The CSA Program
Grow Youngstown Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program puts farmers and members together and helps the CSA with administrative tools, such as contracts, web presence, outreach and distribution sites in Warren and Youngstown. For 2010 we are adding a Healthy Food Access program specifically targeted to food desert neighborhoods in the Valley. In addition to connecting members with CSA farmers we will be purchasing directly from those farms and selling to members enrolled in the Healthy Food Access (HFA) program. We accept the Ohio Direction Card. Please see the 2nd page of our brochure for HFA income guidelines, or contact csa@growyoungstown.org for more information.
THE ADVANTAGES OF CSA
- Greater nutritional value: Food traveling shorter distances, reaches customers with higher nutritional content.
- Supports the local economy: Money transferred stays within the local economy (doesn't go to Chicago (IGA) or Pittsburgh (Giant Eagle) creating direct and interdependent bonds between producers and consumers.
- Good price: Customers pay less than they would pay at the supermarket for the same organic produce and farmers get more than they would get at auction or through a distributor.
- Variety: Customers get a variety of vegetables not always available at the local supermarket.
- Sustainable: The food is grown sustainably and depending on the farm, certified organic. See "Farm Shares" on this page for Farm Practice details.
Veggie Shares
Meat Shares
Weekly News Bite
See Vincidicator articles Mar. 19, 2009 and Feb. 9, 2008 about Grow Youngstown's CSA program.