CSA's: Fresh From the Farm
This model provides the farm with the cash it needs up front in order to move ahead with the planting and care of its crops and livestock. In many cases it also assists the farmer in determining what crops to plant, based on the needs of his shareholders.
CSA members pre-purchase their subscription for a particular season, most often the “summer” season which runs from June through October, though winter shares are equally beneficial. The CSA then provides its members with a bag or box of fresh produce on a weekly basis during the peak growing season. Typically the week's shares are distributed at a specified drop-off point where members can pick them up rather than driving out to the farm. Shares mostly include vegetables and fruit but can also include meat, eggs, honey, herbs, flowers, or other farm products. Many CSA's allow for substitutions when it comes to allergies and dietary restrictions.
By pre-purchasing a season's share, members are assisting the farm in purchasing seeds, compost, irrigation, equipment, labor, etc. up front. Though members make the commitment to support the farm and share in its bounty, they also commit to share in its risks (poor weather conditions or other detrimental occurrences). The cost of a share varies from farm to farm; some offer year-round shares, seasonal shares, or even half shares. Others offer shares that are very specific, purchasing portions of a cow or pig are also popular options. Certain CSA's even offer a work share option where members work on the farm or distribution points to waive or discount share fees. New York State has recently passed legislation allowing people that receive food stamps to apply them to farm shares.
CSA farms use ecologically friendly techniques that benefit the soil and support sustainability. Most of them grow food naturally or organically, abstaining from pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers. Native Offerings, one of the area's largest CSA farms perhaps said it best: “By supporting us you not only get incredibly fresh and great tasting vegetables full of nutrients and vitality, but a food source you can trust.”
There are a number of good CSA's out there. We've only been able to find two that offer drop-offs in the city, both of which are listed below. Look for an upcoming piece on CSA's in the area, those that drop off in the city and those that require you to take a trip to the farm.
Porter Farms has been family owned and operated since beginning their CSA in 1996. They've been growing Organically for 17 years. The farm is looking for another 100+ members. They have drop-off sites in Buffalo, Rochester and Grand Island. Their produce can also be found at The Lexington Co-op and at St. Joseph's University Parish at UB.
Porter Farms
5020 Edgerton Road, Elba, NY 14058
585.757.6823
http://porterfarms.org/
Native Offerings was the first CSA in Erie County and is a certified Naturally Grown farm. Run by Stew and Deb Ritchie along with their 3 young children, they offer mostly vegetables but work with other local organizations and farms to provide their members with fruit, seeds, hay, honey, butter, grain, potting mix, eggs, meat, and maple syrup. They have drop off points in Buffalo, Orchard Park, Amherst, and Williamsville.
Native Offerings
8501 Maples Road at Scotts Corner Road, Little Valley, NY 14755
716.257.3006
http://nativeofferings.com/
**Photo is an example of a single week's delivery with a summer share.
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Comment Options
Vylit
Has anyone ever bought a CSA share? A friend just told me to read "Skinny Bitch" and thanks to the quotes from the slaughterhouse workers I am upping the veggies, needless to say.
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rdominguez
Great article; the CSA model is terrific.
Yes, I've had vegetable shares before. They're great if you enjoy eating locally and seasonally, and also if you like the challenge of cooking whatever comes your way. Sometimes it's tough to finish everything before your next shipment arrives! If you're new to a CSA and aren't sure if you'll eat everything (for instance, if you're a single person), you can always get a half share with a friend. Even if the CSA farm doesn't offer half shares, you can always go in on one full share with someone you know and split the bounty each week. This could potentially be really good if one of you loves a certain vegetable and another hates it. :)
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al-alo
hey vylit,
i have a share at porter farms. i have yet to be disapointed. the weekly bags of course, vary by season. early o, we recieved a lot of lettuce and springveggies. then more mellons and yellow squash if i remember correctly, last week, we recieved tomatos, peppers, zuccini, yellow squash, cabbage, eggplant, onions and peppers.
i weighed a bag early on, and if my numbers are right, i think it worked out to about a buck a pound. cant beat that at store. and dont forget its local and organic!
the only problem is finding a use for all of it. i think ill be making home made 'kraut soon. ad i think i have to start canning.
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maureen12
I have a Native Offerings Fruit Share, and it's fantastic!
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Spicey
I am new to the concept of CSA, and will find out the background today. My thoughts are this. I currently own a store at a Famous Market in Buffalo. The concept has been brought up to bring CSA to this area to foster local eating and supporting farmers, but to also bring more traffic into our suffering customer base. I understand the concept of bringing customers with this type of program, but it seems it would hurt our local vendors that are selling produce. Now these vendors may not have local vegetables at all, or at all times. So help me to understand how this will not affect our struggling vendors, and even places such as Clintion Bailey Farmers Markets. I deal with distributors everyday in my business so I understand the concepts of the "middle man", but even understanding taking out the middle man I benifit from distributors just based on the fact that most of mine are giving free shipping verses buying direct. The few cents I save gets gouged in shipping fees. Okay I digressed. I am all for local farmers, local food building a great traffic for my store, but at what costs to our vendors? Now I am very naive to the concept of this all so please be kind. Spicey
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sbrof
Spicey, I think that bringing in CSA's or some sort of cooperation to with the Clinton-Bailey Market people (especially in the winter) would be a huge boost to the markets business. Would it increase the competition for some of the current venders, sure it would, but that isn't a bad thing. Competition is good because it offers variety to the consumer.
It would also promote the market as something it hasn't been for a long time. A place to go and shop for daily needs but at the same time capitalize on a niche that isn't available at a lot of places. Bringing fresh produce to the market would guarantee for the people willing to make a trip that they are going to receive quality at a good price. I often would go to the C-B market and then stop at the Broadway Market on the way home. They offer two different types of food. Most of the reasons I go to the market is for meat, fish, bread, spices, candy. I don't go there, especially in the summer months for produce. Because it isn't as reliable as the markets are. It should be.
So while it might put pressure one / two venders in the short term it would definitely help the market overall. Maybe they would need to focus on products not served from the CSA's or produce some processed good, or provide the out of season produce when the CSA's don't have them. Either way I think you can start to see how it would make the market a better place for shopping. Especially considering that it can be out of the way or a decision to go to you want to make sure people are getting the most of their visit.
Same reason why I feel you should open the market to other ethnicities food. Were is the halal stand, the kebab stand etc. There is HUGE potential to creating the diverse atmosphere that people want would be willing to make the trip for. I could go on but I am already probably considered a blog hog.
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