Farmer Brian Poeppel

Meet Brian Poeppel of Broad Branch Farms in Wyoming, Illinois.  Brian and his wife Anita are supplying CSA (community supported agriculture ) produce boxes for the 2009 season.  Learn about why locally grown foods are tastier and fresher. Click on his video to watch.

Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA)

Did You Know?
What is Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA)?

In a nutshell Community Supported Agriculture is a program where a local farm offers prepaid subscriptions or shares for a weekly box of fresh food.

“(CSA) is a new idea in farming, one that has been gaining momentum since its introduction to the United States from Europe in the mid-1980s.

Basically, CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes a community, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

Typically, members or “subscribers” of the farm or garden pay in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production.

Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests.

By direct sales to members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.”

Why Participate in a CSA ?
The most important advantage is the quality of food you receive. The fruits and vegetables that go in the boxes are usually picked the night before or day of the pickup or delivery. Unless you are growing yourself, you can’t get fresher food.

When you sign up for a CSA programs from participating local farmers, co-ops or farmers markets you help support the local economy and are a part of sustainable growth for the future.

How Can I Participate?
CSA producers can be located by searching through the web I found this site that offers some options: http://www.localharvest.org/search Just type in your zip code and you’ll find several options for your area.
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*An EXCERPT from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): An Annotated Bibliography and Resource Guide

Organic vs. Sustainable

Did You Know?
Organic vs. Sustainable – Understanding What’s Behind the Words

As the interest in organic and sustainable food continues to grow, people are wondering what these words mean – and how it impacts their buying decision at the marketplace.

To label anything organic requires a rigid certification program by and authorized organization to be “legit.” In reality organic can mean different things to each individual. Many consumers believe that organic means locally grown food without the use of pesticides and fertilizers using ethically and ecologically sound methods. Meat and dairy is considered organic if it is without genetically modified hormones or feed.

So is Sustainable the Same as Organic?
Sustainability really ties into the reality of growing good food is all about. Without sustainability there cannot be organic. Sustainability speaks to how the food is grown on land that isn’t treated with chemicals to increase growth and diminish insect infestation. By rotating where crops are planted farmers can keep nutrients in the soil. It is also how when the food is harvested what is not used is put back into the earth. All of these farming practices are a part of what makes food organic. It seems like the farmers from a few generations ago had the right idea.

Here’s One Things To Remember
You can’t have organic food without sustainable farming. Sustainable = good soil = nutritious food.

More on nutrition and sustainable food coming soon.

Welcome to Food Community TV

The Pickle Guy

Meet Gary Frederick (a.k.a “The Pickle Guy”). Greg creates signature pickles and giardiniera, using regionally grown produce. Learn how he left behind the corporate world to chart his own future. Click on his video to watch.

Chef Pete Trusiak

Meet Chef Pete Trusiak, who creates delicious meals using seasonal produce and meat from Broad Branch Farms.  Chef Pete speaks about the integral relationship between farmer and chef, and how he honors the hardworking farmers by creating wonderful dishes with the local goods.