CSA - COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge to support a farm operation so that the farm becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support, and sharing the benefits and risks of food production. The prime requisite is the belief by all members that the CSA system and the farm in particular is an integral part of their everyday life by providing vital sustenance to their families.
Typically, members or “shareholders” of the farm pledge in advance to cover many of the anticipated costs of the farm. In return, the members of the CSA share in the bounty produced by thr farm throughout the growing season, as well as the satisfaction gained from connecting to the land and directly participating in their own food production.
Direct sales to community provides a solid base for the farm by advancing working capital which results in greater financial security for the member’s source of food. The other source of income for the farm is participation in the green markets. The green markets’ income is instrumental in keeping the cost of the CSA program and certified organic foods within the reach of most people.
Norwich Meadows Farm CSA Program
Presently, Norwich Meadows Farm is providing quality food to seven various CSAs and soon to be eight. Five are located in New York City, one in Westchester County, and one in Norwich, the physical location of the farm. We have also partnered with a number of other farms in the upstate area to ensure continuous delivery and to offer a wider variety of products.
In addition, Norwich Meadows Farm also provides CSA shares to community groups, such as City Harvest. This year, we expect two more CSAs to form in Manhattan. One in the area of the South Street Seaport and the second at Columbia University. The Columbia University CSA will be a Fall/Winter share.
If you belong to a community or church group and want take control of your food supply, and improve its quality by starting a CSA in your area, please contact the farm. If you live in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester or Norwich and would like to join a CSA near you, contact each site for specifics.
Norwich, NY - Norwich CSA ------------------------------------- balmeter@roadrunner.com
Bronx, NY - Vancortlandt Village CSA -------------------------- VCVillageCSA@yahoo.com
Bronx, NY - Norwood CSA --------------------------------------- GJost@unhp.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------- www.NorwoodFoodCoop.org
Bronx, NY - Hebrew Institute of Riverdale CSA--------------- AndrewKastner@Hotmail.com
Manhattan, NY (Uptown) - Columbus Circle CSA ----------- ColumbusCircleCSA@Hotmail.com
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx TroyWeissmann@Yahoo.com
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Columbus Circxxxxxle website - www.ColumbusCircleCSA.org
Manhattan,NY (Midtown) - Prince George CSA -------------- dmayer@CommonGround.org
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx www.CommonGround.org/csa
Manhattan, NY - (Downtown) - Washington Sq CSA -------- Spunktasticdei@gmail.com
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.WashingtonSquareCSA.org
Manhattan, NY - (Downtown) - NYC Market CSA ---------- NorwichMeadowsFarm@Yahoo.com
NYC Market CSA
Manhattan, NY - (Downtown) - Stonehouse Seaport CSA--- nyc@StonehouseOliveOil.com
www.StonehouseOliveOil.com
Westchester County - Farmshare CSA -------------------------- Information@FarmShare.com
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------- www.MyFarmShare.com
NorwichMeadowsFarm@Yahoo.com
For general information on forming a CSA ---------------------- Paula@JustFood.org
---------------------------------------------------------------- ----- www.JustFood.org
For information on our New York City Market CSA, which works differently from the traditional CSA - CLICK HERE.
MORE ON CSAs
According to a recent UN report, “Corporate (industrial) farming is destroying the natural resource base and influencing the environment that is detrimental to humans.”
Unfortunately, the report has fallen on deaf ears with future prospects of governments and corporations correcting the situation at about zero. Instead, their answer is genetically engineered foods, more pesticides and more profits. They are not about people.
CSAs are about people, they are about your children and they are about your community forming a lasting bond with other members and the farmer. CSAs are the wave of the future and the only prospect that holds the hope of drastically changing the methods food production, distribution and the health of humankind.
Goals and Benefits of CSAs
The ultimate goal of the CSA is to gain control over our food supply and establish an economic system that benefits and ensures the small farmer’s existence, while at the same time improving the quality of food, the land, the health of the consumer, and the local economy. Gaining control and not being left to the mercy of a globalized system that is designed only for one purpose, to increase profits, is paramount. Food production should be designed for the survival of the people and not for the stockholder’s portfolio.
The development of CSAs came about for just these reasons. As the people became increasingly aware of the of the tenuous globalized system, the overuse of chemicals, their connection to cancer and other degenerative disease, and the continuously decreasing quality of food, CSAs became a reality.
The concept came to this country in the mid-eighties from Europe. Since then, the CSA model has been constantly growing. CSAs are now poised for more spectacular growth, as early problems and obstacles have been overcome. Worldwide publicity is hailing CSAs as the new socio-economic model of food production. The consuming public is intrigued with the idea of working and directly supporting local farmers. Many farms that were faltering are now surviving with the help of community members.
Changing from a “consumer” to a community CSA member may seem trival, but in reality it is a huge step in changing the economic paradigm from an uncontrollable system headed for destruction, to one of survival and quality.
CSAs are based on a “shared risk and reward” system. If there is an overabundance of crops, the members will receive more than what they paid for. If there is a shortage of a particular crop, the entire membership receives less that week. It should be emphasized that CSAs are not meant to be a “cheap” source of food. But, as time goes on and the global system deteriorates, CSAs may well become the less expensive alternative.
How Does It Work?
Each member joins for a season. Norwich Meadows Farm has a Summer and Winter Program. The Summer Share runs for 20 - 22 weeks, approximately June 1st to November 30th. The Winter Share runs for approximately 12 weeks, from December 15th to March 15th. All membership fees are paid before the start of each season. Collected fees enable the farmer to purchase seeds and equipment before all crops are grown.
As the season progresses, each member receives a set share of the weekly crops. The shares are picked up at a central distribution point determined by the individual CSAs. Content of the shares are determined by what crops were picked that week.
What Is the Cost?
An individual produce share is $275.00 for and individual and $550.00 for a family share. Members wanting more than a Family Share can purchase additional shares at $275.00. In addition to a Produce Share, there are also Meat, Chicken, Dairy (milk, cheese and yogurt), Egg and Fruit Shares available. These shares are additional. Cost and method of ordering is determined by the individual CSA. All interested members should contact the coordinator of their local CSA.
Keep in mind -- all of our products are certified organic!
NEW YORK CITY MARKET CSA
Norwich Meadows Farm also conducts a CSA right from its Market Stand in NYC. Anyone interested in joining, speak to Zaid or Haifa at the market stand or email us
FOR MORE INFORMATION
