Community Supported Agriculture

What is it?

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer. Farmers are able to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before the hard work begins, they receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow and they get an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow.

Consumers eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits, get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking and  develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food.

In addition to these benefits, a Rodef Shalom-based CSA will allow us to learn more about the Jewish connections between food, health, and our spiritual lives. We have chosen Isidore Foods because:

• its produce comes from farms within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. All vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat and breads come from farms and artisans within 175 miles of Pittsburgh, Columbus and Cleveland.
• its dry goods come from local, regional and national suppliers.  Most food is produced in Amish communities - one in Holmes County, Ohio and one in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Learn about the food you and your family can enjoy:

http://www.isidorefoods.com/

Interested? Let us know! There is no obligation.

Contact Ann Oberle: oberle@rodefshalom.org