Back in Business
Despite the frosty week, we’re well into spring. 10 days into May already. This means two things: Outdoor farmer’s markets are opening soon (I have 3 within walking distance of work and home) and it’s almost CSA season. CSA = Community Supported Agriculture, aka harvest share, and each year Toronto’s options are growing.
Want help finding one near you? Here’s a guide to some CSAs in and just beyond Toronto.
I’ve already blogged about The Cutting Veg’s new CSA, Park Road Organic Harvest, near Yonge and Bloor, with pick up on Wednesday from The Park Road Healing Arts clinic. For those farther north The Cutting Veg has two more: The Tikkun Adamah CSA (“Repairing of the Earth”) is located in the Bathurst and Rutherford Road area, in partnership with the Kavanah Garden, with pick-up taking place on Thursday afternoons. The Pri Adamah CSA (“Fruits of the Earth”) is located in the Wilson and Avenue Road area, in partnership with Temple Sinai, with pick-up taking place on Tuesday afternoons. All of The Cutting Veg CSA’s run weekly from the beginning of June to the end of October. Visit The Cutting Veg’s website and Kavanah Organic Community Teaching Garden’s website more information.
Culinarium at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton is hosting 3 Share Programs this year.
Summer Produce CSA
From June to October enjoy 19 weeks of farm fresh local organic produce from the Triple Cord Mennonite community in Aylmer Ontario. More information.
Ontario Artisan Share Program™: Summer program.
Every other Thursday for 18 weeks from June to October pick up your basket of Ontario Artisan food stuffs. A great way to sample the variety of wonderful foods produced here in our fine province. Shares include fresh fruit and veggies, artisan cheese, meats, legumes and various pantry staples such as flour, jam, syrup etc. Each week the basket will feature something different based on availability, harvest or seasonality. More information.
Meat Share Program
For the conscious carnivore, Culinarium offers Pork, Lamb and Beef shares plus a Mixed Meat Share for those with small freezers.
Culinarium™ has revived the ancient ritual of feeding our families with meat from a single animal, bred by passionate stewards of the land – local Ontario Farmers. Through Culinarium™ you can now buy a “share” of an LFP certified, pasture raised animal from a farmer you know and trust.
Perhaps you’d like to join a CSA but The Annex/Harbord Village is a more convenient as a pick up location? Everdale Organic Farm and the First Narayever Congregation have been partnering for four years to bring farm-fresh produce to the community. This is the one that I’m directly involved with, as CSA member and committee member.
How does the Everdale/First Narayever program work?
Everdale Farm, an organic farm and environmental learning centre, and the First Narayever Congregation have partnered to bring this Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program to the Annex.
A CSA strengthens the relationship between the people growing food, and those eating it. Members pay in advance for the season based on the size of their weekly share (small, medium, or large). Then, Every Tuesday from June 15 to October 26, members choose the produce that they want from a market set up at the Narayever, located at 187 Brunswick Avenue, just north of Harbord Street.
What happens if I can’t make it one week, or if I’m only around for part of the summer?
You pay for your share based on the number of weeks that you want to receive it. The on-line registration form allows you to exclude the weeks you will be away. You can even choose just a fall share (September and October).
If your plans change and there’s a week you can’t make it, you can cancel your order and receive a refund by sending an email to the farm as long as you provide two-weeks notice. At any time, you can also choose to donate your weekly share to those in need. Finally, we are flexible about who picks up your produce. For times you can’t get there, we encourage you to send someone in your place. We’ll show them how it all works when they come.
What if there are things I don’t like at the market?
Our CSA is unique in that you are able to choose what you want each week based on what’s in season. We are not a box program. Instead of prescribing what you must take, shares are based on a point system: you get a certain number of points every week and you can use them towards whatever produce you want.
Why should I join a CSA when I can go to a Farmer’s Market?
The CSA is about more than buying organic, local groceries that taste great. A CSA is also about creating community. Each week you have a chance to talk to the farmers and to meet other members of the CSA. Our CSA organizes workshops to learn how to preserve the harvest – so you can eat locally throughout the year. We also plan trips to Everdale farm to see firsthand where our food grows.
Our CSA has a social conscience. Each year, we partner with an organization to which we donate any uncollected or donated shares. Last year alone, we provided about 80 boxes of fresh, organic food to families in need. This year, shares donated or not picked will be given to The STOP Community Food Centre for use in their community kitchen.
Finally, joining the CSA is a cost effective way to get local, organic, high quality produce. A harvest share costs far less than the same produce purchased at a local farmers’ market.
[Andrea adds: Why not join a CSA and shop a farmer's market?]
Is this a Jewish CSA?
While based at the First Narayever Congregation, the CSA is open to all members of the community. The CSA is grounded in Jewish values of environmentalism and social justice, but is welcoming to anyone. We do offer Jewish-themed activities, especially around the Jewish holidays, and our weekly newsletter includes commentaries on issues from a Jewish perspective, but we would welcome ideas and contributions from other perspectives as well.
For more information, please email TorontoCSA@gmail.com or Harvestshare@everdale.org
View map of 187 Brunswick.
If you’re wondering when your local farmer’s market opens up, The Cookbook Store posted some dates to their blog two days ago. Also check out Farmer’s Markets Ontario and the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network.
Now, whichever location or format is most convenient for you, go forth and join a CSA!
Eat well, be well.
Related post:
Slow Food Toronto – Community Shared Agriculture (CSA)
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