CSA celebrates 20 years of fresh food

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Great ideas tend to be generated from two places: either out of nowhere — a flash of brilliance, a once in a lifetime opportunity, a matter of coincidence — or after long, careful reflection.

For Hilary Baum, her idea to create Riverdale Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) — a non-profit organization that delivers farm-grown products throughout the growing season to members in exchange for an advance payment to the farm — was a combination of both.

In 1996, Ms. Baum and two colleagues wanted to bring fresh food to Riverdale and were looking to partner up with a farm that would provide products for their CSA. That was the strategic part.

A little bit of luck came into play was when Ms. Baum heard about an event that Just Food, a non-profit organization that was looking to introduce fresh food to New York City, would be hosting.

She attended the event, spoke with Just Food, and the rest, as they say, is history. So much history that it continues even today, as the Riverdale CSA celebrated the start of its 20th season on June 11.

“There really is a feeling of connection with that food that you’re bringing home as a vehicle that connects you with the seasons and the healthier aspects of our environment,” Ms. Baum said about the Riverdale CSA. “You’re getting a lot of knowledge, understanding and transparency when you’re buying this way that you cannot get at a supermarket.”

The CSA was introduced to give farmers a steady income no matter what happened with the weather during the growing season.

Members pay $610 for two seasons’ worth of shares from Hawthorne Valley Farm, located about two hours away in Ghent, New York. The farmer at Hawthorne Valley grows what he or she can produce depending on the weather conditions, and then, over the course of 22 weeks, the harvest is distributed to several CSAs.

The local CSA, based at the Riverdale Neighborhood House, is just one of four similar organizations the farm has a partnership with.

On June 11, members had the chance to reap the rewards of the summer season.

Community Supported Agriculture, Hilary Baum, Hawthorne Valley Farm, Riverdale Neighborhood House, Kelly McLane, Annette Diiorio, farming, vegetables, Daniel Ynfante
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