Abundant Harvest Organics Makes Eating Fun!

Initially I decided to buy organic because I was concerned about the impact that herbicides and pesticides might be having on my family’s health.  I quickly saw the disconnect, however, between organic foods grown thousands of miles away, and the health of the planet.  Suddenly, it didn’t seem to be enough to simply buy anything that was organic.  I also wanted to buy local to avoid contributing to global warming through my food choices.  In addition, I saw buying local as a way to help preserve the local farm communities.

While looking for a local farm or CSA (community supported agriculture), I found there was a lack of convenient local services. I searched the internet, and found Abundant Harvest Organics, an alliance of small family farms in the Central Valley who had established a direct-from-the-farm distribution system to provide customers with affordable organics, and signed up to be a community host.

I talked to Vernon Peterson, who runs his family farm of 115 years and who formed the group with his neighbors. His goal is to preserve the small farmer’s way of life, and to offer consumers an alternative to what clients call “plastic food.”

Vernon believes he is providing a service beyond healthy food, and that connecting with local farmers can help fill the “farm-shaped hole in the heart of every urbanite.” I think he’s on to something there. I certainly appreciate my food more now that I know there are some hardworking family farmers growing it. And because the produce tastes so good, I hate to waste any of it so I’ve been eating more fruits and vegetables.

Many of my Abundant Harvest customers are having more fun than ever eating healthily. They receive a weekly box of seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables that they pick up at our drop site. They can view the contents of the box online ahead of time, but many of them don’t because they want to be surprised: They say it’s like opening a present every week.

Will it be fresh chamomile, or fava beans that look like the world’s largest snap peas, or fresh green garlic? For many of them it has brought the fun and adventure back into eating, and has gotten them out of their food ruts. If you would like to join in on the fun, sign up at www.ahorganics.com.