"Voracious: Eating In, Out and Around Seattle," Seattle Weekly's popular food blog, has named Nash's Organic Produce Farm Share Program in its list of Top Five CSAs in the Seattle area. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, which is a socioeconomic model of food production where eaters purchase shares in a farm, and in return receive a weekly box of seasonal food in the peak of the harvest season. The "Voracious" Top Five were based on readers' recommendations and other criteria.

The top two CSA programs named in the blog - Nash's Organic Produce in Sequim ( No. 2) and Helsing Junction in Chehalis (No. 1) - both distribute boxes that contain almost entirely their own farm's products, in keeping with the original spirit of community supported agriculture.

Farm Share member support is critical in the spring, when Nash's Organic Produce invests time and infrastructure to produce over 100 varieties of veggies, fruits, grains, flours and seed crops. CSA members share in the successes and struggles of the season with the farmer, and become directly connected to the people and the land that produce their food. CSA members know when they vote with their food dollars that they are directly supporting diversified farms that create good jobs, protect farmland, train future farmers and grow healthy food

for their communities from within their communities.

Nash's Organic Produce is selling Farm Shares for its 20-week Summer/Fall program and offers a $50 Early Bird Discount to folks who sign up by May 31. More info is available at www.nashsorganicproduce.com or via Farm Share Program Coordinator Sid Maroney at 681-6289.

"We're looking good out there so far," said farmer Nash Huber about the state of early spinach, baby bok choi and radishes the harvest crew was picking in preparation for the busy farmers markets of the weekend ahead. "Thanks to CSA members and all the folks who come out and buy their food directly from farmers every week, it's going be another great year."