Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
info and application in PDF format here: csainfo.pdf
This week’s share: what’s in it?
What does CSA stand for?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is "a connection between a farmer and the people who eat the food that the farmer produces." For many of us, this connection is broken - we don't know where our food comes from or the steps involved to get it to us. Our amazing global industrial food chain poses many worrisome issues for food safety, security, nutrition, and pollution. Part of CSA is visiting the farm to see the fields and to meet the farmers while being connected to a particular farm, its trials and its successes. In CSA, the consumer buys a food share in late winter, providing a capital infusion to the farm when outlay is great. The farmer then plans and grows food for known and valued consumers and distributes a weekly harvest of delicious, local, healthy food to shareholders. The exact contents of the harvest are never
certain, and it should be noted that there are risks inherent to farming, like the severe late blight outbreak that significantly reduced tomato crop yields in New England in 2009.
Who should join?
If you want fresh, delicious tasting food, our CSA is for you. Our list of crops is extensive and all are grown with an eye for quality, flavor and environmental conservation. We have chosen not to get certified organic status, but we do adhere to the standards and believe our practices actually deliver better product than you buy as “organic” in the store. Furthermore, it’s local and hasn’t travelled hundreds or thousands of miles to reach you. And, finally, as our world becomes more uncertain, it’s a good idea to encourage the growth of regionally-produced food.
How does it work?
Shares will be sold on a first come basis. A 50% deposit is required to reserve your share and full payment is due on or before March 1, 2010. Wednesday is share pickup day (see details under "weekly pickup".)
Weekly Pickup
Share distribution is on Thursdays from 7am to 7pm. Distributions not picked up during the pickup hours will be donated to a local charity.
CSA Season 2010 dates:
Spring season runs April 21 to May 26 (6 distributions).
Regular season runs June 3 to October 14 (20 distributions).
Fall season runs Oct 21 to November 24 (6 distributions).
CSA members who choose all three seasons will receive 32 weeks of local produce!
There will be an optional farm tour (date TBD) in spring.
Cost:
Full Share - approximately $35 worth of vegetables per week
Spring (4/21-5/26) $200
Summer (6/2-10/13) $600
Autumn (10/20-11/24) $200
Half Share - approximately $18 worth of vegetables per week
Spring (4/21-5/26) $110
Summer (6/2-10/13) $330
Autumn (10/20-11/24) $110
These prices reflect a 5-15% discount from retail prices.
How much is a share?
Here are some examples of what a weekly share distribution might comprise:
FULL SHARE: 1 bag arugula, 1 bag salad mix, 2 lb tomatoes, 1 bunch beets, 1 bunch swiss chard, 2 lb green beans, 1 bunch
scallions.
HALF SHARE: 1 bag salad mix, 1 lb tomatoes, 3/4 lb green beans, 1 bunch beets, small bunch swiss chard, 1 bunch scallions.
How many people will this feed? That really depends on your diet and cooking style. Are you a vegetarian or a juicer? Do you
love to cook or not so much?
What crops do we grow?
Greens
head lettuce
salad mix
spinach
swiss chard
kale
mustard greens
turnip greens
spicy asian green mixes
arugula
Asian crops
burdock root
bok choy
tsatsoi
komatsuna
mizuna
Root crops
Carrots
parnsips
Sunchokes (jerasalem artichokes)
beets
baby turnips
potatoes
garlic
onions
scallions
leeks
shallots
celery root
herbs
cilantro
basil
rosemary
tarragon
sage
parsley
mint
thyme
solanaceous crops
tomatoes
eggplant
bell pepper
hot peppers
green beans
pole beans
peas
cabbage
celery
Regional Additions
On occasion, we we may include items from
other regional farmers we respect. In
particular, we hope to provide you with some
sweet corn, seasonal fruit and mushrooms.
How can I sign up?
1. Download the PDF application at the top of this page.
2. Complete and send it to us with your payment.
3. Wait for your confirmation. If all shares are committed, we
will return your check and add you to the waiting list.
4. Plan to attend the farm tour in spring.
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5.Call 203-431-9914 with questions or visit www.GardenofIdeas.com.
Our self-serve farmstand will be open as in the past in case you aren’t ready to commit to CSA or you need additional
food.
Other exciting happenings:
We are planning to add prepared foods to our offerings this season. Stay tuned! Also, we will offer for sale a full line of wonderful vegetable plants and seeds to grow in your own garden.
To read more about the CSA model, click here.
647 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877 203-431-9914
