Community Supported Agriculture

Post date: Mar 23, 2010 1:34:24 AM

This is a message from Ben's Produce announcing our Summer 2010 CSA.

This year the MCAC is supporting our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) by working with us to get the word out to residents from all neighborhoods within the MCAC. We have the support of the MCAC in developing sufficient demand for a distribution site within the Mordecai CAC district starting with our 2010 Fall/Winter CSA season continuing into 2011 and beyond. Spread the word to family, friends and neighbors!

We (Ben & Patricia) live on Sasser St. but our farm is in Clayton. You may have seen us selling our produce at Music on the Porch at Seaboard Station last fall. You can find our CSA Brochure through this link and our blog which is updated weekly through this link.

Ben’s Produce grows an abundant selection of holistically grown produce in Clayton, NC. We to strive for primacy of a healthy planet and people by providing fresh and local food which is harvested at the peak of ripeness and taste. Ben's Produce exceeds organic guidelines but is not certified. We are confident the noticeable quality of our produce as well as our direct relationship with customers & members speaks to our commitment to healthy food and healthy agricultural practices.

Ben's Produce was started in September 2009 by us, Benjamin Shields and Patricia Parker, in cooperation with Double-T Farm in Garner. We grow half an acre garden of vegetables, melons, strawberries and cut flowers which you are welcome to stop by and visit at1000 McLemore Rd., Clayton NC. 27520. By appointment please, as we are not always there.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) - CSA is a mutually beneficial relationship between us farmers and you. By making a pre-season investment in our farm, you become a seasonal member who shares the rewards & risks of the growing season. Your investment allows us to afford annual start up costs, to pay ourselves fair wages and to share the risks inherent in growing food. In return for your investment, we will provide you fresh, healthy, local vegetables and fruits. Our food not only tastes better and lasts longer, it's better for you and it nourishes local agriculture, economy and environment.

We offer 2 share sizes, Full Share for $600 and Half Share for $400. Weekly pickups will be every Tuesday evening between 4pm and 7pm in 5-Points off of Whitaker Mill Rd. The season runs from late April through mid October for 25 weeks. Members will receive 23 weeks of produce. This scheme allows you the flexibility to miss 2 pickups without penalty.

We still have membership spots open and payment deadlines are rolling but we do have limited capacity. We offer a payment plan if you wish to spread your payments out. If you wish to use our payment plan, please send us your deposits and the 2 payments thereafter are due 30 days and 60 days after making your deposit. Please see the Ben's Produce CSA brochure for details. Please send us your deposit along with a copy of the brochure with your information. Please consider joining Ben's Produce Summer 2010 CSA.

A BIG thank you to the MCAC for the support and we hope to hear from you soon!

Be good and eat well,

Ben & Patricia