CLEARLAKE – Organic heirloom tomatoes, okra, cantaloupes, corn, heirloom cucumbers, edamame, swiss chard, and more, fill the weekly community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes that the Lake County Community Co-op offers its members every Thursday.

Supplying CSA boxes is one venue that small farmers use to sell their products, along with farm stand sales, farmers' markets, grocery stores and on-farm sales.

The co-op is committed to using organic produce with a preference for locally grown whenever possible, and this week they were able to use organic produce from all local growers.

“It not only cuts down on the carbon footprint,” noted Co-op Education Committee member and vegan cooking teacher, Lori Patotzka, “but, the flavors and nutrition can be at their absolute peak.”

The co-op has coordinated a record number of local farmers for the CSA boxes, including the Kuchinski's from Clearlake, Hue De Laroque Farm from Clearlake Oaks, Yoxagoi Orchards, Barber's Country Farm, Van Muer's Farm and Love Farm from Kelseyville and Leonardis Organics from Lakeport.

The co-op also procures baked organic breads from Main Street Bakery in Kelseyville as an option for their members.

The boxes are available on a weekly basis through a monthly subscription service that is available online or through their drop point in Clearlake.

More information on how to become a member and purchase the CSA boxes is on the co-op's Web site at www.lakeco-op.org , or by calling 707-993-4270.