Tidbit Tueday

Tidbit Tuesday is a series I'm going to try to do every Tuesday to give you some ideas on how to either save money or make your life simpler, or a little of both!!

LOCAL, IN SEASON

We have a saying here where I live: Buy Fresh, Buy Local.  It couldn't be more true, especially with today's prices at the grocery store.  I love supporting my local farmers and my kids love going to the local farm market (which for us is open year round!!).  We are able to find whatever is currently growing fresh from the local fields in our area, plus we know that we are helping to support small farmers just trying to make a living.



One way I do this throughout the year is I am a part of a CSA.  "What's THAT??" you ask.  Well, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  They are available all across the country and there are many different types of them.  You can find one local to where you are (in the USA) by clicking on this link: http://www.localharvest.org/.  You can even see what farm stands are near you.

So, back to my CSA.  Well, I don't count this in my monthly grocery bill because I budget for it at the beginning of the year.  The farm stand that we get our produce does a basket share.  Meaning, you pay at the beginning of the season for one of 2 options: couple or family.  We get a couple, 2/3 of a family share, and it is way more than enough.  I go every Friday then throughout the designated season and pick up whatever is fresh from their farm.  This has gotten us to try so many different things that I wouldn't have otherwise purchased at the grocery store.  Plus, it gets us whatever is fresh for that current season.  You won't see strawberries in September because they are a spring item.  Melons are summer, Broccoli is spring and fall, Lettuce and Cabbage are spring and fall, and so on.  By doing this, you really get a feel for when something is in season, meaning you are eating it at it's freshest!!

The whole reason I'm going through this explanation is because yesterday was a cabbage meal.  We get a lot of cabbage this time of year; about a head every week or every other week.  You probably can find cabbage at an amazing price at the grocery store.  What I do when we get an abundance of an in season item is I try to find ways to make it stretch for us.  You saw that yesterday: 1 head of cabbage helped me get 4 meals!!

Another reason I am bringing this to light, is so that it can save you money.  If you notice that certain items are at amazing prices throughout the year, it's probably because they are in season.  Right now in my area we are cooling off so we are having what's called "cool season" produce: lettuce, cabbage, spinach, all leafy greens, beets, peas, carrots, winter squash, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.  Some of this I even have planted in my garden so that when I get the abundance I can preserve it for over the winter.

My mission for you this week is to go and find out what is in season for your local area.  Try something that you haven't tried before.  Make a new dinner with an old favorite.  I'd love to hear what you come up with!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Amanda