It's back to school for many of our youngest CSA members.  With this season's distribution quickly coming to an end, I thought I'd put aside my typical food-related musings and focus more on something even dearer to me.  I'd like to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you.  Never really knowing what the next year will bring, I feel it is important and time to share how much I delight seeing all our members, young and 'older' every week.  For me, it has always been more than" just the vegetables."  That's not an easy thing to say for a pediatric dietitian.  I so enjoy the wonderful people that share Friday afternoons with us, sharing their stories, recipes and smiles. I love the effect that coming to the farm every week has had on a child's understanding of where food comes from and how seasons affect what grows when.  I would also like to point out the difference I believe you are making.  Every week you are supporting several organic farms.  You are supporting a way of life that values our farmers.  You are supporting clean air and clean water.  Ultimately as more organic farms are being established, you are supporting choice when not that long ago, organic fruits and vegetables were limited and much more costly.  From my perspective, you are supporting our children's' future health and quality of life.  I believe organic farmers and those who support them already understand this and how it goes well beyond tasty fruits and vegetables.  It is undoubtedly an unrelenting passion for a gentler, healthier and more connected place to live.

 This month I had the privilege of seeing one of our youngest members at the farm take his first steps. As a mom and pediatric dietitian, I also revel in hearing children plead (yes plead) with their parents or grandparents for kale! Last year several of our members were awaiting the birth of their first child. I was comforted knowing that the food they were bringing home would nourish them. I  felt relief that they didn't need to scrub and peel their foods in attempts to remove pesticide residues.  At a time when research keeps mounting on the harmful associated affects of pesticides particular as it relates to young children, I envision a day when farms won't need to obtain special certifications to segregate vegetables.  Imagine a day when just a light rinse to remove the clinging soil from all produce suffices; no special tags or certifications needed.  I can...