CSA, You Say? Healthy Summer Eating with Local Food Co-Ops
We’ve belonged to a local CSA for several years now, and from late-May through October we enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh vegetables we choose ourselves on bi-weekly trips to the location just across the river in Pennsylvania. The one we joined is called Tinicum CSA, and everything they offer is grown by the owners. The way our CSA works is that you can by shares – a small share or a big share – and when you go to pick them up you are allowed an assortment of vegetables based on which share you paid for. We get the big share … and it’s a lot! Today we brought home two kinds of cabbage, a bunch of turnips, green onions, chard, arugula, and lettuce. The types of vegetables available depend on what is coming to harvest at that time of year. Later in the summer there will be more tomatoes that you could eat, potatoes, beets, parsnips, okra, you name it. We get so much, in fact, that we give some away to our neighbors. (One of those neighbors trades us eggs from her truly free-range chickens, and when we buy them off-season we pay $3 a dozen! We love getting eggs from chickens whose lives are spent outside who are given love along with their chicken feed).
If you have a CSA near you, it’s a great investment – in food, time, and people. We always enjoy chatting with the owners and farmers who are there, and interacting with people we consider our neighbors, even if they’re from another state. We also have a vegetable garden in our back yard, but that’s another story for another day. If you can find a CSA near you, sign up! It’s community at its best.
We believe there are four essential elements of Tinicum CSA. First, we insist that what we do must be good for the members who participate in our CSA. We believe that what we grow is healthy, nourishing, and a good value for a full season of produce. Second, we commit to leaving the land on which we farm in even better growing condition than the way we received it. Third, we are determined that our efforts on the farm should afford us a dignified quality of life. And finally, as responsible citizens of the local community, we intend to do right by our neighbors, other local businesses, and the community.
The Land
We feel fortunate to be farming the fertile bottomland soil of the Schneiderwind farm which overlooks the scenic Delaware River, immediately across the bridge from Frenchtown, NJ. Over the years this land has evolved to support different kinds of production. In the past, Walter Schneiderwind grew primarily sweet corn and cut flowers here, and more recently, his son Craig manages the property and the Schneiderwind Farm & Nursery. These days the farm features a diversity of their own and local: annual and perennial flowers, landscape plants, honey, farm fresh eggs, maple syrup, produce, and seasonal items such as pumpkins and Christmas trees. We’re pleased to be working side-by-side with Craig to strengthen the tapestry of local agriculture in the Bucks County & Hunterdon County region.
About CSAs
Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) co-ops are a great way for individuals and families to access fresh, locally grown produce. CSA co-ops connect members with local farmers, allowing them to purchase shares in the farmer’s harvest in exchange for a weekly or bi-weekly delivery of fresh, seasonal produce. This not only supports the local economy but also ensures that consumers are getting food that has been grown using sustainable farming practices.
The majority of CSA co-ops are operated on a subscription basis where members pay up front for their produce, either at the beginning of the season or at regular intervals throughout the growing season. The amount of produce members receive in their boxes is determined by how much they paid for their share and the size and type of produce available from each farm. In addition to receiving fresh fruits and vegetables, many CSA co-ops offer members other products such as honey, eggs, dairy products, meats, baked goods, and jams & jellies.
In addition to providing members with nutritious and healthy food options, many CSA co-ops strive to create an atmosphere of connection within their communities. These organizations host events such as potlucks and cooking classes to bring together members who share a passion for local food production. Through these types of activities, CSA co-ops give people the opportunity to learn more about sustainable agriculture while also forging relationships with other like minded people who value freshness and quality over quantity and convenience.
Community Sponsored Agriculture co-ops provide a great resource for those looking for convenient access to locally farmed food while also being able to support sustainable agricultural practices in their community. Not only do these organizations provide fresh fruits and vegetables but they also give people an opportunity to connect with one another through social activities centered around healthful eating habits. With all these benefits combined it’s easy to see why CSA co-ops have become increasingly popular among people looking for ways to support their local farms while enjoying fresher food options in their diets.