What is the Verde Valley CSA? It’s a group of Verde Valley farmers who provide freshly picked, locally grown produce for their community and customers.
Sandy Boyce was the Director at the Farmer to Chef conference last Monday..like I said, glad that I went, met some really cool people. Sandy got into this project to bring the farmers to the consumers.
It’s like a return to the old west. Or more like what it was when I was growing up..my Uncle’s family had a farm and he delivered milk to the neighbors and people who ordered milk.
Back to Sandy.. Their group provides their share-holder a weekly basket of fresh vegetable at a market vale of $22. every week for 22 weeks.
Their shareholders come by to Windmill park in Cornville, AZ to pick up their basket. What ever isn’t in your weekly basket you can buy from the local producers whatever else you would like.
Beef, Goat’s milk, eggs, squash, pumpkins, apples, tomatoes or whatever is in season.
It reminds me, when I was living in Vancouver, a company provided farm fresh organic produce to families or singles who chose to order a plan. Small, Medium & Large. I thought it was a good deal, what you got it would help you eat better and more nutritionally.
If you are in the local area of Cornville, do check out their program. You can find out more about the Local Harvest . Also Sandy runs an online directory that you can find other farmers and producers to get the rest of your produce from. She calls it a Craigs’ List for produce. If you have a value-added product you can still list it on her site for FREE. (She does have sponsorships available as well). It’s called Sandy’s Produce. ( don’t think she’s operating this anymore)
Thank’s for coming by to check out Sedona Pies.. I had fun being their every week!
Thinking about signing up for the ” What is the Verde Valley CSA?” CSA but want to learn more about the idea before you commit?
For over 25 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. In brief:
Advantages for farmers:
- Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
- Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow
- Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow
Advantages for consumers:
- Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
- Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
- Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
- Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
- Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown
Read more about this organization and how you can get involved. What is the Verde Valley CSA?
Farmers markets contribute to the health of residents by improving the availability of fresh, nutritious, and affordable food within the community. Markets also build local economies by providing farmers and other producers with opportunities to sell their goods directly to consumers. Increasingly, farmers markets operate in lower-income, low-food access communities to support those communities in need of fresh, local, affordable fruits and vegetables. Here is a whole page of resources you can use as a farmer.