Prospect Heights – Central Brooklyn CSA

It’s never too early to think about a summer CSA!

Let’s face it- it’s freezing! We have had some of the coldest days this winter season. And with more snow on the horizon, even if you like winter weather, it’s still nice to think about being warmer. And if you can agree, let’s snuggle in with the Central Brooklyn CSA and look forward to the warm distribution nights we have ahead of us this year. The following are a few of the updates on the progress and plans we have made so far:

1. As fortune would have it, the Hebron SDA Church (at 1256 Dean Street) has welcomed us back for 2013 distribution.

2. The 2013 season will run from June 13 through November 7 and our distribution day and times will continue to be on Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:30.

3. Jan and Ted Blomgren from Windflower Farm will return as our farmers. In addition to the vegetable share, they will be also be offering us fruit, egg and flower shares. As a reminder, Jan and Ted farm organically and are certified by NOFA.D fruit shares will be available on a sliding scale based on income.

4. More details about share prices and options will be made available in the near future! We will also have membership forms for this season made available in the next month or so.

If you have any questions or would like to take on a core group role, email us at centralbrooklyncsa@gmail.com for more information.

CORE GROUP MEMBERS NEEDED: We could use help with different levels of organization and coordination including membership outreach, coordinating weekly distribution, and event planning! In the past, such volunteers have been able to receive benefits for their much needed and appreciated assistance. Think about it and contact us over the next few months and throughout the season if you’re interested.

Looking forward to a great season!

CBCSA Membership Agreement Form 2013

It’s That Time Again: Sign Up for the Central Brooklyn CSA’s 2012 Season!

We’ve finally gotten all our information together for the 2012 CSA season, (our 3rd CSA season) and are ready to start signing you up for your shares.

We have been busy behind the scenes and would like to report about a few changes for this season, which was brought about because of membership feedback from the surveys and conversations during last season’s distributions:

1. Our farmer has changed! Victor Pavia and El Mirador Farm will be working with another CSA in East New York (where he is much needed), and we will now be working with Ted and Jan Blomgren from Windflower Farm, both seasoned CSA farmers. They will also offer our CSA some additional items like fruit and flowers as well. Jan and Ted farm organically and are certified by NOFA. More information coming to the Blog soon.

2. We are also in the process of looking for an egg share for the CSA. Remember, after you sign up for your veggie share, you will receive information about these extra items and how to purchase them.

3. Important reminder, we are a volunteer-run organization, and we need you! There are a number of key core group roles open, and we would love to have you join us in organizing and running the CSA. See below:

Outreach Coordinator(s): The outreach coordinators will assist in recruiting new members, handling publicity, answering phone and mail queries, and working on these projects during the off season. Multiple people can be involved in this effort.

Newsletter Editor(s): The newsletter editor will collaborate with the core group, farmer, and members to get newsletter material. This should be compiled, formatted, and edited at least two times a month, ideally every week. This could be a revolving responsibility among several members.

Volunteer Coordinator: This person is responsible for setting up and maintaining the weekly schedule for members to volunteer at the distribution site and contacting the volunteers each week to confirm shifts.

Distribution Site Coordinators: This person oversees the weekly veggie distributions, including being onsite when the farmer unloads the truck and making sure the distribution site is cleaned up at the end of each distribution. This role should also be a revolving responsibility among 2 or 3 members.

Please keep in mind that we have a limited amount of shares to go around, so if you want a share for the 2012 season, don’t wait to purchase.

Click here for the 2012 membership agreement!

Thanks for wanting to be a part of our wonderful CSA, hope to see you for the 2012 season.

The Best Central Brooklyn (Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, and surrounding areas) CSA End of Season Party of All Time!

If you are reading this blog post, we can assume two things about you: 1) you love great-tasting, sustainable produce; and 2) you love to party.

As your luck would have it, both of those things come together at 7pm, Sunday November 7th! It’s true, the Central Brooklyn CSA (serving Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, and surrounding areas) is having its first End of Season Party (or as we like to call it,” the Blowout Bash, the Premier Part-tay Around the Way, the Mega Mixer, the Super Soiree, the Best Fest, Get Your Groove On Dot Com”) at Bar Sepia. Join us. Shake your groove thang.

Last Chance to Buy Discount Central Brooklyn CSA Tote Bags!

This is a reminder that Wednesday, 27 October 2010 is the last day to order one of our beautiful Central Brooklyn CSA tote bags for the pre-sale price of $12. When you buy a pre-sale bag you not only guarantee your order, you save 20% off the regular price!

These navy-colored cloth totes (design pictured above) are a great way to reduce waste, conveniently carry CSA produce and all the things we buy around town, and show our love for the Central Brooklyn CSA, which serves Bed Stuy, Crowne Heights, and surrounding areas! Best of all, all proceeds from the bags help our CSA offer great food at a great price.

You can bring cash or check to tomorrow’s distribution, or send a check to NYCCAH with “CBCSA Tote Bag” in the memo line (postmarked by the 27th).

After Wednesday, you can still pre-order bags at distribution or through NYCCAH for $15. All tote bags will be available for pick up and purchase at the End of Season Party at Bar Sepia November 7th.

Be well & eat well,
JT
Central Brooklyn CSA Planning Team Member

Tonight: Cooking Demo #2

Community Chef Emily and Bar Sepia’s Delissa Reynolds join forces for this explosion of cooking!

Whether you had a chance to join us for last week’s amazing cooking expo or not, you do not want to miss tonight’s event. Our Community Chef Emily will be joined by Delissa Reynolds of Bar Sepia (Prospect Heights) from 5 ’til 7pm. If you want to see what two great cooks can do with veggies from this week’s share, it is definitely worth coming to distribution a few minutes early so you can watch the magic happen. Oh yeah, there will be lots of tasty samples, to boot! 😉