Sustainable Hastings: Community Supported Agriculture shares available
Dear residents,

As we roll out a number of initiatives in our Village (improving recycling, green building codes, and much more), there's something simple that you can do that makes a difference and tastes good too: joining in on getting organic produce delivered straight from the farm to Hastings.

Hastings has its own Community Supported Agriculture ("CSA" as these things are called) effort, Last year 40 members benefited from this excellent system of getting fresh, organic produce into their fridges.  Membership in a CSA is a way of directly supporting regional family farms.

Sustainable Hastings CSA shares are from Stoneledge Farm, in Leeds, NY (about 100 miles north of here). In exchange for our upfront contribution to the farm, members of our CSA program receive a weekly shipment of amazingly delicious, varied, organic, ultra-fresh  
produce. (Stoneledge Farm is certified organic by the North East Organic Farming Association of NY.)

You pay $485 for the season by check or credit/debit card directly to the farm. This breaks down to $20.21 per week.

For 24 weeks, beginning June 9th and ending November 17th, Stoneledge delivers to Grace Espiscopal church (78 Main Street, Hastings) every Wednesday. Members come between 11a.m.-1p.m. or 4-7p.m. that same day to pick up shares. Each member assembles his or her own share: you choose the head of lettuce, the 2 pounds of potatoes, the bunch of  
carrots, etc. Shares are not pre-bagged. Members are asked to contribute 5 hours of help during the 5 month season (wo/manning the "vegetable stand"). (Those of you who ever belonged to a food coop might remember this model...)

Each weekly delivery consists of 6 to 10 items (see examples below) - approximately 8 to 12 pounds of organic produce per week. You can also split a share with a friend or neighbor, each taking half a share (for more info on this, email us).

Stoneledge Farm donates one share for every 10 members of the CSA. Last year we donated over 1,000 pounds of food to the Grace Food Partnership - supplying fresh food to residents in Hastings and Yonkers who typically only receive canned & boxed donations. Members who are unable to pick up a share or two during the season can choose to contribute to this donation (or choose any other beneficiary - friend or neighbor, etc. - to come pick up their share).

Stoneledge Farm CSA members have the opportunity to visit the farm and help in the harvest twice during the season - a great way to connect with where our food comes from.

If you have any questions please email: info@sustainablehastings.org  
or call elisa zazzera @ 212-247-5988 (home/office number; rings in  
hastings.)

For more information about Stoneledge Farm, visit http://www.stoneledgefarmny.com/.
If you would like to join for 2010 you may do so online at: https://www.stoneledgefarmny.com/register/28/

Thanks for your consideration.
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Stoneledge Farm sample weekly delivery

Spring Vegetable
Garlic Scapes - 6
Bok Choi - 1 head
Perpetual Spinach - 1 bunch
Chives - 1 bunch
Red Sails, Red Leaf Lettuce - 1 head
Escarole - 1 head
Greek Oregano - 1 bunch
Sugar Snap Peas - 1 pound

Early Summer Vegetable
Zucchini Summer Squash - 2 pounds
Cucumbers - 1 Raider Slicing and 2 Boothby Blonde Heirloom
Bright Lights Swiss Chard - 1 bunch
Raddichio - 1
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage - 1 head
Orient Express Eggplant - 2
Cilantro - 1 bunch
Lilac Islander Peppers - 1
Buttercrunch Lettuce - 1 head
Scallions - 1 bunch

Summer Vegetable
Red Ace Beets - 1.5 pounds
Bolero Carrots - 1 pound
Leeks - 1 bunch
Thyme - 1 bunch
Hungry Round Heirloom Peppers - 3
Lacinato Kale - 1 bunch
Broccoli - 2 heads

Autumn Vegetable
Keuka Gold Potatoes - 2 pounds
Bolero Carrots - 1 pound
Red Ace Beets - 1.5 pounds
Brussels Sprouts - 3 stalks
Winterbor Kale - 1 bunch
Celeriac - 2 roots
Garlic - 2 bulbs
Romanesco Cauliflower - 1 head
Italian Flat Leaf Parsley - 1 bunch