Well Fed On the Town

Organic foods are booming this year, up by massive percentages from years past. It’s no longer just Whole Foods bringing people their fresh produce, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Groups have been gaining support around the country and now is a great time to sign up.

It’s no surprise. With massive support this year from the PBS documentary, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, the words of Michael Pollan being taken to heart, more people concerned about how they eat, and press all over the place (here, here and here are a few), enthusiasts of fresh produce are getting in on the ground level.

CSAs form a partnership between a local farm and a neighborhood– the two are usually within 200 miles of each other. Before the growing season starts, each member of a CSA purchases a produce share, usually between 6 and 10 different crops, sizes and produce depend on the farmer. Many CSAs also pair with fruit farms, meat/ dairy, honey purveyors and more– it all depends on the demand of the group and what is produced locally.

When the growing season begins (end of May/ early June), fresh vegetables get delivered weekly to a central location in the neighborhood, chosen by the group. The growing season lasts 15-27 weeks (also depending on the farmer, the weather and the area) and some even stretch into the winter months. Since the shares are purchased before the season begins, members just show up on distribution day and grab their share of that week’s bounty. Paying pre-season (now in most cases) can often scare members away. Heavy rains may kill your farmer’s strawberry crop or a drought may destroy seedlings. Farmers usually make up for this by planting some crops in greenhouses or quick-growing crops in the field so there will always be something to offer. On the positive, Mother Nature can bring a higher return on one’s investment. An excellent season means an abundance that gets passed on to members at no extra cost.

The prepaid system for farmers allows them to concentrate on farming, hiring labor and seeding pre-season. It also helps them avoid taking out high-interest loans or having to sell off land to developers. Many farmers develop close community ties, inviting their members to visit the farm throughout the year for strawberry-picking days and fall festivals. (I just attended a Spring Walking Tour on my farm and saw my future foods grow.)

Community Supported Agriculture groups are volunteer-driven, with each member offering their time once or twice a season to help out, usually during distribution. Members often spearhead the formation of new groups and spend their winter developing them, planning membership drives and meeting with the farmers.

In New York City, Just Food is essential to the process, as the organization assists residents interested in forming groups by connecting them with farmers. Right now there are over 50 CSAs in New York City’s 5 boroughs alone, with hundreds more across the country.

Local Harvest offers a listing of Community Supported Agriculture groups around the country, searchable by zip, and make a great resource.

If you want in, act now as many groups are reaching capacity… Don’t forget to enjoy your fresh produce!

A similar text was printed by the author for the Queens Chronicle.