Community Supported Agriculture Program Brings Food from Local Farms to Your TableMyPersonalFarmers.com announces a new way for people to access local vegetables and fruits. The Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) gives people or businesses in Westchester/Putnam counties, and other selected areas, the opportunity to receive regular deliveries of produce from local farms throughout the season of 2009, and save money at the same time. THE DEADLINE FOR JOINING MPF’S CSA HAS PASSED - No more memberships accepted for 2009 Here's How It Works: People or businesses make a seasonal committment for the 2009 harvest (starting with 1st delivery on June 18-19, for 10 deliveries through the end of October). In a traditional CSA, shareholders pay in advance for a portion of the farm's seasonal production. The share price covers the farmer's costs for seed, equipment, planting, harvesting and wages...and in return shareholders get a portion of the farm's produce delivered to them. MPF has evolved the meaning of CSA by customizing the plans based on consumer survey preference. Delivery Logistics 70% of people who responded to our CSA survey preferred receiving shares every other week. Once your exact delivery date (Thursday or Friday each time) is determined, it will not change (except in an emergency). Deliveries will be on these 10 weekends: June 18-19 In order to provide you a good value for your dollar each week, we ask your help regarding delivery procedures. Once our group members are identified, we will sub-divide names based on where you live, and deliver 2-3 orders per location. You can volunteer to receive 2-3 orders at your address, or “delivery groups” can make your own decision regarding which address to deliver to. Note that we can not deliver beyond our current delivery areas which include all of Westchester and Putnam Counties plus selected areas of Orange and Rockland, plus Greenwich and Stamford, CT. If in doubt about your area, please call or email us for clarification. To accommodate vacation schedules, we will be happy to make adjustments in the home delivery location with sufficient advance notice. We strongly encourage each member to have a large cooler available at your delivery location, to maintain proper temperatures of your food. What You Will Receive in Each Delivery: 8-12+ lbs of produce (mostly vegetables), and at least 7 items each week. Types of produced are based on your priorities as described in our CSA survey and will vary by season: Salad Greens/Lettuces (Green/Red Leaf, Romaine, Arugula, Spinach) Most of the vegetables and fruit will come from Hepworth Farms, which grows mostly organic and certified organic vegetables and practices IPM (Integrated Pest Management)for their fruit. Many of the root crops (onions and potatoes) will come from Sheldon Farms which practices IPM (Integrated Pest Management).
Pricing We have three basic plans to choose from. Prices include delivery to Westchester and Putnam Counties. Add $10 per delivery to anywhere outside these county lines. There will be additional items that can be purchased online and added to your order for each delivery. Payment is accepted by credit card only! Plan #1 includes all produce with no extras. The cost is $450 for the entire season ($45 per local delivery). For residents outside of Westchester & Putnam, the cost is $550 ($55 per delivery) for the season. Plan #2 includes all produce plus 1 dozen eggs. The cost is $490 for the entire season ($49 per local delivery). For residents outside of Westchester & Putnam, the cost is $590 ($59 per delivery) for the season. Plan #3 includes all produce plus 1 whole fresh chicken (approx 4 lbs). The cost is $650 for the entire season ($65 per local delivery). For residents outside of Westchester & Putnam, the cost is $750 ($75 per delivery) for the season. Above prices are for when the season is paid for entirely in advance using our webstore. Payment Plan We also have an EZ payments plan that requires you sign up by phone and will have an added $5 service charge to each credit card payment. The first of 3 payments is due upon signup by June 12, 2009.
If you elect to pay in full on or before the second payment due date, one $5.00 service charge will be deducted. Add-ons for CSA deliveries A special "Add To CSA" menu has be created for CSA members to be able to add some the items below to their next CSA delivery. Credit card payment must be made online by 12:00 noon on Sunday before your CSA delivery date. If a CSA member orders from any other page on our website it will be considered a separate delivery and our regular delivery charge will apply. Also, delivery will be made on the next available delivery date which may be different from your CSA delivery date. Here is the link to the CSA Add To Order Items page Becoming a member of a CSA is a great way to help preserve agriculture in the Hudson Valley while guaranteeing you'll get the freshest possible produce direct from the farm. Plus, shareholders will save up to 40% over the cost of buying small quantities without a seasonal committment.
|
