SPLURGE Home-grown food is way more delicious than the stuff in the sale bin at Jewel. With a share in a Community Supported Agriculture membership, cooks receive weekly deliveries of tasty ingredients (everything from produce and meat to cheese and eggs) from local farmers—and constant inspiration to experiment with new recipes. The hard part is waiting for deliveries (and warmer weather) to arrive. Terms and prices vary by CSA. For example, a nine-week April and May share from Genesis Growers (genesis-growers.com), which grows 250 varieties of fruits and veggies, is $220. Find a pick-up spot in your friend’s neighborhood at familyfarmed.org/csa_list.html.

BUDGET Register your friend for one of those “underground” dinner parties foodies are buzzing about. Andrea Newberry, host of forkableblog.com, says her intimate events not only give you a chance to eat a fab dinner, you can also chat up fellow gourmands. While she cooks dinner and dessert in the kitchen, guests share BYO bottles of wine. The next supper club will be in January. $25–$30 suggested donation, sign up for a gift card at forkableblog.com or e-mail Newberry at forkable.blog@gmail.com.

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