This has been the first year that my family has participated in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project with Juniper Hill Farm in Wadhams. I’m hooked!

Though I’m not located near Wadhams, the choice to join was easy and every step along the way has been a delight. For my first year I chose a small customizable veggie share and a fruit share. Since I do a fair bit of traveling during the summer, that choice has provided my family as well as a neighbor or two, plenty of fresh produce in addition to our own garden.

I get weekly email reminders to select my CSA options for the week’s box (or I can put my order on hold). Just like any shopping excursion, my family helps select the items and eagerly awaits the pickup process. I’ve tried new things and even discovered I’m a huge fan of salad turnips. (I didn’t even know what a salad turnip was. If you are curious it’s a mild white turnip that can be eaten raw or cooked.)

Now when I stop by the farmers’ market, my weekly veggies are waiting for me. Of course, that never stops us from getting the other necessities like fresh bread, cheese or baked goodies.

Certainly Juniper Hill Farm is not the only CSA option and I could sign up for specialty crops from Fledging Crow or beef, poultry, eggs and pork from Mace Chasm Farm as well as North Country Creamery’s fresh cheeses, yogurt and milk.  There are even numerous options available for produce pick-up for a nominal fee or at the 82 Loukes Lane farm site .

The summer is starting to wind down. Some area farmers’ markets will be closing come the end of August while others will continue through October. Don’t fret! There are a few year-round options to receive fresh Adirondack produce.

When you’re visiting your farmers’ market, stop by the various farm stands and inquire. Being a part of a CSA isn’t complicated so I would encourage everyone to just take a look and see if there is an option that fits. For us, it’s been worth every penny. Enjoy the fresh Adirondack produce!

Photo of the Juniper Hill stand the Lake Placid Farmers’ Market is used with the permission of Diane Chase, AdirondackFamilyTime.com.