Another way to utilize CSAs...make contact with the owner/operator and ask if they have leftover veggies or fruits that they would be willing to sell or trade to you at a reduced price. A lot of times they fill their orders and have a lot of produce leftover.

We have some neighbors who operate a CSA, so I know that some of the time they had so many leftover veggies they were feeding them to their pigs.

This is also a good idea if you know someone that has their own garden. Last year I called my Mom and asked her if I could drop by and help her can up all of her tomatoes for salsa, if I could have half the jars. She jumped at the chance,because her tomatoes were going to rot since she didn't have time to can them herself.

Contact local farmers who raise their own animals (if you're a meat eater) especially beef owners, sometimes they butcher them and will sell you a half, or quarter of a beef at a good price. The meat is usually pretty close to organic, much better quality than something you would get out of a feedlot. (Which is where grocery stores get theirs from)

Wow! Thank you all for such great advice! I am going to check out a CSA as soon as possible and hope I find one nearby. I live in a very small mountain town (village) ha ha in the mountains of North Carolina and there is not much in the way of shopping, but there are many farms nearby. I did not even know about CSA's, but love the idea! The nearest "real" city is Greenville, SC...about 2 hours away. They have a Whole Foods Store ( love it!) and I shop there about once every 10 days or so. I am also starting a community garden behind our church and it will be all organic, so I will have some veggies coming... I HOPE! Don't have a clue how to can ...maybe some of the ladies in the church can teach me. I am so thankful to have found this site..Thanks again!