Community Supported Agriculture

What is a CSA?

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) offers the opportunity to buy and eat food that was grown by a locally based farmer, minimally-packaged, and is grown in ways that support the health of the planet.

To join a CSA individuals or families commit in advance to buy produce from a local farm over the growing season. The members' advance payment helps to support the farmer's season start up costs, which are usually significant. In return, produce is delivered once a week to a central pick-up location – in our case, B’nai Israel. Produce that is left-over is shared with those who might otherwise go hungry or lack fresh produce in their diets.

A CSA is a small-scale but effective way to confront some of the global challenges of pollution, land degradation and poor nutrition. And by their nature, CSAs are platforms for strengthening community and for volunteer leadership development.

How does the B'nai Israel CSA work?

In a partnership with Sandhill Family Farm, synagogue members and all who wish to participate pick-up their weekly (or bi weekly) subscription of produce at B'nai Israel on Thursday afternoons (just in time to prepare a special Shabbat dinner!). All payments are made directly to the farm.

Each week, we get to meet with our farmers and with one another to connect over conversation about food and the farm. We exchange recipes and gardening tips, sharing a commitment to whole food and health.

Take a look at what we create and share by visiting the CSA blog.

For more information, please contact Erin@bnaigainesville.com.