Some Freebies Next Tuesday!

From the Lewis Waite Farm: We are proposing to send the following for your CSA to sample. Please let us know whether or not if these items are good for you.

• Liverwurst
• Shushan Snow cheese
• Rupert ½ lb
• Just Rhubarb Jam
• 8 Grain, 3 Seed Bread
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread
• Cambridge 1 lb cheese
• Plain Chevre
• Honey Bear
• Granola

Thanks for all the work you do,
Chris
Lewis Waite Farm
www.csalewiswaitefarm.com 

Additional Products Information

We've worked out the schedule for delivery of our additional products from Lewis Waite Farm. Our first delivery date will be June 16--our first CSA pickup day. Orders must be completed online by June 11 to guarantee availability. The login process and how to place an order and pay by PayPal were sent to everyone who said he or she was interested by email.

If you haven't received the information, please send a note to eggs@statenislandcsa.org and ask us to send you the login and password.

Note that m eat deliveries will be every two weeks or once a month, depending on the level of interest. Go to the list of products for what the Lewis Waite Farm offers CSAs.

Farmer's Message

See Farmer John's first update by clicking here.

First Distribution: Tuesday, June 16!

Note that the starting date was pushed back a week, from June 9 to June 16.

The work schedule has been published. For your dates, go to the schedule. Other work assignments:

• Diane Kent  - Treasurer
• Katie Corwin - Meat and dairy share coordinator
• Kim Moser - Recipe coordinator
• Kirstin Swanson - Special events
• Lenny Librizzi - Group coordinator

SI Advance Writes about Our Eggs and Meat Project

See "Members Sought for Farm Fresh Group." Thanks, Maura Grundlund!

Deadline for the Reduced Rate is Extended!

The cost for 22 weeks of organic vegetables is $525 if you sign up before June 2, $550 after. Payment plans are available, but make sure you make arrangements as soon as possible with Lenny Librizzi or treasurer Diane Kent.

Click here for a copy of the registration form and fee schedule (Adobe PDF).

Wood Chips Available at Christ Church

Christ Church had some branches trimmed and some dead trees removed, and County Tree Care left us the wood chips. They're raw, so they're not good for mulch yet, but you can use them for paths and compost starters.

Take as much as you like, whenever you like--the pile is at the entrance to the parking lot on Fillmore St.

What is Staten Island Community Supported Agriculture?

Staten Island Community Supported Agriculture is a group of Staten Islanders who buy shares in a farmer's vegetable and fruit crop for the growing season. We support Starbrite Farm and John Krueger, the farmer, and share the risks and benefits of food production with him.

There are dozens of other community-supported agriculture (CSA) groups in the New York metropolitan area, all coordinated by Just Food. Typically, members or "share-holders" of the farm or garden pay for a share in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production.

Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. However, by direct sales to community members who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.

Another benefit of the program is that farmers can continue to make a living on their land and pass their farms to their chilcren rather than be forced to sell to developers to pay for retirement. CSAs, therefore, help maintain open land near metropolitan areas. They also reduce members' reliance on vegetables and fruit trucked across the U.S. and from other countries.