Natural Way CSA — A Local Food-share CollaborationBy Brittany Pouch
We all know, it's time for us to start living consciously — especially when it comes to what we eat. There are so many harmful chemicals that are added to commercial food, it's no wonder almost every American is ailing from some kind of "condition." Dyes, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, preservatives, fillers, waxes, and other additives that are not only unnecessary — but also harmful — are regularly used in the commercial food industry. Natural Way CSA is a healthy answer to this fast-paced, fast-food era. Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is not a new thing. People have been buying produce from the local farmers ever since people have been buying produce. By joining a CSA program, one receives a share of the farm's harvest, usually weekly, by pick up or delivery. Costs are very reasonable, considering it is the best quality out there, and you're probably getting it delivered very close to where you live. You don't have to pay for it to be shipped, stored, sprayed, stocked, and sold. The farmers pick it the day you get it, and it includes many tasty and more interesting varieties of produce — not just the ones that can handle that traumatic distribution and sales experience! In the Natural Way CSA program, a collaborative of local producers works to nourish our community with the best produce available — all chemical-free, all produced naturally. Working together, in multiple local microclimates, we can fill the gap of farmer-to-consumer sales inconsistencies. Our program runs an average of 20 consecutive weeks from June through September. People are offered two share sizes: full or half-shares. Shares are delivered weekly to Shelton businesses and are available for pick up at the Shelton Farmers Market, as well as many other locations. For the 20-week season, the costs are $550/family share (two to four people), and $350/half share (one to two people). Half of the total is paid up front to provide the farmers money to get the season started. The rest is due when the first basket is received. We also offer the opportunity to work off some of your CSA cost. Subscribers can pay for half of their CSA, and throughout the season, come to a farm and work off the rest. This is great for any age person. Have a fun, educational day in the sun! Interns are also welcome at our farms, and some lodging is available for work-trade. On Fridays, May through October, we hold work-trade parties. All helpers go home with fresh produce. Through working with other local producers, we are able to offer more than just vegetables in our CSAs. For an extra $75 for the 20-week season, you can receive flower bouquets, free-range organic farm-fresh eggs, hand-rolled organic and vegan chocolate truffles, or hand-baked dog treats regularly. All of our products are naturally made by the passionate hands of people in your community. Natural Way CSA currently offers products from Natures Creation Organic Farm, Oakland Bay Farm, Laughing Duck Farm, Blissful Wunders, and Pearl Petfood and Treats. We are also working on being able to offer organic meat portions, handmade soaps, local honey, baked goods, dairy, and mushrooms through our program. Contact us if you are a local producer and might want to get involved in our program. We feel it is so important to be educated about what you eat. We offer a newsletter in every CSA basket. It includes an introduction to a local producer, recipes, and information on educational opportunities that we put on, and more. We work hand-in-hand with the Shelton Farmers Market, and most of our producers sell their products at the market weekly. We often use this as a place for educational opportunities. We also have a harvest festival in the fall at Natures Creation Organic Farm, where we hold demonstrations and family activities, such as food preservation, fire-starting skills, and a "Pick 'n Cook" community kitchen. So let us do what we love to do, so you can do what you love to do. CSA has so many benefits: You save gas, time spent shopping, and money. You keep the money in local circulation. You don't eat things that you can't even pronounce most of the ingredients in! Treat yourself without going out of your way, and support the local folks who will turn around and support your friends and family. We grow to know our clients, who return year after year, and we welcome suggestions. We want to help people make the lifetime conscious commitment of eating local and naturally, not only for the community, but also for themselves. We are still taking applications, so please contact us. We will hose a CSA seminar on Saturday, April 26th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Shelton Timberland Library. Brittany Pouch and her husband own Natures Creation Organic Farm and are in charge of the Shelton Farmers Market. They produce healthy garden starts, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Their products are available Saturdays 9 to 2 p.m. at the Shelton Farmers Market (May-September). Produce is also available for pick-up at their farm. Call 360-426-6693 or email them at uprising.the.love@gmail.com.
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