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Just Roots: Big Bag of Hyperlocal Food With Side of Natural Beauty

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • Jun 22
  • 2 min read

Immersing in the Glory of Growing Produce at My Latest CSA Pickup


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

There are very practical reasons why I signed up for a bi-weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription at Just Roots Farm on Chicago's South Side.


There is the super-fresh, delicious, nutritious, hyperlocal food, with shelf life to last, if necessary, until the next pickup two weeks later.


There is the opportunity to better connect with one of my favorite mission-driven non-profits, which uses the proceeds from its CSA to improve access for those in their community who deal with food insecurity.


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

But there is also an aesthetic side to it all.


There is no doubt that Just Roots' Chicago farm is in the middle of the city. Those trains of the CTA's Green Line passing overhead every few minutes will remind you of that if you lose yourself in the moment.


Yet even the few minutes spent on this tiny urban farm while making my CSA pickup is an immersion in the beauty of nature and the miracle of regeneration. What was mostly bare earth with a few sprouts a month ago is now flourishing with a wide variety of edible plants. It's a beautiful respite at a time when there is a surplus of chaos in the world.


Please enjoy the following virtual tour, ending with my mighty CSA haul. Thanks to the Just Roots team both in Chicago and at their second, larger farm in south suburban Sauk Village. And happy birthday weekend to Sean Ruane, Just Roots' co-founder and director of operations and development.


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

Not surprisingly, but CSA bag was bulging with some super-sized greens: from left, chard, dill, head lettuce, collard greens, spinach, and pea shoots. The strawberries were provided to Just Roots by Mick Klug Farms (St. Joseph, Michigan).



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