February is an uffish kind of month. In some parts of the country, you can almost smell spring in the air, yet we're still in the throes of deep-winter eating (though we've heard reports of lucky Vancouverites already harvesting early rhubarb). And hooray! Fresh seafood like clams, crab, mussels, oysters and scallops are back on the table.
Here's what you can expect to find at many local markets:
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(Image: Flickr member The Shopping Sherpa, via Creative Commons)
In some parts of the country, we're still in the throes of winter, so planning now for summer fare may seem far-fetched. But if you want to enjoy the full bounty of summertime, this is the time to start thinking about where your food will be coming from. (As an added bonus, you have an excuse to start dreaming about peaches, strawberries, basil and corn.)
Research and find a CSA
If you're not familiar with this increasingly popular concept, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Participants buy shares in the yield from a local farm. All summer long, as crops are harvested, shareholders receive weekly deliveries of a wide variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Having fresh produce delivered weekly is a definite inspiration to eat locally and healthfully. This is the time to sign up for a CSA, as the number of shares is limited, and some CSAs sell out quickly.
Plant a garden
Even if you don't have a lot of outdoor space, you'd be amazed at how much you can grow in just a few square feet, or even some pots. We've found that you get the most bang for your gardening buck by planting high-yield crops like mixed leafy greens, tomatoes, zucchini and herbs. Get a seed catalogue and start planning now, and you'll be ready to hit the ground running by springtime.
Get a community garden plot
If you don't have any outdoor space, find out if there are any community gardens in your area. Like CSAs, community garden plots are in high demand in some areas, so again, this is the time to do your research.
Consider yardsharing
If there aren't any community gardens in your neighbourhood, or if they're already full up, consider yardsharing. The organization Sharing Backyards links people with unused yard space with those looking for a place to grow food. The program has chapters around the world. Having done this ourselves, we can tell you that this is a fun way to meet new people and learn alongside each other.
Start a community garden
If you're up to a project that will more than pay off the hard work involved, consider starting up a community garden yourself. This article provides a step-by-step tutorial in how to make at happen.
Plan some foraging expeditions
And if you're feeling really adventurous, start researching what you can forage in your area. You might be amazed at what you can find just by donning boots and work gloves and doing some bushwhacking. Fiddleheads and morels in the spring. Wild greens and berries in the summer. Mushrooms in the fall. Even dandelions! If you're unsure of yourself, team up with an experienced forager for your inaugural expeditions.
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