Supporting Local Farming and Quality Food Production

When you join a CSA, you help to support a local farmer; you also help to maintain and protect local farmland in your community.  When you “buy local” instead of getting produce that is shipped in from great distances, it’s much better for the environment; you are also supporting your local economy.  You meet and know the farmer who is growing your food.  You know that the farmland is worked with care, to support the farm’s production and to ensure the future of local farming for generations to come.  And local, freshly-picked fruits and vegetables have many more vitamins and much better flavor than produce that may have been in the commercial food system for many days or even weeks!

A Good Value for Your Grocery Budget

CSA is a good value for you and for us, on many levels.  First, $525.00 for 20 weeks is about $26 per week, and should be plenty of produce (about 1/2 bushel) for a family of 4.  The value of the produce is based on retail prices at farm stands and farmers’ markets.  This will fluctuate with the supply of produce from week to week.  In the early and late seasons when the variety is more limited, the value of the box may be slightly less, in order not to inundate you with massive amounts of radishes and lettuce mix!  During peak season, we will be able to add a bit more to the box in order to take advantage of all the varieties of fruits and vegetables available at that time.

Your Share in the Adventure of Farming

Of course, farming is a risky business.  At Easy Pickin’s we do everything possible to mitigate this risk.  Our frost fan helps to protect our fruit from early season frosts.  Our farm fencing keeps deer out of our fields.  We supply our fruit orchard and berry patches with irrigation, and plan to add irrigation to our vegetable fields as well.  We are also planning to add another “hoop house” (a plastic greenhouse) to extend our harvest season to colder weather.

Yet unexpected things do happen.  Just recently we chased a woodchuck out of our greenhouse -- he or she had been snacking on our young tomato plants (of all things !).  The radiator of our frost fan was attacked and damaged by small animals, and we had to make a one-day rush repair in order to protect the farm from frost that night.  Members of the CSA do share in these varying risks from year to year.  We cannot guarantee how many pounds of a particular item of produce will be available, but by growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables we will do our best to provide each member with high value for their share.

What’s So Good About Joining a CSA?  Plenty!

Consider these benefits of joining a CSA:

·       Savings: Over the course of the season, farm stand prices are very competitive with supermarket prices.  And quality and freshness make local farm produce a better bargain for your grocery budget.

·       Health: We provide a large variety of fruits and vegetables, freshly-picked at optimum ripeness.  More variety, quality and flavor, and more vitamins: better nutrition for you.

·       Convenience: A generous 1/2 bushel box of produce is ready and waiting for you every week from June through October.

·       Community Strength: You support your local farmer with early season funds.  The farmer employs local help, and supports other local businesses as well as the food shelf and soup kitchen.

·       Environmental Quality: Your support helps to provide long-term stability and sustainability to your local farm.  Agricultural lands farmed with environmentally sound methods, and the surrounding open space, protect both air and water quality.  Your local farm is also a habitat for a beautiful variety of birds and butterflies.  And by buying local produce instead of what arrives at the supermarket by plane or truck, you reduce the fuel consumption and other environmental costs of your food for our whole planet.
  

Other Questions You Might Have About CSA at Easy Pickin’s

Below are some additional questions -- and answers -- about our CSA.  If there’s anything we haven’t covered, feel free to e-mail us and ask:  farmerb@easypickinsorchard.com .  Thanks!   
                        

1.What if I miss my pick-up ?  Sorry, but we cannot save your weekly share or give you a “make-up” share.  Produce is very perishable, so if you’re not available on your pick-up day we encourage you to arrange with a friend or family member to pick up your share that week.  Shares not picked up at the designated time will be donated to our local food shelf.  There will be no refunds for missed pick-ups.

2. Is the produce “organic” ?  Many of the earliest CSAs began on “organic” farms.  While vegetables are somewhat suited to organic production, fruits are more difficult to grow with this method.  At our farm, we choose to use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.  With IPM, we use some of the best organic methods and limit our use of conventional pesticides, in order to grow the highest quality and safest produce we possibly can.

3.What kind of produce will I get ?  You will receive a mixed sample of the produce that is ripening each week throughout the season.  The produce will vary with the season and the weather.  Check the “What We Grow” and “What’s Growing On’” sections of our website to see the list of possibilities.

4. Can I order specific produce for my share ?  No.  To make this a practical and affordable system, we will pack identical shares for everyone.  This can expand your food horizons by encouraging you to try something new and exciting!

5. What if I would like more of some items -- like tomatoes or beans ?  You’ll be at the farm to make your pick-up, so you can always pick-your-own or buy extra from the stand while you’re here.

6. Can I pick up on a different day ?  No.  Sorry, but we ask that you select a specific pick-up day so that we can pack the needed number of shares for that day.

7. I don’t have a family of four.  Can I purchase a smaller share ?  Not at this time.  Since this is a pilot, we’re keeping it simple for our first CSA season.  Consider splitting a share with your friends or other family members.  Then every week will be like opening birthday presents together !

Click here for the 2010 CSA Application.