Locally Carei: Plenty of places
With the spring planting season upon us, it is time to make a decision. To grow or not to grow? That is the question.
Clearly, if it’s part of your DNA, it is a no brainer; if not, there are other options for you.
An option is signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), especially if you work out of town. There are several in West Virginia, Westmoreland County and on the way to Pittsburgh. CSA is a subscription service where you purchase weekly or bi-weekly shares of food from a certain farm or in some cases, co-ops. You would pick up your ‘box’ at the farm or at a designated pickup place. Some more ambitious CSAs have several pickup locations.
There are pros and cons with CSAs. Obviously, you are supporting a local farmer, but sometimes you are limited by their supply. You have introduced healthy produce into your life, but you cannot plan meals until you get your produce. It is less expensive overall, but because you pay up front, it may seem more expensive. For example, you usually buy a subscription for 20-24 weeks so that can mean $300 to $500 dollars up front. But if you break it down, it is usually less than $20 a week.
Sky Harman operates a CSA out of Harmony Farm in Cheat Lake. He has seen an upswing in his CSA orders and knows that it is a savings for people if they can look past the initial investment. “We have seen a growing interest in our CSA. People see it as a great way to get local produce, support local growing and get a variety.” He has pickups in Cheat Lake and at WVU Health Services and also at the Morgantown Farmers Market. You can get more information and sign up at www.harmonywv.com.
If you work in Pittsburgh, the best CSA to join would be the Penns Corner Farmers Alliance. They are a co-op that has many pickup locations all over Pittsburgh and in the outskirts. You would be hard pressed to not be able to make a connection during your busy work week. You can get a produce subscription at www.Pennscorner.com.
Many other options to CSAs are available locally. Bob Junk, the director of the Republic Food Enterprise, will not rule out a CSA for the future; but for now his focus is on the farmers markets.
“We tried it last year, and it just didn’t take off; this year we are going to concentrate on getting to farmers markets around the county. Maybe if we feel the interest pick up, we’ll try to re-introduce a subscription service next year.” The Farmers Market will once again circumvent the county on a weekly basis this summer. There are proposed stops in Uniontown, Brownsville, Connellsville, and Ohiopyle. The calendar for the markets will be released next week. When you visit the market and you like what you see, ask the farmer if they will do a subscription this or next year.
Duda’s farms will be releasing their army of red and white striped tents in early June. “We have considered a subscription service, but the variety at our farm stands seems to keep our local friends happy,” says farmer Andrew Duda.
He says the variety will remain the same, but looks to add some heirloom tomatoes, gold potatoes and maybe more fresh herbs to the stands.
For stand locations and a list of produce that they are growing this year; visit www.dudas.com.
If you fail to plant your garden this year, but miss the harvesting of vegetables, visit Randy Morris at Morris Organic Farm in Irwin, PA. You can pick your own produce by the peck or by the bushel.
You can pick your favorite available produce by yourself or with your family. “It is a self-serve CSA,” says Randy. “Have fun, while getting the benefits of fresh, nutrient-rich, local produce.” Visit www.Morrisorganic.com for more information.
Footprint Farms in Gibbon Glade has just opened its online store.
Although now they are only selling meats and eggs, produce will be added as the growing season evolves.
To get a firsthand look at what they have available and how they farm, visit their open house (farm) 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 23.
To view the store, go to www.footprintfarms4u.com, to get updates produce availability you can also like their facebook page; footprintfarmsfayettecounty. To see other farms in the area and what they are offering, be it a CSA,produce, eggs or meat; visit www.localharvest.org.
Whether you plant a garden or not, plan on supplementing your table with a selection of locally-sourced produce. It not only makes sense, but with smart shopping you will save cents. And just to hammer home on why to buy from your local farmer go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UBj4Rbq3ZI or look up Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer.”