July Work/Life Line: What's a CSA?

07/10/12

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a relationship directly between consumers and farmers based on an alternative socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. Before the growing season starts, consumers purchase a “share” of the farm, which helps pay for a portion of the farm’s expenses. In return for purchasing a “share” of the farm, consumers receive a “share” of the harvest.

Some advantages for farmers and consumers are:

Farmers:

• Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before the 16 hour days in the field begin
• Receive payment early in the season to invest in farming operations 
• Have 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
• Connect to the people and land growing your food

Want to know how CSAs work or how to participate and get a CSA? Visit http://www.healthyfoodforall.org/whatiscsa.htm for more information!

Don’t forget to come and learn about CSAs on Thursday, July 12, 2012 from 1:00pm-2:00pm in the Peggy R. Williams Center, HR Conference Room GL-52.  Elizabeth Karabinakis, Community Food Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, will present information about local foods, particularly community-driven initiatives. RSVPs are appreciated to 4-8000 or e-mail benefits@ithaca.edu.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Alison Bowman in Human Resources at abowman@ithaca.edu or x4-8000. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

Work/Life: We believe in the integration of work and life outside of work.

Mind, Body, Me Members: This Lunch and Learn is worth 10 points

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