It’s official! Local Farmer CSA, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Human Resources, now offers CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) Crop Boxes on Danforth campus!
Farmer Dave Smith will set up his farm van and a mini market every other Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Music Library parking lot, just North of the Alumni House. From December 6th, he will be there bi-weekly with his produce and local goods, and he couldn’t be more excited to chat with new CSA subscribers.
“I look forward to meeting with WashU students, faculty and staff. Face to face is the most important part of my business and it’s the best way for me to take the knowledge from the farm straight to the customer.”
Some benefits of WashU’s CSA program are highlighted below, but if you want to learn more, check out this article about the program’s benefits for consumers, the local economy, and the environment.
A program adapted to student needs
Local Farmer CSA agreed to provide a discounted $20 box option exclusively for students in the WashU CSA program. By expanding the program to the Danforth campus, healthy and fresh food is made more accessible to students.
“I share the box with a friend. It’s an easy, affordable way to get fresh vegetables and eggs all year round, and I love the element of surprise,” said Julia Widmann, a senior in Environmental Policy and longtime CSA subscriber.
Flexibility on all fronts
The sign-up for the CSA simply requires a one-time $15 registration fee, after which you are a CSA member and can manage your order and pay for your box on a weekly basis. Local Farmer CSA is extremely flexible about putting your box on hold. Whether you are going out of town for a weekend, a school break, studying abroad for a semester or just have a lot of leftovers from Thanksgiving, you’re always welcome to put a hold your order and return to your membership later.
In addition, subscribers to Local Farmer CSA can switch out products they are not inclined to use, a benefit not offered by most online or single-source CSAs. For example, if you are vegan, you can trade the eggs for any fresh fruits or vegetable available that day. You’re also free to swap one vegetable for another if you don’t know how to cook it, though farmer Dave will have plenty of tips and advice on how to turn any of his products into a delicious meal. With all the variety, you’re likely to learn something new or gain a new favorite veggie!
Eating local and fresh, even in winter!
Local Farmer CSA offers fresh and local produce all year-round. This unique benefit comes from Local Farmer CSA’s partnership with hydroponic farms, which grow produce in soil-free greenhouses by using mineral solvents in water. Hydroponics farms have several environmental benefits since they can require less land, water, fertilizer, and pesticides than traditional growing methods.
Fresh, local produce have great health benefits, and crop boxes make it easy to eat enough fruits and veggies all year, all while supporting local businesses and reducing your food’s carbon footprint.
Find more info about the WashU CSA program on the Wellness Connection website. To sign up as a CSA member, visit Local Farmer CSA.