Community Supported Agriculture Program Accepting New Members

September 24, 2015

For four years, the program to offer fresh, locally grown produce to the Old Dominion University campus community has quietly forged a loyal following.

The CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) @ ODU program is designed to support small farmers and bring fresh, seasonal produce to the community's table.

A partnership of Old Dominion University's Office of Community Engagement, Aramark's Monarch Dining and the Five Points Community Farm Market in Norfolk, CSA @ ODU consists of a group of individuals who pledge their support to local farmers and the farm market through a subscription to purchase seasonal local produce.

Subscriptions are currently being sold for the fall season. The $220 per week subscription provides enough fruit and vegetables for 11 weeks of side dishes for a family of four, starting the week of Oct 2nd.

CSA @ ODU is open to anyone interested. For more information or questions, contact Community Engagement at connect@odu.edu or 683-7481.

Subscribers pay for the produce in advance, which provides the farmers the ability to market their crops during the off season and focus on farming during the growing season. They are also better able to plan crops with the knowledge that a portion of what they grow is already sold.

Throughout the fall, Five Points will deliver subscriptions to the Webb University Center every Friday. On Dec. 4, Aramark and Community Engagement will host a thank you social for subscribers, featuring appetizers and beverages, and recipe suggestions from Aramark and local chefs interested in sustainable food.

Benefits of the program include providing subscribers the ability to learn about new types of produce, and what grows well in this climate; meeting others in the community interested in fresh, local food; creating a sense of social responsibility and stewardship of local land; keeping dollars in the community and helping support regional food production; and putting a face to local farmers, increasing understanding of how, where and by whom our food is grown.

For more information on the CSA @ ODU program, visit: http://www.odu.edu/partnerships/community/programs/csa.