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Sign Up Now for Eighth Annual Cal Poly Organic Farm Weekly Vegetables

SAN LUIS OBISPO - The Cal Poly Organic Farm is once again making it easy for Central Coast residents to eat their vegetables.

Photo of bright vegetables and flowers The farm's spring and summer Community Supported Agriculture Program is now in its eighth season of weekly fruit and produce box deliveries, and has grown from 25 to 300 subscribers. The 24-week season begins April 1 and closes Sept. 14. Each week, CSA subscribers receive a mouth-watering selection of farm-fresh organic produce.

Students and staff at the Cal Poly Organic Farm harvest its vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers Monday and Thursday mornings and box the seasonal produce. Subscribers pick up their boxes Monday or Thursday afternoons between 3 and 7 p.m. at the farm or one of the county-wide drop sites.

The majority of the produce provided in the harvest box is grown at the Cal Poly Organic Farm, though some is grown on Central Coast organic farms participating in the program. "The produce is harvested the same day you receive it, so freshness and nutrition are at its peak," said CSA program coordinator Elaine Genasci.

Fruits and vegetables in the box vary weekly depending on what is seasonally available. Spring and summer season crops include lettuce, leafy greens, onions, arugula, leeks, carrots, tomatoes, eggplant, corn, bell peppers, melons, and more.

Subscribers receive a weekly newsletter with recipes and farm-related information as well as an events calendar detailing farm activities and workshops related to sustainability. "Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership, really," Genasci said. "In exchange for a commitment to buy a share from our farm's harvest, students and staff commit to grow high quality herbs, vegetables and fruit for you."

Subscribers can choose a weekly "whole share" or "half share" produce box. Whole share subscriptions are recommended for a family of four to five people and are $600 per season ($25/box). The half share subscription is $432 per season ($18/box) and is recommended for a family of two to three people.

Special rates for student subscribers are available for nine weeks during the spring quarter. This year, students and community members can participate in a work-trade program and receive a half-share harvest box in exchange for working four hours per week at the farm. Full-share harvest boxes are available in exchange for working six hours per week at the farm.

For more information, contact Cindy Douglas, Cal Poly Organic Farm manager, at orgfarm@calpoly.edu or visit www.calpolyorgfarm.com.

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