I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of something being simple, but not easy. Something that isn’t complicated but is challenging. I think that for most people, eating from a CSA is this way. It’s simple to come to the store, pick out what we have, look at the meat sheet, and work with what you got, talk to us in the store, and head home. But it’s quite hard to change your lifestyle to make sure you have time to come out to the farm, be limited by seasonal ingredients, try new meat cuts and not just rely on bacon and chicken breast, and make food community-oriented, rather than an impersonal grocery store experience. It’s easy to say “I can’t make that work for my lifestyle,” and give up before you’ve even tried. It’s much harder to be intentional about prepping food, finding recipes, finding the time, and trying new things. I applaud you. And let me remind you of something I said last year.

As much as the modern food system makes it hard to believe, eating seasonally and locally is actually a powerful way to simplify life. Letting your environment choose for you takes a huge mental load off. Instead of walking into a grocery store and choosing from hundreds of options, nature narrows it down. And believe me, she knows better than any of us what our bodies and our planet need.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by, well, life, sit back and let nature take the reins. I promise, she won’t lead you astray.

Lean into the simplicity of fewer choices, seasonal offerings, and this community. But don’t forget that what you’re doing is a challenge most people don’t dare to take on. What you’re doing is direct action to a more fruitful future! Give yourself a round of applause!