2010 CSA Shares Now Available!
What is CSA?
CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture. It is an opportunity to bring together local people with local farmers. Members of the local community make an annual commitment by purchasing a “share” of the anticipated harvest. Payment is made in advance to help purchase seed, fertilizer and soil amendments for the upcoming season. In exchange, the farmer plants, cultivates, harvests, and prepares boxes of fresh organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs each week throughout the growing season.
Local
Local food is fresher. A typical carrot has to travel almost 2,000 miles to reach your dinner table. An enormous amount of energy is wasted and valuable nutrition is lost during this transit time.
Our farm is located within the city limits of Asheville. Our unique location enables us to pick and deliver the freshest possible organic produce to our customers within a very short amount of time. Local food is fresher because it is picked and delivered the same day. Our produce doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles before it gets to your plate. The 3,000 mile salad just became the 3 mile salad.
Why Organic
It just makes sense. Growing organically is more in line with the way nature intended food to grow. Organic practices ensure that the produce is healthier for the farmer, the consumer and the environment. We are a certified organic farm. Our farming practices are governed by the National Organic Program put forth by the USDA. We are inspected annually to make sure we are in compliance with current organic standards. No toxic sprays, no chemical residues, just good clean food.
Sustainable
We strive to farm and live in a sustainable way. Originally, the property that we now own was slated for development into a subdivision. However, we bought it and turned it back into agricultural use. Our aim is to preserve local farmland by buying or leasing it and growing food for the local marketplace.
All of our farm equipment and greenhouses are powered by biodiesel that is made from local waste vegetable oil. We also farm close to town, further reducing wasted energy associated with transportation. Compost, crop rotation, and cover crops are all used to prevent erosion, reduce the risk of plant disease, and fix valuable nutrients into the soil. This provides healthier, more nutrient-rich soil and food.
Breakdown of the Shares
Gladheart Farms offers a 22-week CSA program running from May 28 through October 22, 2010.
A share will consist of one box each week containing a variety of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.
Full share - $600. This is enough produce for a couple, single parent with a couple of children, or small family.
Jumbo share - $800. This is enough produce for a larger family or someone who may want to split a share with friends.
Organic Artisan Bread Share - $154. Bread shares will include one fresh-baked loaf of artisan bread with each box. Bread types will vary throughout the season, including organic spelt, sourdough, whole-wheat, and other specialty breads. Certain loaves may be repeated during the season but we will do our best to have a delightful and wide variety.
Coffee Club Full - $330. 1 lb. of premium coffee from around the world each week. A total of 22 different kinds of coffee. Coffee will be certified organic unless otherwise noted.
Coffee Club Half - $220. 1/2 lb. of premium coffee from around the world each week. A total of 22 different kinds of coffee. Coffee will be certified organic unless otherwise noted.
Pick Up Times and Locations
Gladheart Farms in Oakley - Friday
North Asheville - 37 Mount Vernon Circle - Friday
South Asheville - Friday |
