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We are proud to support this important concept of “community
sponsored agriculture”, which creates a direct relationship
with local farmers and the consumer with the intent of sustainability.
Once a month, the Farm sends a share of their seasonal produce,
enough for the week, in a carefully packaged box and the customer
picks it up at a given drop off point—i.e. Julienne.
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| It is a win-win situation for all involved—the
farmers gain a new audience for their products, the consumer is
introduced to really fresh, organic, possibly new produce and
Julienne benefits simply by having new customers come to our store.
We do not make a penny from being the distribution point, but
just believe in being conscientious about our food sources.
This idea of somehow getting involved with “CSA's”
had been floating in my head for some time, ever since I heard
people speak with great enthusiasm over their weekly “box”.
I was intrigued that vegetables could elicit such a response.
I contacted our own produce vendors, talked to customers about
their interest in such an idea, tracked down other CSA's
in neighboring states, scoured the internet and The
Slow Food Movement….ultimately, I settled on Tierra
Miguel Farms, located near Fallbrook. I was impressed that
they’ve been in business for over nine years, and had such
a deep commitment to sustainable growth. Mel, the farm manager,
came up to see me the next day and we immediately agreed that
Julienne would be an ideal distribution point. I thought it fitting
that Julienne host these boxes of wonderful, fresh, organic produce….and
perhaps sell some wine or olive oil to complement the contents!
Here’s how it works:
~Sign up for either weekly or biweekly delivery on the Tierra Miguel website.
~The contents are a “surprise”, based on the farm’s
discretion. You do not get to “cherry pick” your contents.
~Julienne does not take the orders or the payment.
~Recipes are posted on-line weekly as a means to encourage new
ways of preparing foods.
~If you have any concerns about the quality or the contents, contact
Tierra Miguel
directly.
If you are interested, please make all arrangements directly
with Tierra Miguel.
I hope you will take advantage of this new way to enjoy the pleasures
of the harvest.
Thank you!
Julie
Site Coordinator
Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) (excerpt from Tierra Miguel Foundation )
In the early 1990's a small group was formed to explore the potential
for setting up a socially responsible community that would work
together on the premise of building a site for agricultural renewal,
healing and contemplative practices. This group searched for land
and direction for ten years. With the sad loss of a Southern California
biodynamic farm in late 1999 and the subsequent loss of biodynamic
produce for many community people, the group pressed into action.
>> Sign up
now
Slow Food Movement (excerpt from the Slow
Food website)
Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic organization that was
founded in 1989 to counteract the disappearance of local food
traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they
eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices
affect the rest of the world. Slow Food has over 80,000 members
in 100 countries. Its headquarters are in Bra, Italy. Slow Food
organizes large-scale biennial events, including Terra
Madre and Salone
del Gusto, as well as publishing books on food and wine, running
the University of
Gastronomic Sciences and supporting the growth of the movement
around the world. www.slowfood.com
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