Fresh Sheet

Buy CSA shares, enjoy the payoff

Never mind the cold – garden starts are warm and snug inside the greenhouse at Pine Meadow Farm Center, where they are getting ready for growing season.

The farm and education center near Cheney is offering shares of community-supported agriculture that can be picked up at the farm or in Spokane. CSA members pay in advance to help support the farm and receive a box of produce each week during the growing season.

Pine Meadow Farm Center is a 32-acre nonprofit educational farm that offers education about nutrition, farming, gardening, the region’s food system and sustainable living. Executive Director Chrys Ostrander said the farm offers a 20 percent discount on CSA shares to low-income households. One share is $400 and can be paid in installments. The discounted shares are $325 and arrangements must be made in advance. There is an option for paying in installments of $25.

For more information or to order a share, go to www. pinemeadowfarm.org or reach the farm at (509) 217-2687.

Healthy eating, your way

Here are the last of the healthy eating tips from the registered dietitians of the Greater Spokane Dietetic Association. They shared healthy eating tips during March’s National Nutrition Month campaign, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.” Find more resources and recipes online at www.eatright washington.org/gsda and www.eatright.org.

• When eating out, it’s OK to make special requests, just keep them simple. For example, ask for a baked potato or side salad in place of french fries; no mayonnaise or bacon on your sandwich; sauces served on the side. – Stacy Lueck

• Add chopped vegetables to pasta sauce, lasagna or rice dishes. – Beth Abbey

• Make snack kabobs by putting cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks. – Julie Bunker

• Mix together low-fat cream cheese, mixed dried fruit pieces and shelled sunflower seeds. Spread on a toasted English muffin. – Kindra Spohn