering fresh, organic produce through its CSA program for 20 years. Located on 10 acres in Boulder, the farm provides two CSA options: a Traditional Share with 20 weeks of seasonal vegetables and a CSA Card, offering flexibility to shop at the farm stand anytime. Members enjoy a diverse selection of greens, root crops, tomatoes, herbs, and more, plus add-ons like eggs, flowers, and fruit. Cure Organic Farm has two pick-up locations in the Highlands and University Hills neighborhood on Thursdays at 4-6pm.
Regardless of the farm you choose, a CSA membership is an exciting way to eat with the seasons and deepen your connection to the land.