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Mitchell Farms Produce
Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) for 2009
Why Mitchell Farms CSA?
At Mitchell Farms Produce, we want to bring our customers the freshest and highest quality produce available in Central Illinois. We want our members to experience the diversity of foods grown in the central Illinois area. In addition to growing varieties that you won’t find in your grocery store, we grow crops that you expect to find in the Mid-West in the summer: sweet corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes and cucumbers.
What is CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a rapidly growing phenomenon in the United States. Members of a CSA, often known as shareholders, buy a pre-paid subscription in exchange for a weekly distribution of fresh, local vegetables and fruits. Freshly picked, locally grown food means a higher quality of food prepared for your family.
An important tenet of any CSA is that the members pledge at the start of the season to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation. In return, they receive shares in the bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and to eating locally. Members also share in risks, such as bad weather, crop failure or pests. This was realized in 2008, the wettest 6 months since 1895, with crop failures in zucchini & summer squash.
What are the benefits of participating in a CSA?
The greatest benefit of being in Mitchell Farms CSA is the quality of the food items you will receive. As a CSA member with Mitchell Farms Produce, you are guaranteed the “pick of the crop”. All vegetables are harvested the night before or that morning and have just a short ride from the farm to our pick up location. A tomato or cantaloupe ripened on the vine will taste far better than one that was picked, refrigerated and shipped hundred or thousands of miles to a store. All produce is hand harvested, which prevents damage.
Health benefits are another reason to join a CSA. If you have a regular supply of quality vegetables, you will be more likely to eat a healthy home cooked meal, rather than defaulting to take out or restaurant dinners. Worried about preparing or trying an unfamiliar food? Recipes are provided, often from other CSA members and I am always willing to talk over a recipe. We strive to provide a sufficient quantity of edible items to replace a weekly trip to the grocery store.
What will I receive each week?
This is the best part! As the growing season moves along, the items available will vary from week to week. At the start of the season, it may not seem like there is much in your box except for radishes, onions and lettuce. In Illinois, we are just entering the growing season and only plants that are hardy enough for our often cold, wet springs are ready in early May.
Your patience will be rewarded as the season progresses into June with green beans, broccoli, and the early zucchini and squash begin to appear. July & August are the “heavy-hitter” months with tomatoes and sweet corn showing up, followed by cantaloupe and watermelon in late July and into August. We believe in being generous with the portions—you may have enough to share with your friends! We are also fortunate enough to “swap” with other local farmers to supplement your weekly share with items that we don’t grow or only grow for a short season such as basil, cooking greens and late spring lettuces.
When do I pick up my share and where is it?
The pick-up location for 2009 will be at our home, 5 MarvinGardens in BloomingtonIL. Pick up will be Wednesdays between 5 and 7 pm. If you recommend us to a friend and your friend joins the CSA, we will take $20.00 off your CSA share and your recommended friend’s share for 2009!
Again, we will only be taking a limited number of shares so get your application in early!
What if I can’t pick up my share?
We recognize that life gets in the way sometimes and that some people get to take summer vacations! If you cannot pick up your share at the specified time, you may designate someone else to pick up your share. If special circumstances arise, give us a call and we can work something out.
Can I share my “share”?
Absolutely! Just like kindergarten, sharing is great fun, especially when it tastes good. Don’t care for bell peppers, but picked up 2 in your share? See if your neighbor or co-worker could use them. Another option is for families to split the cost of a full share and alternate pick up weeks or split the share in half. This is a great idea when you only have one or two people to feed.
2009 CSA Information
The cost for the 2008 CSA is $325 for 15 weeks of produce beginning (to be determined, but mid-May) and continuing weekly for 15 weeks. Payment is due March 1, 2009. If you wish to enroll or have questions, please e-mail us at pattm1966@comcast.net. More information on CSA is on our website: www.mitchellproduce.com
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