Arkansas CSA's

For all you Searcy people who've complained of not having a CSA available in your area, I did some research. There are some good options for you that drop off in Little Rock and Conway weekly or monthly. If several families participated, you could each take a turn driving to pick up your boxes. Here are a few ways in your area to support local agriculture and get some great produce.

1. Cherokee Farms is a pretty traditional CSA that delivers to the L.R. Farmers Market and to Conway weekly.
2. Here's a great article about local produce, meat, farms, and restaurants in Arkansas.
3. Check out this cool, year round Basket a Month program (BAM)! I wish we had this in Nashville for the winter seasons. It's a fun and inexpensive way to support local agriculture and broaden your cooking repertoire. Here's the skinny: You pay upfront for 3 months ($180). For $60/month, you get one of these huge baskets full of:
   

• 1/2 gallon farm-fresh milk


• 1/2 pound raw milk cheese


• 1 dozen eggs, 1 pound meat (or vegetarian item of equal value)


• 1 bag salad greens


• 1 pound rice, handmade pasta, or 1 loaf fresh baked bread


• a selection of fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, etc. according to season


• A prepared food such as jelly, honey or sauce

Here's an example of what was in February's basket...

• Organic Shiitake Mushrooms


• Organic Short Grain Brown Rice, Arkansas Natural Spring Mix


• Arkansas Grown Sweet Potatoes


• Argenta Fresh Baked Fococcia


• Apple Butter or Smoked Peppers


• 1/2 Gallon Arkansas Milk


• 1 pint Smooth & Rich Chocolate Milk


• 1/2 pound Raw Milk Cheese


• 1 dozen Farm Fresh Eggs


• 2 pounds Ground Beef from Foodshed Farm (whole farm basket)


• Spinach, Romaine, Watercress (vegetarian basket)