CSA:The Joys of Giving and Greed
Saturday we had our first CSA meeting of the season. Mostly warnings about shift slacking and the hellfire the Core will bring upon you in retaliation. But there were also two really great unexpected things of note. First the joy of giving. An area of concern of mine after reading the article Beany posted on her blog about CSAs and under-incomed families was what exactly we were doing with our “charity” portion. Our CSA has an official policy of offering reduced shares for lower and no income applicants. The problem? There are no lower and no income applicants. Our CSA actually has a waiting list with full paying members. They don’t even have to advertise. So what did the Core decide to do? Instead of handing the money back to us saying, ahhhh skip that whole let everyone eat organic food ambition, they decided to purchase 4 full shares that are donated each week to a choice of shelters and kitchens. They created a list of charitable organizations in the area that feed people and allow whomever happens to be on cleanup duty to choose one for drop off. I thought it was a really good, simple, and wonderful way to share our bounty and support our farmer at the same time.
Now for what is for me, me, me, me, oink. The second wonderful news of the day was that we are expanding to include service from CSA Pastured Meat and Poultry, an organization that delivers farm raised goods to city CSAs. This includes a huge list of upsate New York goods: eggs, honey, maple syrup, cheese, chickens, turkeys, ducks. (They also have beef and lamb, but not really my thing.) Couldn’t be easier. We can individually order what we want on line and CSAPM&P sends a delivery to our CSA’s door on distribution day with little personal bundles of joy. This could totally save my butt on my riot numbers for food! (More on the state of my riot butt tom.)
delurking to say…Hey! I think we may belong to the same CSA
I am beside myself with excitement over the meat and poultry delivery. I think finally our Riot numbers are going to be where I want them as well.
Welcome lurker. Are you part of the Church in the Gardens CSA?
I am indeed! What a small world this internet is.
Good for your CSA - excellent for supporting the less fortunate. I wonder what the vendors at farmers’ market do with their excess produce. I will find out if they too donate to shelters or other needy organizations.
This is so great!
I also thought I’d mention that the organization here the puts many of the markets together accepts EBT (foodstamps) and puts signs all over the place saying they are accepted. Unfortunately many of the markets are in middle-high income areas of the city. But its a start.
Hi there! Just found your blog and look forward to reading more. We share an interest in all things green and especially CSAs, which I’ve blogged a lot about too. Our CSA is ovo-lacto-vegetarian. Don’t think meat would go over too big with our crowd…! But it’s really interesting to see how they can differ. Love the charitable giving aspect of yours.