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 more vitamins and much better flavor than produce that may have been in the commercial food system for days or even weeks !

A Good Value for Your Grocery Budget

CSA is a good value for you and for us, in many ways.  First, $525 for 20 weeks is about $26 per week, and should be plenty of produce for a family of 4.  The value of the produce is based on retail prices at farm stands and farmers’ markets.  This fluctuates with the supply of produce from week to week.  In the early and late seasons when variety is more limited, the value of the box may be slightly less, in order not to inundate you with heaps of radishes and lettuce mix !  During peak season, we will be able to add a bit more to the box, 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 have added a new plastic-sided, solar-heated greenhouse to extend our harvest season to colder weather.

Yet unexpected things do happen.  Every year has its share of heat and cold, drought and downpours.  And you've heard us tell about the woodchucks who love to snack on very young vegetable plants !  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 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 box of produce, ready-&-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 ?  We can't promise to save your weekly share or give you a “make-up.”  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 pantry.  There are no refunds for missed pick-ups.

2. Is the produce “organic” ?  Many early 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.  We are enrolled in an up-to-date IPM program with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which brings scientists from the University of Connecticut out to our farm on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, to personally instruct us on the latest techniques to maintain sustainable and safe food production.

3.What kind of produce will I get ?  You receive a mixed sample of the produce ripening each week throughout the season.  The produce varies with the season and the weather.  Check the “What We Grow” and “What’s Growing On’” sections of our website, and the "Review of 2012" link above, 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 pack identical shares for everyone.  You will expand your food horizons by trying 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 pick up your share, so you can always pick-your-own 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.