Hello, Chris! When I lived in CT, I worked on a certified organic CSA in New Haven County and for NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association). I suggest you check out the NOFA web page on CT CSAs to find an operation that's on the up-and-up:
http://www.ctnofa.org/CSAs.htm A CSA that acts as a distribution point for a number of local GROWERS seems like a legitimate and sensible business; someone who runs an organic orchard, for example, might team up with someone who grows vegetables because together they can offer a better selection than either can alone. An operation that calls itself a CSA, acts as a distributor for a number of SUPPLIERS, and doesn't grow anything itself, however, sounds a little fishy. If you (or anyone else) wants to discuss this with me off-list, please feel free to e-mail me directly. Happy gardening! Jennifer Barricklow Lexington KY (formerly CT) On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:23:22 -0500 [email protected] writes: > From: Chris Reid <[email protected]> > Subject: [Community_garden] thoughts on where our food comes from > To: [email protected] > > thanks, Mike and all for the discussion of the fine print on our > food, organic, local, or otherwise. > > Our farmers' markets charge at least what whole foods charges in > many cases; sometimes more. > > So, after feeling fleeced with the Earthbound fertilizer scam, I > started looking into a local CSA, which is something I really wanted > to join.? Turns out that several local CSAs are really consortia of > suppliers, and function as distributors rather than primary grower > on some things they offer. > > > ?Does anybody know of a state that does a really good job of > regulation and oversight on CSA's?? It could really get scammy as > more people love the warm fuzzy feeling of a "farm" they have never > seen.?? I would not like to think so -- but the Earthbound use of a > "fish fertilizer" adulterated with chemical ammonium sulfate (at a > cost of 5% of what an organic fertilizer would cost -- and they > "didn't know"??? Hmmmm.) has me really rethinking where to buy and > when to be dubious.? Some are committed to organic food and some are > committed to the price they can get for "organic" food. > > Maybe this factors into the increase in vegetable seed sales? > > Chris Reid > Stamford, CT ____________________________________________________________ Digital Photography - Click Now. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTDvmTKj8nsA0MtYxCUFsNKxxLmOVfuI1kUmWn5iMEYCtbjy29b0II/ _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
