So What About those Reusable Bags?

New York artist Joshua Allen Harris has crafted inflatable animals by tying plastic bags to subway grates in Manhattan. Watch the video...

What Would You Like for Special Events?

Kirstin Swanson, our new events coordinator, wants to know what you'd like to do this year. Please fill in the SurveyMonkey survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xUKON1C4MPMF_2bbpCpUatdg_3d_3d before June 24.

Work Schedule Posted

The work schedule is available on the site. Check your dates here...

Photos from June 7 Farm Visit

Lenny Librizzi posted photos from the June 7 farm visit. See them here...

Grant for Parkside Seniors!

The Staten Island Community Supported Agriculture Group has received a grant of $2,500 from the Citizens Committee for New York City.

The SICSA, in partnership with Northfield Local Development Corporation, will use the $2500 to provide fresh, local, organic produce to approximately 30 seniors living on fixed incomes at the Parkside Senior Housing Development, for 22 weeks from the beginning of June to the end of October.

Click here for the entire press release....

John Krueger's Messages

We have a new farmer this year, John Krueger, owner and operator of the Starbrite Farm, which supplies organic produce to four other community-supported-agriculture programs in New York and New Jersey. Another change is that the pickup day will shift from Saturday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon.

Click here for John's messages.

Letter and Photos from Chuck Roohr

If you've been wondering what's been happening with Chuck, our original CSA farmer, click here to see his letter.

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.