2010 CSA Frequently Asked Questions

What you need to know about the

2010 Good Earth Food Alliance CSA

What is it?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is just what the phrase suggests:  it's an effort to bring community and agriculture together in a manner that is beneficial to both.  Community members who buy into a share of the bounty from the GEFA growers are committing to adopting a diet that is both diverse and seasonal for west central Illinois residents.  They are acknowledging that eating locally and learning about seasonal cooking is the model of sustainability.  In response, the GEFA growers commit to extensive planning and collaboration to produce the highest quality and greatest variety of foods for the members.  What's more, the methods used for producing those foods will be earth-friendly and human-friendly - utilizing organic standards for growing the foods and practicing suggested sanitation guidelines while handling the food.

More specifically, it's 22 weeks of a share of sustainably-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the farms of an alliance of west central Illinois growers.  Items such as farm fresh eggs, and soups will be available as add ons to a CSA membership.

When and where is it?

Tuesdays, May 18 - October 12, 2010, 4:30 - 6:00 pm will be the pick up dates and times.  Drop sites will be located in Peoria, Galesburg, Farmington, and Hanna City.

Good Earth Food Alliance CSA Member Frequently Asked Questions

How much produce will I find in my share?

A share box contains 7-10 different vegetables, fruit, and herbs.  In the spring and early summer, the shares are lighter in weight and contain items such as salad greens, overwintered leeks, asparagus, spinach, green onions, radishes, and Swiss chard.  Later in the season, during the peak of the summer harvest, you will find your share weighs considerably more.  A typical box in the summer may contain a cantaloupe, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet corn, green beans, potatoes, basil, summer squash and carrots.   We grow approximately 50 different crops.

Can I share a weekly box with another household?

Absolutely, if 7- 10 different products seem more than you may use on a weekly basis, we encourage you to share the box with another household.  Be sure to add their name to your agreement form.   Another option is to become a bi-weekly shareholder. Bi-weekly shareholders receive the same products  as the weekly shareholders.

How much of each item will I receive in my share?

Quantities are pre-determined during the winter planning months so growers buy adequate amounts of seeds and start-ups. Here are some examples of the weights of items found in the 2009 CSA:

• Herbs – 1 oz.
• Sugar snap peas – 6 oz.
• Mixed salad greens – 6 oz.
• Head lettuce – ¾ - 1 lb.
• Asparagus – 1 lb.
• Summer squash – 1 lb.
• Sweet peppers – 1 lb.
• Potatoes – 2 lbs.
• Butternut squash – 2 lbs.
• Watermelon – 5 lbs.

How do you determine the cost of your shares?

We price our CSA to cover the true cost of farming in an environmentally responsible way.  The costs of a share are determined in advance of the growing season and are calculated after taking a number of factors into consideration.  These factors include an estimated value based on farmers production costs, operating requirements, labor, and provide a fair market price in order for our farmers to stay in business.

Conventional produce sold in supermarkets is artifically cheap due to goverment subsidies geared towards large scale production.  Up to 50% of the fresh produce is imported from countries where workers do not receive a living wage.  We cannot compete with the price of food which originates from foreign countries where cheap labor and less stringent environmental standards may exist.

We can give you environmentally safer, freaher food grown by farmers in your own community.  Our food is not expensive.  It is priceless.

Can I choose some of the items in my share?

All produce is grown when conditions are optimal for the plants.  Growers plan their crops according to the season that provides the best conditions to bring you the highest quality foods.  Eating seasonally is at the heart of all CSA programs.  Your share will provide you a large variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season.  We will have a trade table at each drop site where members may exchange one item they are not likely to use for another  they might.

Will I be able to order honey, eggs, Basil’s Harvest products, and other things?

Farm fresh eggs will be offered as a CSA share and must be ordered at the time you order your vegetable, fruit, and herb share.   Basil’s Harvest is also offering a CSA Spring Soup Share.  Other products from Basil’s Harvest as well as honey, mushrooms and other local farm fresh foods will be offered in limited numbers as ala carte throughout the season.

Where do I go to pick up my share?

There are four locations where Good Earth Food Alliance CSA shares can be picked up every Tuesday, 4:30 – 6:00 pm.

1. Peoria – under the front portico of Hult Health Education Center
2. Galesburg – arrangements will be made with each CSA member for convenient pick up or drop off.
3. Wildlife Prairie State Park – in the pavilion across the street from the park entrance.
4. Farmington – Living Earth Farm, just south of town.

Please  indicate your drop site choice on the CSA Agreement form.

What will I need when I pick up my share?

The shares will be delivered to each site in boxes.  Please bring your own container or bag to empty the contents of the box so we may reuse the boxes each week.

To sign up for our 2010 CSA, download our CSA Agreement, complete and sign and mail to the address listed on the form along with full payment or deposit.