Community Supported Agriculture

Eat locally, eat in season, share the bounty!

PHOTOS BY SDB IMAGES

ACROSS CANADA there are rising numbers of small farms that sell annual memberships to local residents to help cover the costs of operation and, in return, allow us to share the bounty of the season. We also share the risks—weather and other factors including pestilence — beyond the control of the farmer. The cost of a share and the crops grown vary from farm to farm, as do the pick-up arrangements for our weekly box of produce. This programme is known as Community Supported Agriculture, and is becoming increasingly popular.

Here in Caledon we have a perfect model of CSA in the form of the Whole Village Sustainable Farm on Shaw’s Creek Road. Whole Village is a biodynamic farm on 191 acres, growing fruits and vegetables without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Their CSA program has a growing season of 21 weeks, running from mid-June until the end of October. Typically, a weekly box of produce can include a mix of greens, herbs, and variety of root vegetables. There are also the occasional fruits and cut flowers. A member may buy a small share costing $400, enough to feed a couple, or a large share for $750 that will feed a family of four.

Whole Village CSA is run by Graham Corbett and Amy Ouchterlony. They believe, as do many others, that the present food system in Canada is a cause for concern. Most of the enticing rows of fruits and vegetables in grocery stores are produced by huge profit-centric agricultural conglomerates thousands of miles away. We don’t know who those farmers are, or how they grow their crops. Most are genetically modified, pumped full of chemicals, and even preserved with toxic gases to keep them “fresh” for the long journeys to our stores. CSA seeks to address all of these concerns. Members help farmers maintain their livelihoods, while supporting local, organic food and sustainable farming. A box of CSA produce doesn’t get any fresher! Everything is harvested the morning of pick-up, and there are no plastic bags or packaging to go into landfill.

At the beginning of the season, two of our Caledon Living team signed up with the Whole Village Farm CSA programme for a large share which they are splitting each week. Lena Diaz and Simon Burn both like to eat lots of vegetables and make their meals from scratch, avoiding packaged and processed foods. They are excited about the idea of buying fresh local organic produce, and have agreed to share their experience over the next few months with a regular blog on our web site. Lena was enthusiastic from the moment she went to an orientation evening back in May. “I found the people running this CSA completely dedicated to the cause; they genuinely want to make a difference and provide healthy food.”

Graham and Amy encourage members to visit the farm whenever they like, and walk around to see what is happening. They also organize Whole Village Work Bee days throughout the growing season, so members can come by, connect with the farmers, see how things are grown, and help out. At any good CSA site, you are part of the farm community, not just a customer. You will be encouraged to visit and see how things are run. Ontario CSA Directory (http://csafarms.ca) warns that any farmer who refuses any farm visits at all should be avoided.

Lena, a firm believer in traditional and natural farming methods, is eagerly awaiting her first weekly delivery. “Don’t get me wrong; I do love tropical fruits and vegetables, but feel that we can take full advantage of the robust variety of produce that grows in Caledon for at least half of the year. This not only creates delicious and healthy foods for our families and ourselves, but it allows us to practice more sustainable farming operations and reduces our carbon footprint.”

Local food makes sense…

• Exceptional taste and freshness…
• Local food is fresher and tastes better than food picked before ripening and shipped thousands of miles, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transportation vehicles, and creating less waste in packaging materials.
• Strengthens our local economy…
• Buying local food keeps our dollars circulating within the community.
• Health benefits for the entire family…
• Personal contact with farmers provides members with the opportunity to ask questions about the practices the farmer uses.
• Protects the environment…
• Organic methods benefit the soil, air, water, wildlife and people in the farm ecosystem.

Food facts

• Less than 10% of imported foods are inspected in Canada
• Imported foods are not mandated to meet Health Canada Guidelines for food production.
• No processed food is inspected unless a complaint has been received.
• The country of origin is not mandated on food labels.
• “Product of Canada” doesn’t necessarily mean “Grown in Canada.”

To find out how Lena and Simon fare over the coming months, follow them on their weekly blog: