Traditionally, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has consisted of a community of individuals who pledge financial support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

In advance of the start of the growing season, members or shareholders of the farm or garden pledge to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary by paying a sum of money up front. In return, they receive an assorted box or bag of vegetables on a weekly basis throughout the growing season (typically 20-25 weeks) based on what is being harvested during that timeframe.

The Greener Grocer is interested in taking the spirit of this concept and adding an “urban” spin to it. Given that we will be buying as much seasonal, fresh picked and flavorful produce from the local farm community as possible and that our main goal is to create a broader market opportunity for the farm community and increase profits for small to mid-size farms, we will be honoring the spirit of the CSA concept by selling a bag of seasonal vegetables to our Greener Grocer guests.

Shareholders will be able pick up weekly bags of beautiful, tasty produce assembled from various local growers who follow sustainable farming practices, including minimal or no use of chemical-based pesticides or herbicides.

Weekly food bags will contain a bag of our house salad mix plus 7-10 different kinds of produce, with seasonal variation based on availability. Included in each weekly box will be information about the growers, their farming practices, and a delicious recipe for preparing the food. As an extra incentive, The Greener Grocer will donate two food bags for every ten paid bags to the Clintonville Resource Center’s food pantry program.

Even though our UCSA season started on Tuesday, July 1st (and concludes on Tuesday, November 11th), it’s not too late to sign up for a seasonal share! The cost of a share for 2008 is $600.00. For guests signing up after July 1st, we will simply deduct $30 per week from the total cost of $600.

You can pay in full up front or, using a credit card as a guarantee, you may also purchase a share using the following payment plan:

• $240.00 by July 15th (subtract $30 for each subsequent week)
• $150.00 by August 15th
• Final payment of $150.00 by September 15th

We accept Master Card, Visa and Discover or you can stop by the store and pay cash in person.

Currently there are 2 sites where you may pick up your weekly food bag each Tuesday:

• Clintonville Resource Center from 4-7pm
• The Greener Grocer from 9am-7pm (curb side pick-up available between 4PM-6PM. Just call ahead and identify your vehicle!)

Please give us a call at 614.223.1512 for more information or to sign up!