Goddard Id Farm

Dear potential CSA customers,

My name is Jeremy Foss, owner of Goddard Id Farm, and I will be running a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation on the JustFood incubator farm located just off of Innes Rd. I am looking for people who would be interested becoming members. The CSA will run for 16 weeks from late June to early October. Members will be able to choose either a full or half share of the farm’s weekly output of fresh local vegetables and garden herbs and will have access to several optional extras. All production is following strict organic methods and the farm is in the process of being certified organic by EcoCert.


What is a CSA:

• Community Supported Agriculture is a model that many small-scale farms are using to distribute their produce and is designed to create an equitable partnership between the farmer, the consumer, and the land. At the beginning of the year members purchase a “share” of the farm’s output and every week of the growing season they receive a box containing their “share”. There are typically between 6 and 10 different items in the box each week. These items will vary over the course of the year as certain items are highly seasonal. CSAs typically represent greater convenience and a better value for money than purchasing items separately at a farmers’ market and items are fresher and of higher quality than organic items in the grocery store. By having members purchase their shares at the start of the season some of the risks associated with small-scale food production are spread between the farmer and the membership. Ultimately, the success of organic food production is based on the health of the soil. Proper organic processes, as promoted by CSAs, actually increase the health and fertility of the soil resulting in better yields and higher quality produce, and ensure sustainable production year after year. By purchasing your CSA membership at the start of the season you will be accepting both the rewards and the risks of local organic food production.


Why join a CSA:

• As a member you will get to enjoy the tastiest and freshest possible field-ripened vegetables and herbs. I will be producing approximately 90 different varieties that have been selected primarily for taste and texture, as opposed to the industrial criteria of durability and cosmetic uniformity.
• There is peace of mind in knowing your farmer and knowing where and how your food is produced.
• Eating food in season is not only an environmentally sound practice but can also help reacquaint us with some of the natural rhythms of food that industrial production and distribution has disrupted.
• You get to experience a wider range of varieties than are available in the grocery store. Many members say that the opportunity to expand their food horizons is one of the biggest benefits of being part of a CSA.
• It is a great way to support the local economy and to encourage sustainable agriculture.
• It helps preserve our agricultural heritage and biodiversity as many of the veggies planted are heirloom varieties that have a long history in North America and beyond. Without small-scale producers, many of these would disappear as they do not have the characteristics demanded by industrial techniques.


CSA may not be for everyone:

• Committing to a CSA share means accepting that field-grown vegetables and herbs are only available in season. For example, items like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and onions come later in the year; greens, radishes, and green onions are earlier producers.
• The size of the shares each week, whether more or less, can be dependent on the weather and other factors such as pests or disease. I will be planting enough different varieties that these potential risks will be minimized and I will be striving to consistently provide significantly more than market value.


Where, when, and how much:

• The CSA will run for 16 weeks. The first delivery will tentatively be scheduled for Thursday, June 27th and will run through to Oct 10th.
• The price per full share will be $500 for the season.
• The price of half shares will be $280 for the season. *N.B.* Half shares may not always consist of half of the amount of each item. Due to harvesting and packaging considerations half shares may sometimes consist of full sized portion of fewer items.
• Boxes will be available for pick-up either at the farm at 2389 Pepin Court at Innes (click here for a map) or in Hintonburg at 87 Bayswater.
• Home delivery of full and half shares is available within the city for an additional $80 for the season.


Extras:

• With cluck I will have dozens of other items available weekly for $5.
• Weekly emails and frequent Facebook postings will keep members up to date on the progress at the farm, the contents of weekly boxes, and give preparation suggestions. Members are encouraged to develop and share favorite recipes as well.
• Bulk items for canning and storage will be available for sale towards the end of the year for reasonable prices. Items will likely include tomatoes, potatoes, onions, parsnips, carrots, and winter squash, with each particular variety having been chosen for it's good storage characteristics.
• Farm visits can be arranged so that members can see first hand how their food is being produced. I encourage everyone to come to the farm at least once in the season.


Personal Information:

• I can be reached by any of the following methods:
at goddardidfarm@gmail.com
on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GoddardIdFarm
on my cell phone @ 613-853-4077
at home @ 613-256-6923
• I am happy to answer any and all question regarding the CSA including production methods, vegetable varieties and expected harvest dates, personal philosophy, etc.
• Please feel free to forward this message to anyone else who you think may be interested in eating fresh, delicious vegetables this summer! Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.


Looking forward to providing you with nutritious and delicious food,

Jeremy Foss