Big Pine/Islamorada Free Press Edition - Keysnews.com Wed, Jul 23, 2008
Subscription farming
By STEVE GIBBS
Free Press Staff
UPPER KEYS — Denise Downing, 56, likes to put a face on her vegetables.
The Tavernier resident became enamored with purchasing fresh produce
directly from the farm while traveling in
Two years ago, Downing met Margie Pikarsky, owner of Bee Haven Farms in
the Redlands of Homestead, and discovered she could continue the practice
here at home.
"I know Margie, and to be eating things that are grown close to where I
live puts a face on the farmer," Downing said. "To me, that is very
important. I want to support small producers and want healthy food for
myself. It's a little more expensive, but I believe it's better to spend
it on good organic food than at the doctor's office."
Besides, Downing really loves the shiitake mushrooms she gets through
Pikarsky's community supported agriculture program, "Redland Organics."
As socially- and health-conscious consumers look more and more to locally
grown organic produce, a trend captured in the nonfiction bestsellers "The
Omnivore's Dilemma" and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle," a gradual change is
taking place in the way many Americans are getting their food.
More people are planting family and neighborhood vegetable gardens, many
are engaged in bulk buying through organic food clubs and, increasingly,
people are participating in community supported agriculture, or CSA
programs.
Pikarsky has brought together several small farms under the Redland
Organics CSA umbrella to deliver their yield directly to customers who
purchase shares in advance, a practice also known as "subscription
farming." Throughout the growing season, shareholders receive a weekly
basket of produce straight from the farm.
A practice
borrowed from
foothold in this country in 1985 in
1,500 CSA farms
operate in the
Given
have been able to join the CSA movement. Through Redlands Organics, she
receives a delivery of produce every Saturday from late fall through the
spring.
Downing has purchased a share for the past two years, which has encouraged
her to cook more and experiment with new recipes.
"It's like Christmas when I receive my share," she told the Free Press.
"My favorites are the shiitake mushrooms, of course. The eggplants are
great and I love the green beans and salad greens. I found that being a
member of the CSA has encouraged me to eat a lot more vegetables."
Each annual growing season, Pikarsky's CSA program offers a maximum of 450
shares. Enrollment for new customers begins Friday, July 25. New customers
are selected from a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.
Renewing shareholders are processed first.
The first delivery of fresh produce for the 2008-09 season is scheduled
for Nov. 22.
Pikarsky says CSA produce appeals to customers for many reasons.
"It's fresh. Unlike a supermarket, consumers get their food just a couple
of days after it is harvested," she said. "None of our food is grown using
pesticides. I don't take anything grown with pesticides because I don't
want to contaminate my produce."
The arrangement with the customer helps the farmers as well.
"By receiving money from shareholders up front the farmers can buy seeds,
fertilizer and supplies, which eliminates the need to borrow money from a
bank and pay interest," she said. "The community is supporting the farmers
and the farmers are, in turn, supporting the community."
Last year, Redland Organics sold 447 shares.
Shareholders pay $630 for a full share and $375 for a half share, which
includes 19 to 20 weekly boxes of produce.
A typical box might include one quart of tomatoes, one head of lettuce,
two cucumbers, 1.5 pounds of green beans, a large bunch of herbs, two
Daikon radishes, a bunch of beets with tops and five ounces of mesclun (a
salad mix of assorted small, young salad leaves).
A newsletter with tips and recipes for preparing vegetables comes with
each weekly share.
"If you are not accustomed to using a lot of fresh produce, you will
change some things about how you prepare and cook food," Pikarsky said.
"To help you make the transition to cooking and eating this way, we
recommend getting a good vegetable cookbook."
A $160 deposit is required by Sept. 1, of which $50 is non-refundable
should a shareholder change his mind. The remainder of the share cost must
be paid by Oct. 15.
Redland Organics also offers a four-week trial subscription for full
shares only, beginning Jan. 1 and subject to availability.
Fresh honey and eggs are available throughout the season for an additional
charge.
"For Keys people we charge a [seasonal] $100 delivery fee. That averages
out to about $5 a delivery, depending upon whether we have 20 or 19
deliveries during the season," Pikarsky said.
Each Saturday, the Redland Organics truck delivers fresh produce to a
designated drop-off point. Keys distribution points are normally in Key
Usually a shareholder's home or business serves as a collection point
where other shareholders can pick up their weekly food basket.
Shareholders may also elect to forego the delivery charge and pick up
their share at the Bee Haven Farm, located near
For more information, visit www.redlandorganics.com or e-mail Pikarsky at
CSA@redlandorganics.com.
sgibbs@keysnews.com
Wed, Jul 23, 2008