12/12/07-CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) has impacted 85 families by providing them with healthy food and numerous others by getting them involved in a great community enhancing program.
the Bed-Stuy Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project
Submitted by lmelodia on Thu, 07/05/2007 - 00:14
the problem:
I started the Bed-Stuy CSA, because families in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn are unable to purchase fresh vegetables in the neighborhood. This lack of access to fresh, healthy food contributes to the neighborhood’s significant health epidemics: according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Health of Central Brooklyn report, residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant suffer a rate of heart disease 30% higher than the NYC average and are two times more likely to have diabetes than the average New Yorker. In fact, 1 in 3 Bed-Stuy residents is obese. Diet and exercise are the gravest factors in determining ones likelihood of acquiring heart disease and diabetes. It seemed imperative that someone create a way for people to be able to purchase healthy food in a convenient and affordable way. Establishing a system where people could buy produce delivered to Bed-Stuy directly from a Certified Naturally Grown farmer would guarantee all of these things.
vital stats:
people impacted:
85people involved:
0why it's important:
In essence, a CSA is a food buying club. Interested residents buy a “share” in the farm—the Bed-Stuy CSA’s partners with Conuco Farm, run by Hector Tejada—in the early spring and pay upfront, though members can also pay in installments with food stamps, that allow the farmer to get the season started without taking out high interest loans. As soon as produce is available (usually in mid-June), CSA members receive a weekly share of the farm, a box of produce picked from the farm the day before. The share usually consists of 6-10 different, pesticide- and chemical-free vegetables, which feeds a family of 4 or more throughout the week. Members receive a weekly share for 20 consecutive weeks or more. Members pick up their weekly shares at a farm stand across from the neighborhood park. They also receive cooking classes on the street and a weekly newsletter, so that they can learn how to cook familiar and unusual vegetables in healthy ways.
the plan of action:
I started the CSA in 2006 and, during that first year, I ran the entire project myself with only donated space, tables, and copies. In that first year, 30 families joined. This year, I recruited 4 of last years members to become “core members” to share the work of running the project. This year, 65 families have joined, and we hope it will grow each year. We raised a $1400.00 this year to pay a nutritionist to teach classes at several schools and public housing developments and for certain supplies (stamps, paint, etc.) With only volunteers, in-kind donations and small monetary donations, however, the Bed-Stuy CSA has provided produce and nutrition education for over 85 households and generated over $30,000 in income for a local farmer of color. I hope that an award of $500.00 would allow us to organize a farm trip for residents of Bed-Stuy and publish a “Guide to Healthy Eating in Bed-Stuy” to make available at the local health clinics, hospitals and food pantries so that we can increase our education and outreach to even more people. The Bed-Stuy CSA is now the only reliable source of fresh, pesticide-free produce in the neighborhood.
how you can get involved:
n/aproject updates:
07/01/2009
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