CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Becoming a member of a CSA is one of the best ways for consumers to access and support local sustainable food. However, being a member in a CSA is much different than shopping for vegetables at a grocer or supermarket. Members receive a "share" of the harvest from the farm in the coming season and, in return, the farmer is assured a reliable market. The produce is harvested once a week and contains an assorted variety of high-quality, hand-picked fresh vegetables, the content of which depends upon seasonal variability. So, no tomatoes in the winter and no beets in July. The box is picked up within twenty-four hours of harvest (which means its fresher and more nutritious than anything at a store).
CSA is a direct local connection between the community and the farmer. It is a closer partnership between you and the steward of your food and local ecosystem. You will get to see exactly where and how your food is produced and you will get to know personally the people whose hard work went into feeding you. We encourage farm visits and will have events in the future for CSA members to get to know our farmers. CSA members will be updated each week as to what produce is in the boxes, so keep checking our website and
WHY ROOTS MEMPHIS?
Roots Memphis provides seasonal vegetables that are both sustainable and local, which makes it a rare product in the Memphis region. The food miles traveled by a Roots Memphis CSA box is no more than the distance from you to the pick-up location. Further, because the Farm Academy is engaged in farmer training, you are also helping to make local and sustainable food more accessible to everyone in our our region. We believe in a future in which local and sustainable produce is no longer rare, but the norm.
By purchasing a Roots Memphis CSA share, you are contributing to the growth of your local economy by supporting new local farmers, caring for the health of our region and planet by supporting sustainable farming practices, and getting a fresher, healthier product at the same time.
Thank you for believing in us and supporting the hard work of our farmers.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
By placing an order through the Roots Memphis website, you are signing up to be a member of the Roots Memphis CSA. Select the CSA type you want - either a full or half share for Winter or Summer. Roots Memphis is currently only able to offer pick-up as a delivery option, which will be automatically selected for you as you check out. The pick-up location is at First Congregational Church, 1000 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104. You must pick up between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM every Saturday morning during the CSA.
Please read and understand the terms on the product pages for becoming a member of the Roots Memphis CSA. By purchasing a CSA share on this website, you agree that you have read and understand the terms of the Roots Memphis CSA. Provide your contact information, select your payment method, either cash or Paypal (we are working to establish credit card processing on our site, but for now you can select cash and pay later, or if you use Paypal, you can check out online), and contact Mary to work out the details (). Then, you will receive a weekly box of delicious local and sustainable produce grown right here by Roots Memphis and our Farm Academy students.
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THESE VEGGIES?
Don't worry, you're not alone. We're all trying to eat healthier and more local, and sometimes that means changing what's for dinner around what's available this time of year. From time to time, Roots Memphis will insert veggie guides and suggested recipes for the mysterious things you haven't heard of and don't know how to prepare...and for those times when you've run out of ideas and just aren't sure what to do. In the future, look for recipes and guides online for CSA members as well.
