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EATING GREEN

Support Local Farmers

[From Art Fabel of Tikvat Israel Congregation]  Are you interested in getting fresh, organic vegetables every week this spring and summer? Then join the Tikvat Israel Congregation community-supported agriculture (CSA) program! Openings are available to purchase a share up until March 30. You do not have to be a member of Tikvat Israel or Jewish to join the CSA.

You will receive one share consists of 6-8 fruits and vegetables, enough for 2-4 adults (depending on how much your household likes vegetables), every week. Our farmer, Pam Stegall of Calvert Farm, partners with several other farmers through a farmers' cooperative to offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to our members. For a small additional cost, Pam can provide eggs.

Share dates are every Monday from May 11, 2008, to September 21 (20 weeks total). You can pick up your produce from the Tikvat Israel social hall between 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

By joining the Tikvat Israel CSA, you will receive:

  • A variety of fresh, organic or integrated-pest-management fruits and vegetables at competitive prices.
  • Weekly produce delivery to Tikvat Israel Congregation, 2200 Baltimore Road, Rockville (next door to Rockville High School).
  • Delicious organic produce at a lower price than at a supermarket or health food store.
  • An opportunity to support local farms, a healthy environment, and a strong community.
  • A weekly newsletter, Tuv Ha'Shavua, with recipes from other Tuv Ha'aretz members and the farm, , cooking tips, and more!
  • Cooking lessons, potluck dinners, and educational activities - these provide a great way to get to know other CSA members!
  • A listserv to share recipes, information about produce, and announcements of interest to CSA members.

The full price is $565 for produce for 20 weeks (May 11 through Sept 21; price comes to $28/wk). For an additional $60, you will receive one dozen eggs each week. You are welcome to split shares and we will provide contact information for people expressing interest in splitting. You will need to make your own arrangements on splitting the share and covering the payment. To register, please download this form (PDF), and send it to the address on the form. If you have questions, contact Vivian Liebenson, CSA Registration Coordinator, at vliebenson@yahoo.com or call Tikvat Israel, (301)762-7338, or myself, Art Fabel (301)460-5716.

Q. What am I getting for my money?

A. Each week for 20 weeks you will get a 3/4 bushel box (15 3/8" x 11 3/8" x 9 1/4") and the goal is to fill it with 6-8 different kinds of vegetables and fruits. The box may be 1/2 to 3/4 full at times depending on what is picked , the weather and how much of any type of vegetable the farmer thinks a family of 4 can manage. Here's a typical variety based on what was delivered last year:

  • May 12: Rhubarb, Head Lettuce, Salad Mix, Spring Garlic, Mint, Radishes, and Asparagus.
  • May 19: Head Lettuce, Spinach, Herb (Oregano, Thyme, or Mint) Spring Onions, Radishes, Rhubarb, Collards, Swiss Chard, and Bok Choy.
  • June 2: Asparagus, Head Lettuce, Rhubarb, Herb, Onion, Radishes, and Strawberries.
  • June 16: Snow Peas, Hull Peas, Head Lettuce, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bag of salad greens Garlic Scapes, Collards, Herb.
  • June 23: Sweet Cherries, Salad Mix, Beets w/ Tops, Herb, Garlic Scapes, Potatoes, Peas, Kale, Head Lettuce.
  • July 7: Salad Mix, Lettuce, Fresh Slicing Onions, Zucchini, Cucumber, Swiss Chard, Beets with Tops, Potatoes, and Tomatoes.
  • July 14: Apricots, Green Beans, Cucumber, Head Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Onions, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, and Zucchini.
  • July 21: Sweet Corn, Basil, Cucumbers, Zucchinis, Onion, Plums, Beans, and Tomatoes.
  • August 4: Corn, Peppers, Tomatoes, Onion, Herb, Swiss Chard, Cucumber, Beets, Plums
  • August 18: Sweet Corn, Beans, Potatoes, Cantaloupe, Onion, Peppers, Swiss Chard or Celery or Beets, Herb, and Tomatoes.
  • September 1: Sweet corn, Salad Mix, Tomatoes, Peaches, Beans, Peppers, and Carrots.
  • September 22: Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Beans, Swiss Chard, Collards, Tomatoes, Garlic, Herb, Peppers & Apples

Q. Some of the deadlines listed on the registration form have passed or are too close to make by mail. What payments do you need?

A. We needed to get a quick count to determine if we had enough subscribers so we put in the $50 registration by Jan 30 . We are way past the number needed at 65 subscribers and can drop that requirement . All the money needs to be in by March 30 but a payment from $200 to the full amount is requested to be sent in soon . We will continue to accept subscribers up to the March 30 date or until the farmer tells us that she is reaching her farms capacity.

Q. Where else can I find community supported agriculture groups if Rockville is not convenient for a pickup location?

A. See http://www.marylandagriculture.info/category_info.cfm?categoryid=46 and http://www.localharvest.org/store/local-csa.jsp

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