Farm Goods All Winter

Winter CSAs promote small businesses and healthful eating

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

If you enjoy frequenting farm stands, consider purchasing a community supported agriculture (CSA) share for the winter season.

Typically, CSAs provide local buyers with a pre determined amount of farm goods for a set price. Farmers receive cash flow and an established market for their goods. Customers receive regular portions of the freshest food around while supporting a local business.

The reasons for buying CSA shares are obvious to Dick de Graff, owner of Grindstone Farm in Pulaski.

“It helps consumers eat more vegetables,” de Graff said. “They get them landed in their laps. It’s usually discounted pricewise because we can count on that market as we grow things. We can pass savings on. There’s more hands on labor with direct retail sale. We don’t usually ask for a lot of money upfront but a verbal commitment that they’re interested in that food for that period of time.”

The winter CSA share includes root crops like turnips and beets; greens such as collards, kale, bok choy and salad mix; and value-added items and a few things from other farms. These may include jelly, honey, maple syrup.

Shares are available for pick-up at the farm market on Fridays monthly or every other week. Shares are $30 to $50 per pick up. Customers may choose their items from among what’s available and listed on the farm’s posted selections. The winter CSA runs from November or December through March.

Wendy Burkhart-Spiegel, co-owner of Common Thread Community Farm in Madison, operates a winter CSA. The shares are available mid-November through late January.

“We distribute very locally so they get to know the farmers and the farm,” she said.

The share boxes even include a weekly newsletter to keep customers apprised of what’s going on at the farm. The winter shares include root crops, leeks, onions, garlic, salad greens, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts and cabbages. Along with herbs and greens. Common Thread also includes items from nearby farms, such as mushrooms.

It’s a lot of work operating a CSA during a time of year when most produce farms take a break.

“We build community around food and farming,” Burkhart-Spiegel said. “They know where the food comes from. A lot of places that are putting together assembled boxes; it’s hard to know where the food is coming from. Our customers know how the food is grown and stored.”

She also gives customers recipes and ideas on how to use the food they receive.

Although buying seasonal produce directly from farms seems like a summertime ideal, Burkhart-Spiegel believes that during winter, the practice helps people access the hearty and nourishing foods that they need that time of year.

“Eating in season is great for your body and delicious and nutritious and feels really good,” she added.

Most CSAs warn that customers will need to remain flexible if the harvest isn’t what the farm expects. For instance, that Swiss chard may be replaced with endive if the Swiss chard didn’t do well this year.

Some CSAs may supply goods from other farms along with their own. Some include meat, dairy, eggs, cheese, baked goods, jams and jellies and other value-added goods.

Winter CSAs tend to focus on “root crops” like potatoes, turnips, carrots and sweet potatoes. They may also offer storage crops like squash, pumpkins, onions and apples. Some use greenhouses to extend the growing season for a few weeks, offering greens into the fall.

 

Community Supported Agriculture

In addition to Grindstone Farm in Pulaski and Common Thread Community Farm in Madison, you can get fresh produce during the wintertime in the following farms:

•Abbott Farms, Baldwinsville

•Brady Farm, Syracuse

•Brownson Family Farm, Kirkville

•Eden Fresh Network, Syracuse

•Freedom Rains Farm, Pulaski

•Greyrock Farm, Cazenovia

•Hartwood Farm, Chittenango

•Jones Family Farm, Herkimer

•Main Street Farms, Cortland

•Mountain Grown Farm, Jamesville

•Off the Muck Farm Market, Canastota

•Old Fly Farm, Fabius

•Spencer’s Folly, Elbridge

•Stones Throw Farm, Nedrow

•Will-Sho Farms, King Ferry.

Note that some of these may not operate winter CSAs. Check here to see what’s available this coming season: www.localharvest.org.