Tomato Triumph: Embrace CSAs for Freshness and Sustainability

It’s the best time of the year–tomato season is finally upon us which for me means finally getting to indulge in tomato sandwiches. My super complicated recipe entails a nice slice of toasted sourdough bread, mayonnaise, and thick slices of juicy red tomatoes dusted with Everything But the Bagel seasoning (iykyk). This is obviously served open-faced so you can taste all the sweet-salty-umami goodness and aren’t weighed down with too much bread–simple perfection!

You can imagine my disappointment when I recently sliced into a plump red, seemingly ripe tomato to find it white and mealy on the inside. You see I was unable to attend the Peachtree Rd Farmers Market the previous Saturday and found myself resorting to the seemingly next best option of purchasing a vine-ripened organic tomato from the grocery store–but alas I was dupped by commercialized produce designed for shelf-stability not delectability. This major tomato let-down and an upcoming busy weekend schedule was the push I needed to finally sign up for a CSA.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs offer city dwellers the opportunity to enjoy fresh, locally-grown produce delivered straight to their door or a nearby pick-up location. Most CSAs are run by a single farm or a cooperative, providing weekly or bi-weekly boxes of in-season produce. This means the contents of your box will vary frequently, introducing you to new foods (hi kohlrabi–my new bff). Many CSAs also offer additional items like fresh eggs, local cheeses, and other shelf-stable products. Your local farmer takes great care in selecting fruits and vegetables at their peak freshness, ensuring they aren’t bruised, which is often more than what can be said for an Instacart shopper. In an era where we’re too busy or prefer the convenience of grocery delivery or pickup, CSAs provide an effortless way to access higher-quality produce, explore new varieties, and support local farmers.

I can confirm in my recent experience that the tomatoes are sweeter, the greens are greener, and it’s a great feeling to support Georgia-grown products. But this wouldn’t be a sustainability post if we didn’t also highlight all the environmental benefits of hopping on the CSA train:

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Sourcing your food locally reduces the carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation, contributing to a more sustainable urban lifestyle.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: Many CSA farms in Georgia practice organic or regenerative agriculture, preserving soil health, protecting water sources, and promoting biodiversity.
• Working With the Seasons: CSAs operate with the seasons, unlike factory farms that use large amounts of fertilizer, water, and energy to imitate ideal growing conditions year-round. CSAs work with Mother Nature to provide produce at its peak with more natural inputs, reducing environmental strain.
• Less Waste: CSA programs often use minimal packaging that can be returned and reused, and the fresh produce lasts longer, reducing food and plastic waste. (Maybe you’ll also let fewer items in your fridge go to waste if you have a more personal connection to them ;))

Joining a CSA program is more than just a way to get better tomatoes. It’s an investment in your health, your community, and our environment. It’s about reconnecting with the roots of your food and embracing a lifestyle that values sustainability and community support. So why not take the plunge and join a CSA? Your taste buds, our local farmers, and Mother Earth will thank you!

Here’s a list CSAs with pick-up and/or delivery options in the Buckhead neighborhood: