Greensgrow, Philadelphia’s nonprofit success model for urban farming, invites Philadelphians to join them in a national movement to support the third annual CSA Sign-Up Day on February 23rd.
On this day that celebrates Community-Supported Agriculture, people are encouraged to subscribe to a season’s worth of sustainable, locally grown produce that will be distributed throughout the summer harvest season. Early registration gives farmers the security of a pending revenue stream when they need it most for the growing season. Learn more and register here.
“Greensgrow created its program 17 years ago as a way to help our incredible local farmers better access the city market, helping them stay viable in a changing economy,” says Ryan Kuck, Executive Director of Greensgrow. “Our program has continued to grow because people want to remain connected to the sources of their food while benefiting from the convenience of urban life.”
Now called the Greensgrow Farm Share, each member pays for a seasonal share of food and, in exchange, receives a diverse array of mixed seasonal fruits and vegetables and a choice of dairy or veggie protein. The farm share may also include items such as cheese, honey, cider and other prepared items. Each member becomes a partner with Greensgrow’s community of local participating farms, with a commitment to eating locally, enjoying fresh produce and the pleasure of knowing where and how their food is grown. The Farm Share Program has grown to serve more than 800 local families and has developed relationships with more than 90 small farmers in Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware. More than half of Farm Share members polled indicate that participation has helped them make positive lifestyles changes, including consuming a greater variety of produce, cooking more and making more thoughtful food decisions.
“Our goal is to bridge the urban/rural divide by providing Philadelphians with the finest and freshest the region has to offer while supporting our local family farms and neighboring small businesses,” says Kuck. “We have modeled the Farm Share around how people truly cook and eat, catering to our distinctly urban following. You can eat well while knowing you’re helping to build a better world.”
“Community-supported agriculture is all about relationships and feeding families,” says Simon Huntley, CEO of Small Farm Central, and the founder of National CSA Sign-Up Day. “CSA farmers typically teach members what’s in season throughout the year and help them appreciate and cook food to which they may not otherwise be exposed.”
A Greensgrow Farm Share investment enables small farmers to continue growing on a scale that may not be sustainable otherwise, helps reduce the environmental impacts of transportation, creates more diverse shares and ultimately saves farmers time and money.
Full shares can be purchased for just $33.33 per week for 24 weeks. Half shares include the same amount of food but are picked up every other week. Greensgrow offers low-cost options for SNAP-eligible members, too.
Greensgrow Summer Farm Share Pick Up Locations http://www.greensgrow.org/csa/summer-csa/locations/
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