1. Washington Square CSA Member Orientation Summer 2015 Tuesday June 16, 2015 St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery 1

2. What is a CSA?  CSA stands for Community Support Agriculture  Provide communities direct access to locally grown produce that is fresh, organically (or sustainably) grown, and of the highest quality  Provides a mutually beneficial and direct relationship between the farmer and CSA members  Consumers interested in safe food; farmers seeking stable markets for their crops; economic partnerships  History :  Introduction to the United States from Europe in the mid- 1980s  Concept originated in the 1960s in Switzerland and Japan 2

3. Meet Our Farm & Farmer  Name : Norwich Meadows Farm  Farmers : Zaid and Haifa Kurdieh  Location : Norwich, New York  Near center of imaginary triangle that connects Syracuse, Albany and Binghamton  4 hour drive (188 miles north of Manhattan)  Their Philosophy : “Realizing the condition and health of Earth’s resources is paramount in the production of food, and as keepers of the earth, we promise to strive to preserve and not damage agricultural land, and to use it in a manner that is economically, ecologically and ethically sound.” 3

4. Meet Just Food (est. 1995)  Who Are They?  An organization that empowers and supports community leaders in their efforts to increase access to locally grown food  What They Do?  Pioneer sustainable food model: CSAs, community- run farmers’ markets, farm-to-food pantry programs, etc.  Trains and builds lasting partnerships with community leaders and community based organizations to develop projects, such as CSAs, farmers markets, and other models, that create alternative ways to bring farm-fresh, locally grown food to their neighbors 4

5. Welcome!  97 summer share members  New: 40 (41%)  Returning: 57 (59%)  Membership History of returning 57 members 5 # Years# Members 228 310 48 52 69

6. Who Coordinates the CSA?  A core group of 7 CSA members  Team works with farmers and member s to prepare and run:  Pick-up site  Order forms  Newsletters  Web-site  Facebook  Member records  Finances  Solicitation of member input  Community outreach  Member work schedules  Etc.  In recognition of their contributions, the core group receives $200 share credit to be split among active core group members, and a complimentary share for the site coordinator  Any committed member who wants to devote their energy, time and talent is eligible to join the core group upon an opening 6

7. Meet The Core Group MemberRole(s) EvaNewsletter Editor/Recipe Distributor(1) DanielSite Coordinator(1) JacquelineSite Coordinator(2)/Instagram & Twitter Administrator LizzWebmaster LindaTreasurer(incoming) MollyMember Communications Coordinator/Site Coordinator(3)/Cooking Demonstration Chef/Recipe Distributor(2) NatalieTreasurer(outgoing)/Farm Administrator/Member Events Coordinator/Secretary 7

8. Share Pick-Up Logistics  Day : Tuesday  Location: St. Marks’ Church in the Bowery  Duration : June 16 – mid-late October 2015  Time : 4:00PM – 8:00PM  Shares not picked up will be donated to the St. Mark’s Church food pantry  Share cannot be pick up at any other times  Exception: Volunteers who work the first shift to help unload produce truck can take share then 8

9. Before You Pick-Up…  Read the weekly newsletter to get an idea of how many bags/boxes/containers you will need to bring  Newsletter will also indicate if there are any changes to the weekly plan  Pack bags for your produce  Urgent updates will also be posted to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 9

10. Pick-Up Logistics  First things first: Check in with site coordinator  Buffet-style farm stand  Members will gather individual produce into self provided container  Bags will NOT be provided  Add-ons such as fruit, milk, cheese, etc. will be managed by site coordinator and volunteers  What are add-ons? They are NOT part of the regular share, but rather items purchased in addition to a regular share  A site coordinator will be there to help steer you to your produce an well as answer any questions  For those splitting a share, only one person can pick up (no half share pick-ups) 10

11. Unable To Pick Up?  Send a friend or family member  Post to our Facebook site to see if another member can pick up for you, maybe they will need the favor later in the summer…  If neither of these options work, rest assured knowing that your share will be donated to the food pantry 11

12. Volunteering  Each member must complete two 2-hour work shifts over the course of the season  No Exception: Cannot make payment in lieu of volunteering  $50 will be charged for each incomplete shift, or for shifts cancelled within 48 hours  Sign up for your 1 st volunteer shift on volunteer spot by Tuesday June 30 th  The 1PM – 3PM delivery shift requires the ability to lift/carry heavy bins, it is the high priority shift 12

13. Planned Events  Monthly cooking demonstrations using produce from that week share  Just Food Smackdown  Organized by Just Food  Held in the Church courtyard  Date TBD  Winner may represent Washington Square CSA in finale  Summer potluck  Early Fall  Any members interested in hosting?  Church Cleanup and beautification  Visit from farmer  Late fall  Fall farm trip  Market Days 13

14. What is Market Day?  Provides an opportunity to make a one-time purchase from regular add-on options as well as Markey Day only products  Ideal for those who regret that they did not purchase add-ons  Vendors will include  Norwich Meadows  River and Ludlo  Cayuga Pure Organics  Milk Not Jails  Can you think of more companies?  Both current and past members can participate  Dates: TBD  Will have at least 2 this season 14

15. WSCSA on Social Media  Instagram: #wscsa and @wscsa  Facebook: Washington Square CSA 15

16. Questions?  St. Mark’s Church  Just Food 16 Special thanks to… Feedback  Feel free to share with site coordinator  Email us at info@washingtonsquarecsa.com info@washingtonsquarecsa.com  Complete the end of season questionnaire