Community Supported Agriculture
Our CSA has been suspended for now as we take care of Barb's 90-year-old dad who lives with us. Please look for us with produce at the Lafayette and Sagamore West Farmer's markets. Thank you for your support!
CSA reflects an innovative and resourceful strategy to connect local farmers with local consumers; develops a regional food supply and strong local economy; maintains a sense of community; encourages land stewardship; and honors the knowledge and experience of growers and producers working with small to medium farms. CSA is a unique model of local agriculture whose roots reach back 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms. This arrangement, called "teikei" in Japanese, translates to "putting the farmers' face on food." This concept traveled to Europe and was adapted to the U.S. and given the name "Community Supported Agriculture" at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, in 1985.
CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay for seeds, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it. This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops. If you'd like to participate in our CSA, please email us at csa@longhousefarm.com.
Click here for our CSA Frequently Asked Questions.
MEMBER BENEFITS:
- Produce is harvested in peak condition and distributed within hours of harvest to guarantee members the freshest vegetables and herbs full of flavor and nutrition. Did you know vegetables travel over 1,000 miles on the average to their eventual point of sale?
- Reasonable prices.
- A close connection to your food source.
- A website where we will share recipes and ideas to inspire delicious and nutritious meals.
FARM BENEFITS:
- Early season start-up funds.
- A personal and direct connection to those who eat and appreciate our produce.
RISKS:
- Potential weather-related delays.
- Not every crop does equally well every year.
ABOUT LONGHOUSE FARM :
- All of our vegetables and herbs are grown from certified organic seed or plants. We always have and always will grow naturally, without any chemicals or pesticides. No federal certification labeling program will change the way we farm.
- We always wash our vegetables before distributing them to our customers or selling wholesale. We do what we call a "field wash". It may suffice, but you may still find some residual soil or mulch on your veggies. Please thoroughly wash your vegetables when getting them home.
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