As we welcome the New Year, many of us resolve to eat healthier, spend more time together as a family, and make choices that benefit our well-being and the planet. But how do we turn these good intentions into lasting habits? One of the easiest and most fulfilling ways is forging a deeper connection with your food and where it comes from. By joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, shopping locally at a farm stand, and exploring pick-your-own fruit adventures, you can turn your resolutions into a lifestyle you’ll love.

Meet Peterson Farm’s CSA: Your Fresh Start to the Year
Peterson Farm’s CSA in New Jersey is more than just a box of vegetables—it's an opportunity to change your relationship with food. When you join our CSA, you’re committing to enjoy the best local produce each week straight from our fields to your table. From early-season asparagus and leafy greens to summer’s juicy tomatoes and zucchini and fall’s bountiful pumpkins and winter squash, you’ll get an authentic taste of the seasons.

Why a CSA Is the Perfect Fit for Your New Year’s Resolution:

1. Healthier Eating, Made Easy:
   Instead of wandering grocery store aisles guessing what’s freshest, your CSA share arrives packed with vibrant, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. With the guesswork gone, you’re more likely to incorporate these wholesome ingredients into your meals.
2. Embrace Variety and Adventure:
   Every CSA box invites you to embark on a culinary adventure. It's a chance to try something new—maybe a vegetable you’ve never cooked with or a fruit at the peak of its flavor. This culinary exploration is a fun, creative challenge that encourages you to discover new recipes, cuisines, and cooking techniques, making your meals a delightful journey of discovery.
3. Support Local Agriculture and the Planet:
   By joining a CSA, you become part of a community that champions local farming. Your upfront investment helps farmers plan, plant, and harvest responsibly, reducing food waste and transportation costs. You'll also feel good knowing you’re returning your food dollars to the local economy.
4. Convenience and Flexibility:
   At Peterson Farm, we understand that life can be busy. That's why we offer multiple share sizes, so you have the right fit whether you’re cooking for a family of five or just for yourself. You can pick up your weekly box on Wednesdays at the farm or on Saturdays at the Montgomery Farmers Market in Skillman, NJ—or opt for delivery within seven miles of the farm. It’s healthy eating tailored to your life, giving you the power to eat well without stress.

Explore Our Farm Stand: Fresh, Local Goodness Every Week
If a CSA share isn’t quite right for you—or if you want to supplement your box—our farm stand is stocked with fresh, seasonal produce throughout the growing season. Stopping by the farm stand is more than just a shopping trip; it's a chance to reconnect with the source of your food and the people who grow it. Every visit is an opportunity to pick up that day’s crisp lettuce, sun-warmed tomatoes, or fragrant basil, chat with our farmers, learn about what’s growing, and find inspiration for your next meal. It's a community experience that makes your food journey more meaningful.

Pick-Your-Own Fruit: A Delicious, Family-Friendly Adventure
Beyond the CSA and farm stand, Peterson Farm offers pick-your-own fruit experiences that bring you and your loved ones closer to nature. There’s nothing like strolling through the orchard on a sunny morning, selecting the ripest peaches or crisp apples. It’s a hands-on way to teach children where their food comes from, encourage a love of fresh produce, and make memories that last a lifetime.

The Benefits of Picking Your Fruit:

• Taste the Difference: Fruit picked at its peak ripeness offers incomparable sweetness and flavor.
• A Fun Family Outing: Turn healthy eating into a day of discovery. Everyone loves the thrill of hunting for the perfect strawberry or apple, and kids especially will relish the reward of snacking on their “finds” later.
• Seasonal Appreciation: Picking your fruit immerses you in the rhythm of the seasons, helping you appreciate the natural cycles of growth and harvest.

Creating a Holistic Food Experience
Combine these three elements—CSA membership, farm stand visits, and pick-your-own fruit outings—and you’ll create a food lifestyle that’s both healthier and more fulfilling. You’ll fill your kitchen with nutrient-packed produce, deepen your connection to the land, and support local, sustainable agriculture. Every meal becomes a story: the tomato you slice for your salad might have been harvested that morning, and the peaches in your pie could have been lovingly chosen straight from the orchard.

Make 2024 Your Freshest Year Yet
This New Year, instead of making a promise that’s hard to keep, give yourself the gift of an environment that supports it. At Peterson Farm, we’re here to help you eat better, live more sustainably, and enjoy your food like never before.

How to Get Started:

• Join Our CSA: Contact Jake at 908-878-7303 or email [email protected] to learn more and sign up.
• Visit Our Farm Stand: Swing to pick fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the season.
• Pick Your Own: Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates on when our fields and orchards are open for pick-your-own adventures.

This year, let’s celebrate health, community, and the flavors of New Jersey’s best produce. Embrace the simplicity and joy of seasonal eating—and watch as your New Year’s resolution becomes a delicious, enriching reality.

Resources

1. OUR CSA
2. U-PICK FRUIT